PTFoMS tags carnival operator as gunman in P’panga journalist’s slay

ARAYAT, Pampanga – The Presidential Task Force on Media Security announced on Thursday that the suspected gunman of a tabloid columnist and his companion in Pampanga has been identified.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, who co-chairs the PTFoMS, said the gunman was identified as Armando Maglaya Velasco, who works for a local carnival operator in Barangay Cacutud in Arayat.

Citing a report from PTFoMS Executive Director Joel Egco, Andanar said the gunman had initially sent surrender feelers through his wife.

“I commend the Task Force, the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) Region 3 and the Arayat Police headed by Lt. Col. Dale Soliba for a job well done. This proves that this administration will stop at nothing to hold perpetrators of violence against media workers to account,” Andanar said in a statement.

“They can run and hide but the long arm of the law will eventually catch up on them,” the Palace official official said.

On Oct. 20, journalist Jupiter Gonzales and his companion, Christopher Tiongson, were shot dead inside their car after what appeared to be a heated altercation with the gunman.

Tiongson was killed on the spot, while Gonzales died before reaching Arayat District Hospital.

Andanar said closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) footage showed Velasco attempting to grab the steering wheel from the wounded driver in an attempt to commandeer the vehicle.

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Cordillera cops ordered: Up operations against illegal small-scale mining

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office – Cordillera ordered police to strictly intensify operations against illegal small-scale mining activities in the region as the stop order  issued by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu last year remains  in effect.

Cordillera police director Brig. General Ephraim Israel Dickson said Cordillera police, in coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, should strengthen their campaign and operation against all illegal small scale mining operations which is still being done covertly.

Recently, the Philippine Military Academy Headquarters Support Group apprehended and brought to the Tuba Municipal Police Station at least four individuals for small scale mining activities at Basa, Camp 6, Camp 4 in Tuba, Benguet while patrolling the area.

At least 30 sacks of gold ore including mining equipment were also confiscated from the four.

           The Itogon Municipal Police Station earlier arrested four individuals who were caught in the act of illegally processing gold at Goldfield, Poblacion, Itogon.

MGB-CAR Mine Management Division Chief Engineer Alfredo Genetiano reported during the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee meeting  that  technically, there is only one legal small scale mine in the Cordillera region but  is not yet in operation and all other small scale mining operation are illegal.

The Benguet Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board approved and gave a permit to the Minahang Bayan applied by the Loacan Itogon Pocket Miners Association (Lipma) in Loacan, Itogon.

However, the   group cannot operate yet since they are still applying for an Environmental Compliance Certificate which will be issued by the DENR, he explained.

MGB Legal Officer Francisco Bilog said police do not need to be deputized to conduct operations and even arrest those involved in small scale mining operations since the activities are illegal in nature.

Genetiano thanked the Cordillera cops and other law enforcement agencies who have been actively conducting activities to monitor and stop operation of illegal small scale mines in the region.

In September last year, Environment Secretary Cimatu banned small-scale mining activities in Cordillera after a massive landslide triggered by Typhoon Ompong killed more than 100 people, mostly pocket miners, in Itogon.

            The National Task Force Mining Challenge composed of PNP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement, government agencies and even local government units had been established to crack down on illegal mining operations. -- JDP/RMC- PIA CAR

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Retired police officer shot dead in Ilocos

By Mar T. Supnad

STA MARIA, Ilocos Sur-A 61-year-old policeman was shot dead in broad daylight here Tuesday afternoon along the Poblacion highway. Police identified the victim as Reynaldo D. Castro, retired PNP officer and resident here of Barangay Baliw Laud.

Suspects remain unidentified.

Investigation conducted by the police disclosed the victim was sitting at the west bound lane of said provincial road when he was shot successively by unidentified suspects.

The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds on parts of his body and was rushed by his son Ryan Castro to Ilocos Sur District Hospital in Narvacan town but was pronounced dead by the attending physician.

The incident was immediately flashed to nearby PNP stations for the conduct of dragnet operation to arrest suspects.

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Notorious Korean prisoner escapes in Tarlac restaurant

Gov. Pineda: P300,000 reward for his arrest

By Nelson Bolos

TARLAC CITY --  A “notorious” South Korean national detained in Pampanga Provincial Jail for killing 3 fellow Koreans escaped from his five guards in a restaurant here Tuesday around 10 a.m.

Lt. Col Joel Mendoza, this city’ police chief said Park Wang Yeol, 41, escaped through the ventilation window of the comfort room of Julia’s Kambingan in Barangay San Rafael after attending a hearing at the Tarlac Regional Trial Court Branch 64.

This, as Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda offered P300,000 reward for the capture of Park.

Mendoza said Park is facing a charge of illegal possession of firearm here when he was caught carrying an unlicensed pistol during his arrest in Barangay Balete in 2016 for his triple murder case in Pampanga.

Park was brought at the court here to attend his arraignment on illegal possession of firearms by 5 Pampanga provincial jail guards PG1s Randy Sibug, Danilo Gonzales, Carlo Layag, Clarito Mendoza y Franco and Danilo Aragon, said Mendoza’s report.  

