2 motorbike riders hurt in Luna, Apayao crash

 
LUNA, Apayao - Two men from Pudtol town were rushed to Far North Luzon General Hospital and Training Center (FNLGHTC) here in Barangay Quirino due to vehicular accident Oct. 20.
    A witness said the incident happened around 3:47 p.m. in front of Rural Bank of Angeles - Luna Branch.
    The Honda XRM 125 ridden by two male individuals, the witness said, was overs peeding and attempted to overtake a white Mitsubishi Delica Van, but lost control when the motorcycle hit its bumper, causing them to collide with a maroon pickup truck traversing the opposite lane.
    The driver of the pickup, Joseph Abugan, 29, from Santa Marcela said he and his pregnant wife were driving home when the incident happened.
    “Naggapu kami didiay DepEd ta adda ilak-lakad mi kenni misis ko, kalpasan na napan kami Philhealth, agawid kamin, naka-in innayad kami ta masikog ni baket ko, eight months. Mapan kami kuma payla ag-grocery, ngem bigla nga adda naipasiruk nga motor iti lugan, imbag ta Haan nadangran ni baket ko,” he said.
    He added he tried to avoid the motorcycle, but the incident happened so fast.
    His wife, he added, was shocked with the incident.
    Meantime, the two male occupants of the XRM 125 sustained injuries and were brought by police and fire officers to the FNLGHTC.
One of them was reportedly the barangay chairman in Pudtol.

Laborer, 44 drowns during picnic in Piat

By Christian Malnawa

PIAT, Cagayan – A 44-year-old man recently drowned at  Chico River while swimming while under the influence of alcohol.
Victim ‘alias’ Tomi, 44, was dead when he was pulled out of the water a few hours after he drowned.
    He was from Upper Bicutan, Taguig City, and worked here as construction worker.
    The victim along with his workmates was reportedly at the river in Barangay Dugayung, Piat for a picnic when the incident transpired.
    They decided to go for a swim, but moments later, the victim ended up in a deep part of the river without being noticed by his companions.    
    He was later searched by his companions but was found lifeless a few hours later.
    The victim’s remains was brought to Taguig City by the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan (TFLC)-Tuao Station, the Cagayan Provincial Information Office reported.
 

2 injured in Tanudan road mishap on BSKE

TANUDAN, Kalinga – Two riders were injured in vehicular traffic accident here during the just concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
    The road crash happened around 12:40 p.m. on Oct. 30 along the Tanudan-Banawe Road at Sitio Pagugo, Dupligan.
Capt. Florand Sim, Tanudan acting chief of police, told media a utility vehicle wagon came from Tabuk City and headed to Upper Tanudan when it attempted to overtake a motorcycle at the sharp curve portion of the road.
    This resulted in the vehicle, driven by Christalyn Masa-ao, 35, who was said to be on her way to cast her vote, crashing against a Honda 125 motorcycle traversing the opposite lane.
    “While on the way, ditoy Pagugo idiay sharp curve portion, in-overtake an na daytoy adda sangu na and eksakto metten nga paumay diay motor (Honda 125). So nagbinnangga daytoy motor and lugan,” he said.
    The rider of the Honda 125 identified by the police as Marlon Pengad, 35, and his back rider, Sheryl Pengad sustained injuries and were brought to Kalinga Provincial Hospital.
    The former, as mentioned by Sim, was admitted but in stable condition while the latter was released from the hospital.

    The acting chief of police, meanwhile said  no election-related violence was observed in Tanudan during the casting of votes for the BSK elections.  

Read more...

Cagayan governor hit over 'teachers doing nothing' remarks

The governor of Cagayan has drawn flak over his remarks suggesting that teachers seem to "enjoy" doing nothing and yet still get paid with the COVID-19 pandemic cutting abrupt the previous school year and sending many to work from home.
Gov. Manuel Mamba had told DZRH in an interview that it was unfair to continue giving out salaries yet teachers are not "reciprocating" the work. 
    "Sa tingin ko nage-enjoy sila. Nagsu-sweldo [pero] walang ginagawa," he said on Saturday, October 3. "Dapat 'wag na sila magreklamo dahil sa totoo I think na mayroon tayong law na 'pag ganitong work-from-home matatanggalan naman ng kaunti dahil ang dami nating nase-save." 

