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Ban of buildings in Baguio danger zones gets SP okay

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1 dead, 2 hurt as riprap collapses, buries house 

By Gaby Keith

BAGUIO CITY – The city council passed on first reading a proposed ordinance prohibiting construction of residential, institutional, educational or any vertical structure within identified danger zones or high risk areas in this summer capital.
This, while a woman died when the riprap of a construction site collapsed and buried her house below here  Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. 
Police said the house was owned by Virginia Faustino De Jesus, 67, widow, located at Purok 8, Barangay Kias.
Jemma T. Mendoza reportedly died at the scene.
Her son Nathaniel, 1, and niece Lenary De Jesus, 11, were injured and taken to the Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center by rescuers.
Authorities said the riprap eroded due to heavy rains since Tuesday.
Authored by councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr., the measure points out that one of the city’s critical problems is unabated squatting.
“Migrants continue to enter every available space, legally or otherwise, even areas that are declared as danger zones thereby putting their safety and security at risk,” it claims.
The ordinance “seeks to ensure the maintenance of peace and order, protection of life and property by prohibiting people from occupying areas declared as danger zones or in geographical areas where the probability of damage, injury, loss or other undesirable outcome is at its highest.”
The measure makes it unlawful for any person, establishment, firm or entity to construct a residential, institutional, educational, or any vertical structure within identified danger zones or high risk areas in the city.

Any person, natural or juridical, found to have violated the proposed ordinance shall be meted with a standard fine of P5,000 including the structure’s summary demolition.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Wage hike set in Cordi; Baguio pay P300 daily

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera announced last week increase in minimum wage in the region with this city set at P300 a day.
The increase from P285 to P300 was established by the Cordillera Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, RTWPB chairman and DOLE regional director Exequiel Guzman said.
Guzman said the increase will be applied by all business ventures and industries that have 11 employees and above. For those that employ 10 workers or less, the minimum wage is set by the RTWPB-CAR at P285.
He said in the areas of Tabuk City, Kalinga; Bangued, Abra; Bontoc, Sagada and Bauko Mt. Province; Lagawe, Ifugao and Tublay, Benguet’s minimum wage for industries employing 11 and above was raised to P290 from P275; and P280 for those employing 10 and below.
Other areas in the region who are employing 11 and above is now P280 and for those employing 10 and below now to P270.
Only Itogon, Tuba and Sablan in the province of Benguet were not included in the wage order as a leveling-off of the current wages with the others.
A separate wage order was issued by the RTWPB which pegged the minimum wage of domestic workers to P3,000 in cities and first-class municipalities and P2,500 in other municipalities.
Wage Order CAR-DW-02 covering domestic workers approved in April 19 took effect on May 8, while Wage Order RB-CAR-18 approved on April 19 will take effect on June 5.

PNP on full alert in Central Luzon

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — The Central Luzon Police Force is on full alert status following President Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao to address the siege of Marawi by Maute Group gunmen and other terrorist threats in the southern region.
 Chief Supt. Aaron N. Aquino, regional director of the Central Luzon police, said that since the Police Regional Office 3 has been on full alert status since Wednesday, all leaves and passes of PNP personnel are cancelled.
“I have directed all unit commanders within Region 3 to strengthen target hardening on all vital installations, economic key points as well as places of convergence and ensure high state of operational readiness to thwart any hostile action that may be launched by terror groups,” Aquino said.

Mt Province groups benefit from bounty chicks dispersal

BONTOC, Mountain Province --  Supply of poultry meat and eggs in the province would increase as more local livestock farmers benefited from dispersal of three to four weeks old “bounty chicks” by the provincial government.
Focal person for provincial poultry development program June C. Pinayakan of the office of the governor said the second batch comprising 13 organizations were recently provided with 100 heads of bounty chicks each. The chicken’s housing and food supply shall be the counterpart of the organizations.
The second batch were from District II covering the municipalities of Sabangan, Sagada, Tadian, Bauko and Besao as earlier planned to ensure synchronized and orderly distribution of chicks to the recipients. Also, the provincial government targets one organization in every barangay to ensure equal distribution of poultry.
The second batch of recipients are Heifer Partner Families Cooperative, Masika Organization, Bun-ayan Organization, Maggon RIC Organization, Palpalidan Livestock Growers, Suysuyoc Women’s Organization, RIC Lagan, Demang RIC, Lagawa Caputan Farmers Organization, Banao Farmers and Animal Raisers Association, Ub-ubbo Farmers Organization, Kabalikat Organization and Bansa Women’s Organization.
Qualified to avail are registered organizations, with 15 minimum members, and has submitted a copy of resolution requesting to be included in the program. Organizations must seek approval to avail of the program from the respective Punong Barangay.
Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr.and Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved  allocation of P1.5 million pesos for purchase of bounty chicks to be dispersed to the identified organizations. --  Alpine L. Killa