On their way back to Pampanga after the hearing, along with Park’s girlfriend Elvie Fider y Samson, 32, of Barangay Balete here, the group stopped at the Julia’s Kambingan to eat.

Upon entering the restaurant, Park went straight to the comfort room unescorted because the five guards and Fider sat on the table and ordered their food.

Minutes later, the guards discovered that Park escaped through the small window of the comfort room.  

“Meron din kaso  yan na (RA) 9165 o drugs sa Metro Manila, pero nakatakas din siya doon kaya notorious talaga siya,” Mendoza said.

Park, along with another Korean identified only as Kim, was accused of killing three other Koreans in a sugarcane field in the town of Bacolor, Pampanga.

According to a Korean newspaper, Park and Kim, apparently, took their victim’s cash of more than $2,000 and around $600,000 which were intended to be invested in a business.

As this developed, the five jail guards were charged by Pampanga Provincial Warden Col. Edwin Mangiliman (retired ) before a court here for infidelity in the custody of prisoner  and are now detained at the PPJ.

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IPMR to Ombudsman: Suspend Sadanga execs

 Mayor, town council file injunction vs NCIP 

By Rocky Ngalob and Gina Dizon

SADANGA, Mountain Province – Docketed as L-2019-10-876, recently installed Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of the Municipality of Sadanga, Jimmy Galingan, sought the preventive suspension of the Sadanga Municipal Council led by Mayor Gabino Ganggangan following their resolution barring the former from assuming his post as IPMR.

Galingan filed his complaint against the Municipal Council led by Ganggangan on Oct. 16 at the Office of the Ombudsman. 

He cited, among others that the Municipal Council led by Ganggangan, had utter disregard to the mandates of the law and rules and regulations, and legal orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities.

Underscoring on their oath which they took before they assumed in the Sanggunian, Galingan stated that, “the passage of the of the Sangguniang Bayan resolution, confirmed by the Mayor, is an utter disregard of the laws and legal orders which is contrary to what was solemnly sworn during their oath of office.”

According to the complaint submitted by Galingan, he said acts of the Municipal Council preventing the IPMR to exercise his mandate is unreasonable, unfair, oppressive and discriminatory. 

He said contention of the Municipal Council that the IPMR is no longer necessary inside a legislative district which is predominantly occupied by IPs, does not hold water and is grounded squarely on self-vested interest.  

“The ultimate objective of the Municipal Council led by Ganggangan is to prevent the duly selected IPRM from exercising his mandate as provided for by law. They are questioning his being an IPMR to the Sangguniang Bayan yet they do not question the assumption of other IPMRs within the municipality. There are other IPMRs serving at the barangays within the municipality of Sadanga yet the respondents choose only to prevent the complainant from assuming and performing his mandate as IPMR,” stated the complaint.   

Galingan’s complaint disclosed his supposed assumption of office, if not barred by the Municipal Council, will be his second term as IPMR wherein his first term was not contested by the former Municipal Council.

Two of the respondents and current councilors namely, Juliet Chinalpan and Rufino Chakiwag were members of the Municipal Council of Sadanga from 2016 to 2019.

“Why is it only now that they are challenging the IPMR in the Sangguniang wherein they could have done the same during their former tenure as councilors?  This would only show that there is a resounding self-vested interest in preventing me to sit as IPMR,” said Galingan.

On August 5, the Sadanga LGU, crafted and signed Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 45, Series of 2019, challenging the applicability of representation of the IPMR to the Sangguniang Bayan and declaring Municipal Council’s official stand not to accept or recognize Galingan in the municipal council of Sadanga, Mountain Province.

This prohibited Galingan from his function as the duly selected IPMR of the municipality.

On August 19, after having knowledge of the said resolution, the office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR), issued a notice of warning citing possible criminal, civil and administrative charges against the Municipal Council of Sadanga led by Ganggangan.

Such charges would be necessary to uphold and protect the rights and interest of the indigenous peoples (IPs).

The notice from NCIP-CAR likewise clarified issues and legal questions cited in the municipal resolution.

Following the notice, on Sept. 5, the office of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government – Cordillera Administrative Region (DILG-CAR, issued an advisory to all Local Elective Officials (LCE) to “strictly observe the mandate of Republic Act No. 8371, specifically, ICC/IP mandatory representation in the local Sanggunian, in accordance with the National Guidelines for the Mandatory Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Local Legislative Council…”.

However, despite the said notice and advisory by NCIP and DILG, the Sadanga Municipal Council, filed for a petition for Declaratory Relief before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) on October 10, 2019 with prayer for injunction against the NCIP, thus prompting Galingan resorting to the case file before the Ombudsman.

 Sadanga municipal officials led by Mayor Ganggangan and Vice Mayor Albert Ayao-ao filed a legal suit at the Regional Trial Court here challenging the application of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) provision mandating an IPMR in the municipal council.

This, as the temporary restraining order asked for by the petitioners was dispensed off during the Oct. 16 hearing with the statement of the NCIP legal counsel that NCIP does not have coercive powers to enjoin LGUs to place IMPRs in local government units’ legislative counsel, the petitioner’s legal counsel  Sergio Milan said in an interview.

Through their lawyer, Sadanga officials filed a petition seeking a declaratory relief and an injunction against the order of the NCIP for Sadanga officials to comply and allow the IPMR to sit in the council.