    (I think they're enjoying this because they get paid even without doing anything. They should no longer complain because I think there is a law that says during work-from-home there could be pay cuts as we save a lot.) 
    "There's something na kailangan pag-aralan dito but anyway, umaasa rin kami na mas lalo pa paiigtingin ng teachers. Kailangan lang naman i-reciprocate nila na they go out of their way para makatulong sa mga estudyante sa mga bahay-bahay," Mamba added. 
    (This has to be studied but we are hoping that teachers will improve. They only need to go out of their way to help students in their homes.) 
    Such did not sit well with teachers, who spent the previous months adjusting to teaching through online with classes resuming this October.
    "They do not get paid for writing the modules, not compensated for the higher cost of internet and electricity bills, they make do with their cramped spaces," the Council of Teachers and Staff of Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (COTESCUP) said in a statement.
    Teachers are also the first to be let go when schools close, as well taking the task of being COVID-19 frontliners in distributing modules to communities, they added. 
    "[Mamba], explaining his insensitive words to teachers, will hardly get the cooperation and respect of this massive sector, whom he described earlier as "enjoying" the situation of the pandemic because "they get paid while doing nothing," COTESCUP said. 
    The group is composed of different faculty unions from universities such as Mapua, Siliman, Lyceum, FEU, CEU, La Salle and San Beda, to name a few. 
    Mamba has since apologized for the furor, but tried to justify his remarks as challenging teachers to show "our people that we are still relevant despite the fact na walang face-to-face for so many months now."
    "If you misunderstood me, I'm sorry," he said in an interview recording provided by Bombo Radyo Tugegarao. "Mataas po ang tingin ko sa edukasyon basically because I am a creation of education."
    Classes have begun for some 24.75 million students this week, with the anticipated problems of poor internet service and availability of gadgets turning into a reality. 
    The education department has issued guidelines giving out a P1,000 incentive for teachers during World Teachers' Day, as well as P500 for medical assistance. 

Read more...

Quirino has 2nd Covid case; 2 from Isabela

By Oliver T. Baccay

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- Quirino province now has second COVID-19 positive case as confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH) region 2 today along with two others from Isabela province.

The second case from Quirino province is CV 522, a 31-year-old male from Maddela, Quirino. He is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Saudi Arabia who arrived in the province last Aug. 4. He is asymptomatic and now at the LGU's quarantine facility.

CV 521 is a 38-year-old from the City of Ilagan who is a locally stranded individual from Taguig City. He is asymptomatic and now at the city's quarantine facility.

CV 523 is a 51-year-old male from Santiago City, Isabela who doesn't have any to travel history but was exposed to CV 425. He is also asymptomatic and now at the city's quarantine facility.

Regional Director Rio Magpantay said the contact tracing for the new cases is now being undertaken by concerned officials and assigned contract tracers in the ground.

He also reminded public to stay at home and to always practice the minimum health standards set by the government to avoid being infected with the virus.

As of writing, there are already 527 total cases confirmed by DOH in which 518 are the actual cases for region 2 while nine for National Capital Region. (MDCT/OTB/PIA 2-Cagayan)

Read more...

DOH: Five new Region 2 Covid cases; 4 in Kalinga

By Oliver T. Baccay

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- The Dept. of Health Region 2 has confirmed five new COVID-19 positive cases in the region and four others who are natives of Cagayan province but were infected in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

In the latest report of DOH region 2, four of the new cases are from Isabela province while one from Cagayan.

The new cases are: CV 524 who is a 40-year-old female from Aurora Isabela; CV 525, a 27-year-old male from Alicia, Isabela; CV 526, a 47-year-old female from Rizal, Cagayan; CV 527, a 26-year-old female from San Guillermo, Isabela; and CV 528, a 38-year-old female from Echague Isabela.

Regional Director Rio L. Magpantay said all the newly confirmed cases are locally stranded individuals and asymptomatic except for CV 524 who experienced cough. 

He also said three of them are at their respective LGU quarantine facility while the two others are on home quarantine.

The DOH also confirmed that there were four Cagayanos who tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a religious gathering in Tabuk City, Kalinga on July 27.

These four cases include a 41-year-old male from Amulung town, followed by a 49-year-old female from Baggao, a 50-year-old female from Alcala and a 55-year-old female, another from Baggao. 

Magpantay said the four cases were exposed to a positive case in the said city. After their swab tests yielded positive results on Aug. 12, they were no longer given permission to return immediately in their respective towns in Cagayan.

As of writing, they are now at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center last August 15 for appropriate medical attention.

With this, there are already 536 total cases confirmed by DOH in which 523 are the actual cases for region 2, nine for National Capital Region and four for Cordillera Administrative Region.  (MDCT/OTB/PIA 2-Cagayan) 

Read more...

DOH: 309 Covid cases up in Cagayan Valley

By Oliver T. Baccay

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan --The Department of Health Region 2 has recorded 309 confirmed cases of Covid-19 cases following three additional cases Wednesday.

Dr. Rio L. Magpantay, DOH regional director, said new cases include an Overseas Filipino Worker, locally stranded individual and one who didn’t have travel history but with symptoms.

CV 305 is a 37-year-old female from Santiago City. She is an OFW from Hongkong who arrived in the country last July 12 and traveled to Isabela last July 17.

She was found asymptomatic and now at the city quarantine facility.

CV 306 is a 34-year-old male from Lasam, Cagayan, LSI who travelled to Caloocan City.

He is also asymptomatic and now at local quarantine facility.

CV 307 is a 58-year-old male from Gamu, Isabela who had no travel history.

However, the patient experienced fever, difficulty of breathing and has pneumonia. He is now at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

Magpantay said contact tracing is now being conducted by the concerned health and local officials in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police. -- PIA 2 

Read more...

Cagayan Valley, Bulacan Covid cases alarmingly up

CAGAYAN VALLEY has recorded a spike in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases.

The Dept. of Health regional office said new cases were recorded in Alcala, Cagayan as well as in Naguilian, Quezon, San Agustin, San Isidro and San Manuel in Isabela Tuesday.

An overseas Filipino worker (OFW), a native of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya who arrived at the Clark International Airport from Qatar, was quarantined in an isolation facility in Pampanga.

A resident of Rizal, Cagayan was quarantined at the We Heal as One Center-Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The DOH said eight cases, mostly returning locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and OFWs, were being added to the list of patients in Cagayan Valley everyday.

There are now 177 cases in the region from only 120 on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Bulacan recorded 49 new cases on Monday.

The provincial health office said Malolos recorded 12 cases; Balagtas, eight; Bulakan, six; Marilao and Bocaue, four each; San Jose del Monte and Calumpit, three each; Obando and Hagonoy, two each, and Meycauayan City, Sta. Maria, Pandi, San Rafael and Baliwag, one each.

The confirmed cases in Bulacan has risen to 689. At least 405 are active cases while 246 have recovered.

Almost 36 percent of the confirmed Covid-19 cases in Bulacan were from San Jose del Monte with 136; Marilao, 78; Malolos, 61, and Meycauayan, 50.

In Pangasinan, Bani Mayor Gwen Palafox-Yamamoto barred non-residents from entering the town after a visitor from Zambales was found infected with the virus.

Yamamoto placed Zones 4 and 7 in Barangay San Vicente on lockdown and lifted it Friday. -- By Raymund Catindig, Ramon Efren Lazaro and Eva Visperas

Read more...

Truck hits pedestrians in Cagayan; two dead

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- Two students died after a runaway truck plowed into pedestrians in Barangay Dagupan, Lal-lo, Cagayan on Wednesday.

Jomer Taniedo, 19, and Alden Hidalgo, 18, died at the scene, according to Senior M/Sgt. Gerardo Conde Jr.

Truck driver Elmer Taguba, 43, was arrested.