Earlier, Sadanga officials called for the non- application of the office of the IPMR to the Sangguniang Bayan in their resolution and the consequent Order of NCIP ordering Sadanga officials to allow the IPMR to sit in the municipal counsel as IPRA provides. 

In their SB resolution Number 45, series of 2019, the 10 members of the local legislative council chaired by Ayao-ao and backed by Ganggangan challenged the application of representation of the IPMR to the SB declaring their official stand not to accept or recognize such IPMR representation in the municipal council of Sadanga.

The Sadanga local government officials were of the position that the IPRA provision mandating an IPMR in the municipal council should not apply in LGUs like Sadanga where all the residents are 100% indigenous peoples.

Section 16 of the IPRA provides indigenous peoples (IPs) right to participate in decision-making which states, “ICCs/IPs (indigenous cultural communities/IPs) have the right to participate fully, if they so choose, at all levels of decision-making in matters which may affect their rights, lives and destinies through procedures determined by them as well as to maintain and develop their own indigenous political structures.

Consequently, the State shall ensure that the ICCs/IPs shall be given mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative councils.”

Milan said the injunction suit shall arrive at the correct interpretation of Section 16 of IPRA. The injunction case shall proceed during the next hearing on December.

"All the elected officials here from mayor to councilors are themselves indigenous so there is no need for an IPMR because the intent of that IPRA provision which is to guarantee that the IPs are represented in the council is already fully complied. The collective interests of the IP in Sadanga are already fully and ably represented by the current elected officials. This IPMR is just a duplicity and a surplusage resulting to waste of fund considering that Sadanga is a 5th class municipality which is already financially strained”, Ganggangan said.

The SB of Sadanga maintains that the real issue rests on whether there are a hundred percent IPs living in a locality concerned for an IPMR; and for the municipality of Sadanga populated by a hundred percent IPs should there be an IPMR allows a duplication of functions and unnecessary waste of taxpayers’ money to a municipality already suffering from financial constraint.

Sadanga’s population and residents is composed of a hundred percent indigenous peoples from the different sub tribes coming from its eight ethnolinguistic sub tribes namely iSacasacan, iDemang, iBelwang, iSaclit, iBekigan, iAnabel, iSadanga Poblacion, and iBetwagan.

The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and Memorandum Circular 2010-119 of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) calls for an IPMR to sit as a mandatory representative to IPs among indigenous cultural communities in local legislative councils who shall receive the same benefits and compensation as the other elected barangay kagawad, municipal councilors or provincial board members.

While this is so, some persons are asking why there are no IPMRs in some cities like Manila and Quezon City and provinces where IPs are the minority so to represent IP rights pursuant to IPRA.

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Suspect in slay of 3 Besao hunters nabbed in Abra

TUBO, Abra -- The lone suspect in the murder here of three Agawa tribesmen from Besao, Mountain Province, was arrested by police last week.

At the regional poollice headquarters in Camp Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet, Brig. Gen. Israel Dickson, Cordillera police chief, said Marlon Bacalli Batuli, of Sitio Baclingayan, Tabacda, Tubo, Abra, was arrested Oct. 17 in Barangay Kili, Tubo, on the strength of a warrant of arrest for multiple murder issued by Judge Elizabeth G Bringas, Branch 58, Bucay, Abra.

Dickson said Batuli was the region’s top most wanted person.

He had gone into hiding after confessing to the Tubo mayor he killed Jansen Gabaen, Ronnie Macayba, and Pedro Sauyen.

“It was exactly three months after I hosted peace talks to de-escalate tensions affecting five barangays of Besao that the gruesome murder happened,” Dickson said.

The three men went fishing at a river near the village of Baclingayan, Tubo, but failed to return home after a week.

A search party from Agawa that sought the help of barangay officials in nearby Kili, Tubo found the shot, stabbed, and mutilated bodies last May 27 near the river.

The murders created an uproar among tribespeople in Agawa and nearby barangays of Gueday, Lacmaan, Ambagiw, and Tamboan.

The Agawa tribe had been feuding the Baclingayan tribe, who anticipated revenge attacks, and had recalled home their children studying in other municipalities of Abra and Mountain Province.

Dickson called the Provincial Peace and Order Council Chairmen of Abra and Mountain Province, the Municipal Peace and Order Council of Tubo and Besao, and the leadership of the BPOC’s and Council of Elders of the affected barangays to a peace meeting last July 16 at Camp Bado Dangwa.

The feuding barangays vowed to patch up their differences and vowed to help solve the murder of the three tribesmen and bring justice to their families.

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Man, 61 buried alive in Ilocos

By Mar T. Supnad

STA. LUCIA, Ilocos Sur- A 61-year-old farmer was buried alive here Tuesday afternoon in Barangay Bani.

Police identified the victim as Pedrito C. Bal-ut Sr., resident of Bani.

Based on report reaching Sta. Lucia PNP station, the victim was buried alive by erosion.

Police said the victim and his companions Peejay Bal-ut and Alvin Togupen were digging a deep well in the barangay when the soil eroded. 

The sudden cave-in of soil buried the victim alive. 