Conde said the victims had just helped carry two motorcycle riders, who were involved in an accident, to an ambulance when they were hit by the truck. – Raymund Catindig

Read more...

Cagayan logs 2 new Covid cases

By Liezle Basa-Inigo

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- Cagayan recorded two new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday after almost a month and a half without a positive case in the province, said the Provincial Health Office‘s (PHO) Dr. Carlos Certina.

The first case was a 21-year-old woman, a resident of Barangay. Naguilian, Lal-lo who came from Cordon, Isabela on May 27.

The second case was a 30-year-old man, resident of Barangay Tupang, Alcala who returned home from Pasay City, Metro Manila on June 8.

Both are now in the quarantine areas of Lal-lo and Alcala and are set to be transferred to Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CMC).

Meanwhile, Region 2 (Cagayan Valley region) has now recorded 37 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Cagayan has 19, while Isabela province has recorded 11 cases, following a new case reported Monday in Echague, Isabela.

              Nueva Vizcaya recorded seven confirmed cases and one death.

              Quirino and Batanes remain COVID-19 free.

Read more...

DOST sets e-commerce webinars for enterprises

By Oliver T. Baccay

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan --With the need to adapt with the new normal, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 2 has launched its webinars on electronic-commerce (e-commerce) for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Regional Director Engineer Sancho Mabborang said the webinars aim to encourage the MSMEs to shift into online marketing and product promotion.

"We encouraged them to establish their e-commerce portals so that they can do business online. This is the trend. This is the new normal so they need to adapt with this system," Mabborang said.

He said, though there are already some who have already started online marketing, there are still those who haven't tried and will establish their respective e-commerce portals.

"I encouraged not only those on the food industry to follow the same. Even those in the auto supply, metals & engineering services, they can do e-commerce too as this is the trend," Mabborang added.

Aside from this, DOST continue to give training online to interested entrepreneurs. He also encouraged them to venture on the production of the essential products in this pandemic phenomenon like face masks, alcohols and others within the standard of the health department.

He also said they are yet to conceptualize intervention for the beneficiaries of the "Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pagasa" program. (OTB/Cagayan)

Read more...

PNP’s all-women force to focus on crime, insurgency campaign

By Liezle Basa Inigo

CAMP MARCELO A. ADDURU, TUGUEGARAO CITY – The first ever all-women City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was launched by the Police Regional Office 2 in its efforts to uphold women empowerment in the police force.

Regional Director PRO2 Brig. Gen. Angelito Casimiro and Col. Juan Aggacid, City Director, SCPO, led the ceremonial turn-over and launching of the CMFC which will be headed by Maj. Abigail Bautista.

Casimiro said the first ever all-women CMFC is tasked mainly to focus on the conduct of anti-criminality and insurgency campaign, beat patrol, and carry out information advocacy program and initiatives.

“Kayo ay mga frontliners na may espesyal na misyon, but, let us not stop here. You have to continue honing your skills and updating your knowledge for you to be able to render more effective and efficient public service. Dapat gawin ninyong inspirasyon na kabilang kayo sa all-women City Mobile Force Company to earn your place not only as public servants but also as women whose hearts cater and minds matter,” he added.

Bautista expressed gratitude for entrusting her with the leadership of the CMFC. Members of the CMFC will undergo training on Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Search and Rescue operations, Civil Disturbance Management (CDM), and Internal Security Operations refresher courses.

The Santiago City CMFC will occupy the old SCPO Building which is co-located in Santiago City Police Office.

Read more...

2 nabbed for Cagayan village chief’s slay

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Two municipal government employees in Calamaniugan town were arrested Thursday in connection with the killing of a barangay captain on Tuesday.

Police identified the suspects as Geronimo Joaquin, 39, and Carlo Aggabao, 27.

Eranio Caleda, chairman of Barangay Julian Olivas, was manning a quarantine checkpoint when he was shot.

He reportedly identified Joaquin as his assailant before he died.

Police records show Joaquin was also tagged in the killing of two other people last year and has a pending warrant of arrest for murder in Nueva Ecija.

Besides politics, probers are eyeing a row in the distribution of cash assistance under the social amelioration program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development as the motive for the killing.

Cagayan village chief  slain in shooting

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — A barangay captain in Calamaniugan town was shot dead on Tuesday.

Police said Eranio Caleda, 46, was installing a light bulb attached to a generator at a quarantine checkpoint when the shooting occurred at around 8:55 p.m.

Caleda died while being treated in a hospital.

Probers are eyeing a row in the distribution of cash assistance to residents affected by the enhanced community quarantine as the motive for the killing.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is distributing P5,500 in cash assistance in Cagayan Valley, which is marred by complaints from those not included on the list.

Read more...

Baguio under ECQ until May 15

BAGUIO CITY was included in the Covid-19 lockdown until May 15.  

BAGUIO CITY -- This summer capital will be under enhanced community quarantine until May 15.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong bared this Saturday, adding

                 Benguet was also included on the list of areas deemed ”high-risk” for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection based on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

He said Baguio, though a chartered city, is geographically part of Benguet.

Magalong said sectoral planning activities on a post-quarantine recovery and transition plan would proceed as scheduled.

He said eight new cases, including two doctors, a nurse and a clerk at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) were recorded in the city on Saturday.

The two other patients are overseas Filipino workers from the US, an employee at the Baguio Country Club and an eight-day-old infant. 

                 Magalong placed Barangay Dominican, Woodsgate Subdivision Camp 7, Sto. Tomas proper and the BGHMC compound on lockdown while contact tracing is ongoing.

“We will start disinfecting wards and temporarily stop admissions. We will communicate with other hospitals on this matter. We will continue with the triage,” BGHMC chief Ricardo Ruñez said.

Twenty-five of the 34 COVID-19 cases in the Cordilleras are from Baguio City.

New COVID cases in Cagayan Valley

Meanwhile, Cagayan Valley reported two new cases Saturday. The patients are two nurses at the Southern Isabela Medical Center in Santiago City.

                Hospital chief Ildefonso Costales said the nurses were exposed to a medical technologist who has recovered from the disease.

An elderly resident of Barangay Calitlitan, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.

The patient was brought to the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital in Bambang town last week after manifesting flu-like symptoms then transferred to the Regional Trauma Hospital in Bayambang.

Cagayan Valley was declared COVID-free after its remaining patient has recovered on April 21. The region recorded 27 patients at the time. Twenty-six patients have recovered and one died.

In Bulacan, a patient from San Jose del Monte City has recovered while another case was recorded on Friday.

There are now 105 cases in the province, with 24 deaths and 13 recoveries.

The Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center will not be closed even though 55 of its employees have tested positive for COVID-19, Cesar Cassion, Department of Health (DOH)-Central Luzon regional director, said.

Cassion said 312 hospital employees tested negative for the virus while 655 others are waiting for their test results. – With Raymund Catindig, Ramon Efren Lazaro andDesacada, Ding Cervantes

Read more...

Cagayan Valley now COVID-free

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Cagayan Valley is now free of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after its remaining patient has recovered.

               The regional epidemiology surveillance unit of the Department of Health (DOH) said the patient, a medical technologist from Cauayan City who was confined at the Southern Isabela Medical Center in Santiago City, tested negative for the virus for the second time on Tuesday. 

The DOH said the patient was exposed to a doctor who recovered last week.

Another infected health worker in San Agustin, Isabela recovered on Monday.

Cagayan Valley reported a total of 27 cases, with one death.

Isabela recorded seven cases; Cagayan, 14, and Nueva Vizcaya, five.

No new case was reported in the region in the past 15 days.

Batanes and Quirino have not recorded any case.

Ilocos Sur’s two patients and one in Ilocos Norte recovered last week. No new case had since been reported.

In Bulacan, provincial health officer Jocelyn Gomez said Donya Remedios Trinidad, Plaridel and Hagonoy towns remain free of COVID-19.

The number of those infected in Bulacan hit 103 with two new cases reported on Monday. Twenty-four patients died while five have recovered.