The victim’s companions were reportedly shocked to see their companion being buried alive but could do nothing to rescue him.

Responding personnel of municipal risk reduction office rushed the victim to Ilocos Sur District Hospital-Sta. Lucia for medical treatment but was declared dead on arrival by attending physician Dr Jizzle Javillonar. 

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5 NPAs with platoon head surrender to Kalinga cops

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Five New People’s Army members including a commander recently surrendered to police here at Camp Juan Duyan. 

“Ka Diwa”, platoon leader of the Lejo Cawilan Command, “Komiteng Larangan Gerilya Baggas” of the NPA surrendered to Kalinga police led by Col. Job Russel Balaquit afternoon of Oct. 16 at Camp Duyan here in Tabuk City.

He was brought to the regional police headquarters in Camp Damgwa, La Trinidad, Benguet on Monday.

After the surrender of "Ka Diwa" on Oct. 16, four more members of the NPA voluntarily surrendered at Camp Duyan. 

Four members of Militia ng Bayan under NPA’s LCC identified through their aliases as Abag, Amaya, Berna and Yasel, all residents of Barangay Buaya, Balbalan, Kalinga, surrendered around 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 23. 

 Two of the returnees surrendered their firearms. Abag gave up a M1 US Garrand rifle loaded with two magazines and seven bullets while Amaya surrendered an AR18 assault rifle, two magazines and 25 ammunition while Berna and Yasel surrendered without firearms.

 Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, Police Regional Office Cordillera director said in a statement sent to the media Monday night he appreciates the courage of Ka Diwa to surrender despite the dangers he faces for leaving the group.

Dickson gave financial assistance to Ka Diwa to cover his expenses while waiting for eligibility to avail of the benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The program provides surrendering communist rebels a holistic package benefits that they can avail of such as livelihood, medical assistance, education, housing and legal service as the government’s show its sincerity to end the hostilities by encouraging NPA members to re-embrace the law and the government.

Police Maj. Carolina Lacuata, PROCor information officer, said “Ka Diwa” also surrendered a 7.62mm M60 machine gun without ammunition; two 60-mm mortars with three mortar ammunition; a homemade shotgun with three 12- gauge ammunition to show his intent to lead a new life, which will have a corresponding “amount”.

Lacuata said “Ka Diwa” surrendered to the police despite knowing that there are criminal cases filed against him.

She said the former NPA officer would rather face the charges than continue living in hiding.

Ka Diwa has warrants of arrest for attempted murder with a recommended bail of P200,000 and another case for four counts of attempted murder with a recommended bail of P120,000 for each count.

Ka Diwa” reportedly began to be demoralized by their leaders’ inability to remain true to the principles that the organization purportedly is fighting for, aside from doubts after witnessing the breakdown of the discipline of the people in the organization.

 Lacuata said “Ka Diwa” remains in the custody of Kalinga Police Office while awaiting promulgation of the criminal cases filed against him, which will also determine his eligibility to avail of the E-CLIP’s benefits.

Meanwhile, the four other surrenderees are now also under protection of  police authorities for their security and facilitation of benefits and financial assistance for them to start a new and peaceful life, said a regional police report. 

“They are just one among other rebels who opted to withdraw their armed struggle for them to be with their families and seek a reformed life in the community.” -- With a report from Dionisio Dennis Jr./ PNA

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Baguio City sets Oplan kaluluwa traffic plan 2019

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Directional street signs are in place for cemetery goers and motorists on the annual all souls’ day trek to memorial parks this Nov. 1.

This was assured by Baguio City Police Office Traffic Management Bureau (BCPO-TMB) head Oliver Panabang during the OPLAN kaluluwa coordination meeting with concerned agencies and barangay officials last week at city hall.

A traffic advisory states that one-way roads on Nov. 1 from 5AM up to 12 MN or until the activity is over, are Queen of Peace, coming from Dominican- Quirino Highway (Naguilian road) intersection towards the central business district (CBD); San Roque street from Asin road to Quirino highway-Dominican road intersection; First road Quezon Hill from Quirino highway junction until Ponce street, going up only; and Sepic road from Ferguson junction to Buhagan rd.junction.

As to the advisory, left turn at Hamada street is not allowed for vehicles coming from Queen of Peace towards Quirino highway. Vehicles from Hamada street may U-turn at Ferguson street area.

There shall be no parking at the whole stretch of Quirino Highway, from Buhagan road-Quirino highway intersection up to San Carlos heights junction; the whole stretch of Sofia de Veyra and Ponce streets; the whole of Queen of Peace/Palma-Urbano and Queen of Apostles; infront and inside the Baguio Cemetery, except for emergency and reactionary vehicles.

Recommended parking areas are; Cooyesan Plaza pay parking area; Inside Shangrila Subdivision, inside the Recoletos compound; and inside Baguio Memorial Park end portion along vacant lot, while recommended U-turn areas are: area before the entrance of Bermuda subdivision below the cemetery; wide portion along Quirino highway before going down Asin road, or Police station 1.

 Panabang emphasized that U-turns, loading and unloading are not allowed in front of the cemetery.

There shall be no loading/unloading at the following areas: road space before 2nd road Quezon Hill, road space before Dominican, infront of Recoletos seminary, road space after entrance of BMC, road space before the first road San Carlos heights; and road space before entrance of Shangrila subdivision.

Only differently-abled and elderly are allowed to utilize the loading and unloading area near the entrance, but it shall be a pick/drop and go station only, there shall be no waiting, Panabang said.

Private vehicles going to CBD, except bus and trucks, are re-routed to Dominican road, enter Queen of Peace or Queen of Apostles to destination. Motorists from the CBD may pass through Quirino Highway, load or unload passengers at the cemetery but make a U-turn at first or second road, San Carlos heights to destination.

Taxi cabs may unload in front of the Recoletos seminary or space after BMC entrance and take San Luis/San Roque road as exit or follow regular route to CBD.

Trucks and buses are banned from using Quirino highway from the Buhagan junction until Irisan-circumferential road junction and are encouraged to utilize Marcos highway or Lamtang-Longlong Tam-awan road to destination.

Public Utility Vehicles from Irisan, San Carlos heights, NPC and Quezon Hill may go back to CBD through the regular route. Passengers from CBD to the cemetery may be unloaded along the junction of first road, San Carlos heights.

San Luis, San Roque, Asin, Nangalisan and other PUJs using Asin road toward CBD could use San Roque road to Quirino highway, back to the terminal. From the CBD, PUJs could unload passengers at the back of Police Station 1, infront of Recoletos seminary.

Dominican PUJs going to CBD may take the same route, or use Queen of Peace or Queen of Apostles, while unloading of passengers going to the cemetery is at the road space before the junction of Quirino Highway-Dominican intersection.

Quezon hill PUJs going to CBD would use Fairview road to Ferguson towards Buhagan rd, or take second road towards Qurino highway to Buhagan road, or turn left towards Dominican to Queen of Peace/Queen of Apostles road while unloading of cemetery-bound passengers shall be at the road space before the junction of Quezon Hill.

Guisad PUJs using Ferguson road going to CBD shall take Sepic road to Buhagan road.

Motorists from the lowlands/La Union bound to Baguio take the circumferential road to Dominican road, Queen of Peace or Queen of Apostles road to CBD or Lamtang-Longlong Tam-awan road to CBD or La Trinidad, Benguet.

The police force together with volunteers and barangay officials of affected streets in Fort del Pilar, Palma-Urbano, Kias, Victoria Village, Quezon Hill Proper, San Roque, San Luis, City Camp Proper, City Camp Central, Lower Rock Quarry, Lourdes Subdivision extension, Lourdes Proper, Lower Lourdes and Irisan barangays, agreed to implement traffic rules and regulations in their respective areas of responsibilities.

Cemeteries and memorial sites, transportation terminals within the city shall be properly manned, as with road intersections, ingress and exit points, Panabang assured.

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DENR lauds Luzon Hydro Corp’s sustainability efforts

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recognizes recently the best practices of Luzon Hydro Corporation in managing the upper and lower Amburayan River.

Sustainability is Luzon Hydro’s responsible stewardship on the resources it optimizes to operate. “For Luzon Hydro, sustainability means constantly innovating to bring development to the remotest areas with up-to-date environment-friendly technology,” said Luzon Hydro’s environmental officer Cranep Udan.

The pivotal role of Luzon Hydro in the community is to provide reliable, reasonable, and responsible power that improve the lives of the locals, while respecting the environment where it operates.

 One of Luzon Hydro’s efforts is to preserve the Amburayan watershed through its environmental programs like reforestation and riverbank stabilization.  In partnership with the local government units and the local community, reforestation and watershed management programs has been implemented and strengthened. In fact, more than half a million trees were planted by Luzon Hydro since it started operating in Ilocos Sur until now. And, 89% survival rating is recorded and monitored by the DENR.

Family-based approach on reforestation was adopted by Luzon Hydro to ensure that the sustenance of the watershed provides livelihood to the community.

Luzon Hydro is driven for a more direct and active collaboration among the communities along esteros or creeks and rivers. The power firm harness the might of the Amburayan River to generate Cleanergy -- its brand for clean and renewable energy. It is just right to condition the river on its natural and abundant state. 

Luzon Hydro operates in a run-of-river scheme with an annual total generating capacity of 74.8 megawatts. Since 2001, Luzon Hydro is ahead in providing sustainable solutions for our country’s demand for power. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation. 

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DOH-CAR starts food program Paracelis

PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- The Dept. of Health Center of Health Development Cordillera started a feeding program   for  nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women and undernourished under-five children in nine barangays in this town.

The dietary supplementation program aims to prevent low birth weight and stunting among under two years old children as preventive approach and to rehabilitate the undernourished child to the next higher or normal nutritional status as curative approach, said Candice Salingbay, nutritionist dietitian of DOH-CAR.

 It is also intended to address hunger and undernutrition, to advocate that dietary supplementation is an important strategy to address hunger and under nutrition, and to raise awareness among the community leaders to invest in nutrition.

The feeding program will run for 120 days from September-December during the lean season of the municipality. 

It involves the providing rice porridge (chicken and champorado), choco-milk drink, oats (squash malunggay and banana), chicken egg, vegetable noodles to 160 pregnant women and 250 undernourished children.