In Pangasinan, four patients – a 73-year-old and a 58-year-old women from Lingayen; a 53-year-old woman from Urdaneta City, and a 71-year-old man from Bayambang – have been cleared of the virus.

At least 21 patients have recovered in Pangasinan. Six others remain confined in hospitals while nine died.

At the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), another nurse tested positive for COVID-19.

The 22-year-old patient, a resident of La Trinidad, Benguet, is the fourth infected health worker at the BGHMC.

A doctor and another health worker in Baguio City have earlier recovered from COVID-19. – With Victor Martin, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Cesar Ramirez

Read more...

CL, Cagayan Valley roads ‘trouble-free’ during holidays

National roads in Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley Region were trouble-free during the holidays as several motorist assistance teams were deployed around the country for the annual revelry, the Department of Public Works and Highways said  Wednesday.

DPWH Region III Director Roseller Tolentino said the close monitoring of major road situations conducted by 14 district engineering offices in the region “resulted [in] smooth traffic all over the region.”

Tolentino, who ordered a six-hour interval reporting, said critical and traffic-prone roads remained accident-free except for isolated cases of minor engine troubles and flat tires, which were quickly attended to by the on-duty personnel.

The director attributed the safe exodus of revelers during the 2019 holidays and during the onslaught of typhoon “Ursula” to the Lakbay Alalay Teams that were positioned along major thoroughfares in the region’s seven provinces.

“We activated our motorist assistance teams beginning Dec. 23, 2019. Our District Engineering Officers instantly complied and facilitated the unified manning of their stations 24/7. Our qualified personnel were there to assist motorists and pedestrians who may encounter trouble while on the road,” Tolentino said in a statement.

He also said traffic was smooth throughout the season, making trips leading to churches and tourism sites easy and comfortable.

The DPWH Lakbay Alalay stations will man key roads in the region until Thursday.

Meanwhile, interim Cagayan Valley Regional Director Loreta Malaluan commended the effort and sacrifice of maintenance personnel who rendered overtime service during the holidays in order to ensure road safety along national highways.

During the holidays, Malaluan ordered her personnel to conduct routine maintenance activities in their area of responsibility. “This is our gift to the public and our way of making our presence felt, our roles are still the same, Christmas Day and every other day of the year,” she said.

“Maintenance workers of district engineering offices were working overtime and established Lakbay Alalay operations during the course of the holiday season from Dec. 20, 2019 to Jan. 2, 2020 along critical national highway road sections in Cagayan Valley region.”

Read more...

5 dead in Cagayan Valley, 2 in La Union road accidents

Northern Luzon holidays death toll 

By Raymund Catindig and Eva Visperas

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Five persons died and seven others were injured in road accidents in Cagayan Valley on Wednesday.

This, while a couple died while their two sons were injured when their motorcycle was hit by a bus in Barangay San Pablo in Balaoan La Union Monday night.

In the Cagayan incidents, police said a motorcycle driven by Lorenzo Infante, 27, collided with a Toyota Tamaraw in Barangay Victoria, Aglipay, Quirino.

Jay-jay Banigued, 27, and his companion Leonard Gonzales, 31, were racing against another motorcycle when their vehicles collided in Barangay Victoria, also in Aglipay.

The two fell from their motorcycle and were ran over by a Toyota Innova.

The driver of the other motorcycle, Jay-ar Ambatali, 28; his 10-month-old son Junior, and partner Analyn Santiago, 34, were injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.

In Cagayan, Perfecto Martin, 61, died when his tricycle fell from the highway while avoiding an incoming vehicle in Barangay Sto. Domingo in Tuao town.

Martin’s son Lorenzo, 30; Felicidad, 83, and Ren-Ren, 2, also surnamed Martin, were injured.

In Isabela, a man who has yet to be identified died when his motorcycle rammed an electric post in Barangay Abut, Quezon town. His companion Daniel Jacob Baculyo, 17, remains unconscious in a hospital.

Meanwhile, in Balaoan, La Union, a couple died while their two sons were injured when their motorcycle was hit by a bus in Barangay San Pablo in this town Monday night.