Salingbay said under the program, the time of feeding should not compromise regular feeding time nor encourage substitution or replacement of meals, but rather to supplement the current and preferably served around 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The mode of feeding will depend on the Barangay Nutrition Committee. They may opt for   centralized feeding (wet-feeding) or ration-based (goods are distributed to beneficiaries), she said.

Prior to the implementation of the feeding program, the DOH conducted orientation of local nutrition committee members, health workers, volunteers on the DSP.

Other preparatory activities  included  provision of hanging-type weighing scales and length/height boards for growth monitoring,  re-assessment of weight and height of under five children as baseline for the program,  and  medical check-up and laboratory examination of beneficiaries.(JDP/MAWC – PIA CAR)  

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World boxing champ from Baguio eyes SEAG victory

By Pigeon M. Lobien

BAGUIO CITY – Newly-crowned Amateur Asian Boxing Association (AIBA) World Women Boxing champion Nesthy Petecio is eyeing a return to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with a bang on December even as she prepares for the Olympics qualifier in February next year.

“Kailangang makabawi (We need to recover),” said Petecio last week at the University of Baguio (UB) athletics office prior to her courtesy call to University president Javier Bautista and at her department, the School of International Tourism and Hotel Management.

Petecio, a native of Davao City, is a first-year college student.

The tourism student won the gold in the AIBA world championship last October 13 in Ulan Ude, Russia when she beat Russian and hometown pride Liudmila Vorontsove in three of the five judges' cards.

The 27-year-old ended the country’s seven-year drought in the world championship with teammate Josie Gabuco last winning it in the light flyweight division against China’s Shiqu Xi.

Now, Petecio is eyeing gold in the SEAG on Dec. 2 to 7 hoping to erase the stigma of the 2015 edition in Singapore where she lost against a Vietnamese foe in the finals.

“I really want to get back and win the gold this time in the SEAG,” said Petecio, who missed the 2017 SEAG.

After that, it will be the Olympics qualifier somewhere in China where she hopes to land a seat in the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

Petecio is actually seeded in the qualifier but needs to get at least a bronze medal to qualify.

To accomplish both, she needs to fly with the Philippine boxing team to Gold Coast, Queensland in Australia to train for at least three weeks.

“She needs to fly there so she can train with female boxers her size. We do not have many boxers of her size here,” national team assistant coach Rey Galido said.

Petecio is first flying to her hometown of Davao for a flag-raising event with Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte on Monday and will return to Baguio on October 26 to get her stuff for the Australia trip.

But she is also expected to grace the unity run for the SEAG with possibly Hidilyn Diaz and fellow boxer Eumir Marcial.

“Though I am not really sure if they will be there since they have a busy schedule, with the SEAG fast approaching,” she said.

Fellow gold medalist Carlo Yulo, who grabbed the limelight a day before Petecio when he won gold in gymnastics, has already flown to Japan to continue his training.

Another Olympics qualifier EJ Obiena is also out of the country for training, “so I am not really sure if they can make it,” she added.

But for now, Petecio is contented with her windfall, a total of PHP3 million and counting.

She received PHP1 million from the Philippine Sports Commission upon her arrival, a PHP1 million from President Rodrigo Duterte and another P1 million from the MVP Foundation.

She is expected also to get a similar amount from Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Baguio is also set to give her an amount for winning in an international competition.

“May pampagawa na ng bahay namin, siguro matatapos na namin (I have now the means to have our house finished),” said Petecio, who as a small child saw her family evicted from their house in Davao City and has to move back to her father’s hometown in Davao del Sur.

“I can also finish a regular degree here in UB after finishing my associate arts studies,” she added.  -- PNA

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P200-M to build high-tech command center in Baguio

For traffic, peace and order programs 

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government is awaiting the release of a P200-million grant from the Office of the President (OP) to establish a state-of-the-art and first-of-a-kind integrated command center, an official said on Tuesday.

         “It's from the OP. Basically, magbibigay si Presidente ng PHP200 million para mag-install ng command center part na may AI (artificial intelligence) technology which will be embedded in the cameras, video management. So this will allow us to do the things that were described by Mayor Benjie (Magalong),” said Felipe Puzon, Magalong's chief of staff.

       Puzon said the command center will cover traffic management, disaster response, and security which Magalong earlier described as "the first of its kind" in the country.

The system will be connected to the smart traffic lighting system, weather management system, and can aid peace and order - as well as disaster risk management programs.

“It will be an integrated command system that will technically cover traffic management, disaster response and security of the entire city,” he said.

Earlier, Magalong said the technology would be capable of facial and vehicle plate number identification.

The technology can enable operators to “flag down” a face or vehicle that had been entered by a camera into the database. When flagged down, all cameras connected to the database will start to follow the subject, identifying its location.

Puzon said having the technology operational would provide data for decision making such as in the investigation of cases and suspension of classes during inclement weather.

“Just as long as makuhanan like if may hit and run na nangyari, may description of a for example a blue sedan, kung sa area na 'yun may AI camera, pwedeng i-filter kaagad na blue sedan, so doon sa software, ifa-flag natin na blue so lahat ng car na dumaan sa camera na blue, mafa-flag so out of 3,000 cars na dadaan doon, mas madali ng mahanap (for as long as the AI camera is able to capture it, example a blue sedan, the system can already filter and flag-down all blue cars from the thousands that pass in the area),” he said.

He said the terms of reference are expected to be out within the next two weeks and thereafter the quotation for the submission and review of proposals.

He said the operation of the command center will depend on the winning bidder's capacity to install the cables, set up the equipment, and install the AI-ready cameras.

 He said they are projecting an initial 64 cameras spread city-wide that will be connected to the command center. Additional cameras would be placed in high traffic and high crime rate areas.

Puzon said the P200 million budget will cover the first two segments of the five-phase project.

The command center will be manned by trained personnel, with each shift composed of a policeman, a fireman, and emergency medical service and other first responders.

He said the command center may be set up on the second floor of the disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) office at City Camp, where the City Engineering office is located. (PNA) 

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Baguio retains Batang Pinoy championship

By Pigeon Lobien

BAGUIO CITY -- It was mission accomplished for team Baguio as it retained the overall title and the P3-million windfall in the Batang Pinoy National Finals that ended over the weekend.

              Baguio closed the sporting meet with a 14-gold medal haul during Friday’s games in five sports events, bringing its total haul to 61 gold, 48 silver and 63 bronze medals and successfully defended the title it won last year.

Though the number of gold medal haul is fewer compared to last year, Baguio remains the overall champion, with head of delegate and city sports coordinator Gaudencio Gonzales praising the young athletes for a job well done.

Last year, Baguio’s medal haul was 83-81-107, way ahead of its closest contender Cebu City which had 36-40-44.

“We are coming home with P3 million as our prize money although it will come much later because we have yet to process some papers,” posted Gonzales on his Facebook account.

Wrestling redeemed itself as they won four gold medals to bring the team’s total to five golds, aside from the six silver and six bronze medals in the goodie bag.

Official results posted by the Philippine Sports Commission show Cebu at second place with (34-34-29), Davao (31-24-37), Laguna (27-24-18) and Quezon City 25-25-23 medal hauls.

Laguna defeated Baguio in the Luzon regional leg earlier this year as the highlanders gained a semblance of revenge when the combat sports athletes struck gold and won 52 of the 61 golds earned in the games for athletes 15 years old and younger.

Wushu had the biggest contribution with 14 golds after the two won by sanda also on Thursday for a 14-7-4 medal production. The Baguio wushu team is also the team champion.

Muay thai wrapped up early with a 10-4-3 haul. Judo is the second-best performing Baguio team this year with a 10-5-6 haul. Taekwondo gave an 8-8-9 total.

The pencak silat squad wound up with a surprising 3-0-3 output. Arnis contributed a 1-5-9 medal haul while boxing also delivered with a gold, aside from two silver and two bronze medals. Archery is the most productive non-combat event with an 8-8-9 stash.

Gonzales and some of the delegates joined the closing ceremony even as many tried to see the wonders the province had to offer, including the underground river.

“They deserve a big break and go see the wonders the province could offer,” Gonzales said.

Acting Mayor Faustino Olowan on Monday said the city is prepared to honor the athletes who have once again given honor to Baguio.

He said based on an ordinance, athletes representing the city in recognized national competitions are entitled to a cash incentive.

Olowan is temporarily taking the place of Mayor Benjamin Magalong who is on official business in China, together with other officials of the city.

City Administrator Engr. Bonifacio dela Peña said the young athletes will be honored during the flag raising ceremonies on Sept. 9. -- PNA

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TESDA opens more Kalinga scholarships

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga -- Job generation in the province is expected to rise with the additional 1,725 scholarship slots opened by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provincial training center for year 2019-2020.

 TESDA-Kalinga provincial director Joel M. Pilotin said the slots offered to Kalinga this year increased from last year’s 1,345.

Training period is from October 2019-October 2020.

TESDA continues to level-up its program under the government’s Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) aimed to develop the ‘human infrastructure’ in the country.  Through this, the country’s labor force   will be among the world’s top-demand that ultimately would address unemployment and poverty, Pilotin said.

                Meanwhile, Artemio Jose, TESDA-Kalinga Training Center head, said 1,145 trainees   have completed technical-vocational courses as of July 2019 while 200 others are expected to finish this quarter.

                Beneficiaries enrolled are provided P160 daily stipend, P5, 000 learning material allowance plus insurance coverage.

                Jose urged the out-of-school and unemployed to avail of the scholarship slots saying this would qualify them for employment here and overseas. The training center uses updated training materials and tools to prepare graduates for today’s work.

Courses offered include automotive, welding, bread and pastry, masonry, carpentry, painting, driving, furniture and organic agriculture. (JDP/LL-PIA CAR, Kalinga)

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2 drug pushers killed in Bulacan; 29 nabbed

By Freddie Velez 

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan–Two drug pushers were killed while 29 other drug peddlers were arrested in separate buy-bust operations conducted by the Bulacan police on Thursday.

Provincial Director of Bulacan, Police Colonel Chito G. Bersaluna, identified one of the fatalities as Orlan Rondina Montecalbo, who was included in the PNP/PDEA watch list, and his unidentified cohort.