Robert Laude was pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital, where his wife Edraline died while being treated.

Their sons, Patrick and Vinzon, whose ages were not immediately available, remained confined at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando City.

Initial investigation showed the vehicles were both heading south when a Viron Transit bus rear-ended the motorcycle.

Read more...

Cagayan, Isabela floods death toll hits seven

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — The death toll due to flooding in Isabela and Cagayan since last week has increased to seven.

This, as a 30-year-old overseas Filipino worker swept away by floodwaters in Roxas, Isabela on Dec. remained missing, authorities said.

Roderick Palapuz, who had just returned from Saudi Arabia, and his companion were pushing logs submerged in floodwater to higher ground in Barangay Simimbaan when the incident occurred.

Palapuz’s companion managed to swim to safety.

Two others were reported missing at presstime.

Ilagan City Mayor Jose Marie Diaz suspended classes anew on Tuesday as several villages remained submerged in floodwater.

Pamplona Mayor Estrelita Ancheta-Aguinaldo said the road linking her town to Ilocos Norte is still not passable due to landslides.

The bodies of Rick Mar Serame, 30, and Mario Parandit, who drowned in Barangay Allasitan and Bidduang, respectively, in Pamplona, Cagayan  were recovered on Sunday, town police chief Capt. Joel Labasan said.

On Dec. 7, the body of farmer Hilario Bersamin, 63, who was swept away by floodwaters, was recovered in a corn field in Barangay Sto. Tomas.

Three others drowned in flashfloods in Tumauini and Ilagan City in Isabela and Linao, Aparri.

Rosendo Calayan, 71, was gored to death by his carabao when he tried to pull the animal to a higher ground in Barangay Linao Norte in this city.

Authorities said a four-year-old boy who was trapped in his house that was buried in a landslide in Barangay Kalayukay, Luna, Apayao on Thursday also remains missing.

Thousands remain in evacuation centers in Cagayan and Isabela.

Not due to illegal logging

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the flashfloods in Cagayan and Isabela were not due to illegal logging.

“There is no evidence of freshly cut or illegally cut trees. These are trees damaged in previous strong typhoons that hit the region,” DENR-Cagayan Valley regional director Antonio Abawag said, referring to logs and trees swept away by floodwaters.

Abawag said the DENR is conducting an inventory of these logs and uprooted trees.

He said the Regional Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force has intensified its campaign against forest destruction in coordination with police and military personnel.

Abawag said they would investigate those behind illegal logging in the region.

Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba had earlier said illegal logging thrives in his province because it has the blessing of local government, police and DENR officials. – With a report from Victor Martin  

Read more...

DPWH Cagayan upgrades regional Apayao linkage

By Liezle Inigo

LASAM, Cagayan -- The 180-km road section along Ayaga-Sta. Marcela- Flora-Lasam Road in this municipality is now fully-concreted.

This was reported last week by Dept. of Public Works and Highways-Cagayan Second District Engineering Office saying, it completed its inter-regional road linkage between Region II and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) through the Province of Apayao.

District Engineer Lorna B. Asutan, believed that the newly-completed road will improve mobility of transportation and the accessibility to various goods and services.

This will also benefit the residents in the locale and the businessmen.

The newly-upgraded road project connects the town of Lasam in Cagayan to Sta. Marcela in Apayao.

“The completion of this project will help in bringing development opportunities that will uplift the socio-economic status of the residents,” De Asuten emphasized.

And added that the road will also shorten travel time from Lasam, Cagayan to the different places in the Apayao Province,” she continued.

Aside from the concreting of the said tertiary road which amounted to P62.265 million pesos, the project also included the installation of drainage system and slope protection structures.

The project was funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2018.

Read more...

Jilted lover murders niece he was courting

Man shot dead in Tabuk City

TABUK CITY -- Basingan Dallapas, 24, was declared dead on arrival at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital, where his brother Belac, 21, died while being treated. The victims were resting under a tree in front of a convenience store in Barangay Centro, Tabuk when unidentified motorcycle-riding men opened fire on July 1.