Based on the report of Lt. Colonel Orlando Castil Jr., SJDM police chief, the drug transaction was made in Paradise, Barangay Tungkong Mangga, CSJDM Bulacan on Thursday.

Montecalbo and his unidentified companion engaged the police officers in a firefight while trying to escape onboard a MIO motorcycle without plate number, which prompted the lawmen to retaliate. This resulted in the deaths of the two suspects.

Recovered from them were one Cal. 38, revolver with no trademark and serial number; one improvised shotgun; 1 orange and black Yamaha Mio; 15 plastic sachets of shabu, and buy-bust money.

Bersaluna added that 29 other drug suspects were arrested in a series of anti-illegal drug operations conducted by operatives from San Jose Del Monte and Malolos and in the towns of Bustos, Hagonoy, Marilao, Bocaue, and San Ildefonso.

A total of 50 plastic sachets of shabu, four plastic sachets of dried marijuana leaves, assorted drug paraphernalia, and buy-bust money were confiscated from the suspects during the operation.

The arrested suspects and recovered pieces of evidence were brought to Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for appropriate examination while criminal complaints for Violation of RA 9165 against the suspects are now being readied.

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36 Barlig junior police train on survival in jungle

By Dionie Chungalan

BARLIG. Mountain Province -- Thirty six Kadaclan National High School (KNHS) students trained Sept. 27-28 at Sayococna woodlands located in nearby Banao, Natonin on "basic life support."

This beautiful jungle is now becoming a tourist attraction because of its water bodies and fish ponds, aside from having a wide area for pitching tents.

The area has creeks ideal for baths and is crowded by domestic and wild banana plants.

Here, students were taught discipline, camaraderie, leadership behavioral transformation, survival, rescue techniques, first-aid and calamity preparedness.

According to Brenda Fiangrayan, teacher class adviser - the junior police concept began few years back at Kadaclan to curb juvenile delinquency among students until it became a dual program with Barlig Police Station.

"The idea just sprouted out of my mind as guidance counsellor to organize a patterned students' police structure to assist in instilling good manners and right conduct for the school populace," Fiangrayan said.

In an interview with local cop Lalaine Almeda, she said a scout jamborette was held at Chatol, a compound of Eastern Bontoc National Agricultural and Vocational High School (EBNAVHS) where a gang of boys were unruly but by applying the concept of students' Junior Police internal rules, they became good boys.

"When we tried to apply a series of psychological strategies modeled to that of police system the positive impact was tremendous that challenged the Barlig Police Station to move in sharing the program with students," Almeda said.

Barlig PNP trainers were: Santiago Dayag, Lalaine Almeda, Roger Anaban, Mharcloyd Culpita, Nicodemus Estino and Khatzumi Cofin.

Support staff came from Disaster Management Office, Emergency Rescue Team, Bureau of Fire, Rural Health Unit personnel: Eric Chan, Alexander Cotaran, Abner Ayoga, Jecony Machuli, Basilio Apil, Rebo Bagano, Sheena Nais-od, Elington Jules Campana, Aeya Jane Cofin, Dolor Mad-eo, and Jim Kinomon.

Jose Agagon, Natonin Municipal Mayor delegated Municipal Councilor/Spassky Manayos to deliver his message. "Mayor Agagon," Manayos said, "is ever-willing to come to this important training being a retired police officer himself but was hampered by hectic schedule of visitors, clearing national road on obstructions, like building encroachment and illegal parking lots."

Banao Punong Barangay Francisco Manarop said he was delighted that his village was chosen as training site.

"The program will encourage students to join this Junior Police Organization for love of country and fellowmen. I wish other schools in Natonin shall adopt this tangible example to organize their students for more training in the future."

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3 Cordillera LGUs fail road clearing assessment

BAGUIO CITY -- Three local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) failed the road clearing assessment of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Engineer Marlo Iringan, DILG-CAR regional director, said those that failed were the towns of Boliney and Manabo in Abra province and the municipality of Banaue in Ifugao.

The three towns will be asked to explain and, in case the reasons cited are deemed unacceptable, the LGUs will be sanctioned, Iringan said.

In rating the LGU's compliance to reclaim public roads, there are six indicators which include 50 points for road clearing, 15 points for rehabilitation, 15 points for the ordinance, 10 points for displacement, five points for grievance mechanism and five points for inventory.

“Hindi ko lang sigurado kung saan nagkulang ang mga LGU natin, I will have to refer to the document (I’m just not sure where our LGUs failed, I will have to refer to the document),” Iringan said.

He said the DILG would conduct a quarterly validation and check that these roads remain clear of obstructions.

"The DILG’s recent order is to sustain the gains that we have made at kailangan siguraduhin natin na 'yung mga na-clear na na mga road at 'yung mga natanggalan na ng mga obstruction will stay as they are (we need to make sure that the roads cleared of obstruction will stay as they are),” he added.

In Baguio City, Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Monday said the City Engineering Office, which is in charge of the road clearing project, has started the distribution of notices to households owners whose structures will be affected by the demolition at Naguilian Road.

He said that about 30 percent accomplishment has been noted along Marcos Highway where 267 structures found to be encroaching on the national highway are expected to be demolished. (PNA)

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