Worker stabbed dead by drinking buddy

By Erwin Beleo

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union – A man was declared dead on arrival by attending physician in La Union Medical Center after he was fatally stabbed by his drinking buddy in Barangay San Julian West, Agoo, La Union on Monday night.

Chief Inspector Silverio Ordinado, Jr., La Union’s police information officer, identified the victim as Jerry Fajardo, of legal age and a construction worker who resides at the incident area, and the suspect as Manny Ambalisa, 21, native of Sta. Clara Quezon, Nueva Ecija.

These two persons were drinking liquor with some others until heated arguments ensued. Fajardo was stabbed twice on his body with the use of a kitchen knife.

The victim was rushed to LU medical center, however, Fajardo was declared DOA.

The suspect Ambalisa was arrested by the Agoo police.

Jilted lover murders niece he was courting

By Raymund Catindig 

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- A 52-year-old married man stabbed dead the 22-year-old niece he was courting.

Investigators found that his niece, Rica Villanueva, reported her uncle’s sexual advances and filed a complaint before the council of Barangay Mungo, Tuao town in Cagayan last Monday. 

This allegedly led to a quarrel between the suspect, Rommel Payumo, and his wife.

The fuming Payumo then reportedly barged into Villanueva’s house and stabbed her several times at around 3:50 p.m. 

Villanueva died on the spot as Payumo fled on a motorcycle.

Read more...

22 Cagayan Valley police chiefs relieved

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – A total of  22 police chiefs in Cagayan Valley were relieved from their posts over their “unsatisfactory” performance in the implementation of Project Double Barrel, Chief Superintendent Gilbert Sosa, Cagayan Valley police director, said.

Sosa identified the police officials as Superintendents Engelbert Soriano (Cauayan City) and Manuel Bringas (Ilagan City); Chief Inspectors Pilarito Mallilin (San Mateo), Mario Fajardo (Luna) and Edgardo Esteban (Maconacon); and Senior Inspectors Ruby Capinpin (Roxas), Prospero Agonoy (Quirino), Ben Bumanglag (Delfin Albano), Jonathan Binayug (Palanan), Aladine Revocal (San Pablo), Ignacio Layugan (Dinapigue) and Richard Limbo (Divilacan) of the Isabela police. In Cagayan, Chief Inspector Alvin Mabazza (Alcala) as well as Senior Inspectors Antonio Palattao (Allacapan), Eugenio Catubag (Rizal), Ronald Balod (Sta.Praxedes), Mario Maraggun (Calayan) and Christopher Danao (Buguey) were relieved from their posts.


Chief Inspectors Larry Pingkihan (Kasibu) and Jeffry Bulong (Ambaguio) as well as Senior Inspector RudilBassit (Kayapa) of the Nueva Vizcaya police were sacked along with  Senior Inspector Alex Orbillo of Nagtipunan, Quirino.

‘Zero accomplishment’

In Aurora, Senior Superintendent Danilo Florentino, provincial police chief, was placed on floating status for allegedly posting “zero accomplishment” against illegal drugs.

Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, appointed Senior Superintendent Fidel Drapesa as Aurora police chief in an acting capacity.

“He has virtually no accomplishment to speak of,” Aquino said of Florentino. “He is the weakest link among the provincial directors. His sins have piled up so I have to relieve him.”

Aquino said Florentino also failed to provide a rehabilitation center for drug dependents in the province.

Read more...

House helper nabbed for selling own baby

TUGUEGARAO CITY – A 31-year-old house helper was arrested in an entrapment operation while trying to sell her baby in Barangay Soldiers’ Hill in this city on Jan. 6.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation arrested Grace Alegado, a native of Antique.

NBI regional director Hector Geologo said concerned citizens tipped them off that Alegado planned to sell the baby for P15,000.

Alegado told police she wanted to sell the baby, who was fathered by her lover in Apayao province, to hide her infidelity.

She said she gave birth last Dec. 13 at the Cagayan Valley Regional Medical Center.

Read more...