Baguio folks urged: Comply with building standards

BAGUIO CITY – City building official engineer Nazita Banez urged owners of residential and commercial buildings here to strictly comply with the structural and building safety requirements to ensure the soundness of their structures.
In her report before city officials and employees led by Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Vice Mayor Edison Bilog last Monday, Banez said that while the city building and architecture office imposes only the minimum requirements and guides through the issuance of building permits, the responsibility of ensuring the structural soundness of their buildings still rests with the owners and the contractors.
“The National Building Code and the Civil Code of the Philippines place the responsibility and the accountability to the owners and their contractors to build their structures safe for occupancy,” Banez said.
She said the NSCP requires the structural design of buildings to withstand 6.5 magnitude earthquakes but in the case of the city, owners can “command their engineers to design their buildings sturdier to withstand up to 8 magnitude, though, it will cost much.”   
As per the Environment Code, soil tests and slope stability tests should be conducted to determine the holding capacity of the lot and any additions or alterations of buildings should not be allowed unless reviewed and certified by an accredited structural engineer, Banez added.
Furthermore, the Fire Code and Mechanical Code require buildings to have fire alarm systems and firefighting paraphernalia.  Firewalls should be built with fire-resistant materials and should have no opening .
Banez said that based on their monitoring and inspections, the most common violations found in city buildings were the non-provision of fire protective systems, elevators and the conversion of parking areas to rentable spaces.
To address the said violations, CBAO has initiated filing of cases in court against the erring owners for violation of the National Building Code. – Aileen P. Refuerzo

 Domogan backs Duterte’s martial law declaration

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan expressed support to the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to declare Martial Law in Mindanao in response to the terroristic acts of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-inspired Maute group in Marawi City that led to still on-going clashes with government troops.
In a statement, the mayor said he fully trusts that the President knows what is best for the country at this moment and that he had enough reasons to justify the imposition of direct military control in Mindanao.
“We support the action of the President in declaring Martial Law in Mindanao.  We have full trust that the President had been supplied with sufficient facts that can justify the declaration of Martial law in the said area,” the mayor said.
The mayor said he sees no cause for worry as to the basis for the declaration because under the Constitution, the President is mandated to “report and explain to Congress within a prescribed period the reasons why he had declared Martial Law.”
“With the declaration of Martial Law, we hope that the Armed Force of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will quell and stop the lawless violence and rebellion in the said area to save innocent civilians from possible death and injuries and also damage to properties,” the mayor said.
The mayor also confirmed that one of those killed in the on-going conflict was a policeman who hailed from the city. – Aileen P. Refuerzo

Ramadan in Ilocos not affected by martial law

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- The declaration of martial law in Mindanao by President Duterte has not affected the celebration of the Ramadan in all Muslim communities in the provinces of Region 1.Allan Macapundag, the president of La Union Muslim Community based here, said that their Ramadan begins with a one-hour prayer that will start at 8 p.m.“Simultaneously, this will be also the start of our one-month fasting for the celebration of the Ramadan,” said Macapundag. He appealed to all Filipinos to join them in praying for the safety and security of their brother Muslims in the Marawi City. He also prayed for the immediate solution to the trouble in Marawi City that is the restoration of peace and normal lifestyle of the residents in the area. – Freddie G. Lazaro

 City hall areas to be used as art gallery

BAGUIO CITY – The city council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance allowing the use of the Baguio city hall as an art gallery to include its lobby, available walls and other possible areas as a gallery for visual art, and creating a committee to act as a gallery curator.
            The ordinance authored by Councilor Lilia A. Fariñas stated the City General Services Office of the local government will be tasked as the lead agency in the implementation and regulation of the local legislative measure and it shall outline the implementing rules and regulations for its operation, with the approval of the City Council, and perform such other duties contained in the said measure.
            Under the proposed ordinance, the City General Services Officer shall determine spaces such as walls along the halls of city hall, the lobby, and other areas which can be utilized for the exhibit for visual arts such as paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and other works of art. -- Dexter A. See

Dagupan opens evacuation center for 1,000 victims

DAGUPAN CITY -- The newly-inaugurated three-storey evacuation center worth P15.1 million can accommodate 617 households here in Barangay Salapingao hopes to decrease injuries and fatalities during calamities and distress times.
Funded under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) project of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and by the city government, the center may also provide similar temporary shelter to neighboring Barangays Lomboy and Pugaro with its 1,000 person capacity.
DILG Region 1 Director James F. Fadrilan in a report to DILG officer-in-charge Catalino S. Cuy said the facility, which has a land area of 1,236 square meters, includes basic amenities such as potable water; electricity; comfort rooms for females, males and persons with disabilities (PWDs); communal kitchen; dining and laundry area.
Other equally important components include a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office, clinic infirmary, breastfeeding area, stock room and a roof deck.
Cuy said that prior to the construction of the evacuation center, residents only have school classrooms and few sturdy structures to take refuge in during typhoons and flooding.

 P9M housing aid given to 60 Ilocos Norte families

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte  -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development gave a total of P9,100,000 in housing assistance to some 60 families in Ilocos Norte whose houses were damaged by typhoons through its Core Shelter Assistance Program.
CSAP is one of the intervention schemes of DSWD in disaster response and rehabilitation.
It aims to provide environment-friendly, structurally-strong shelter units to victims of disasters or those living in hazardous areas.
The 50 family-beneficiaries of the CSAP are from Navotas, Laoag City who received P160,000 each for their single-detached core shelter unit which will be built on an 80-square-meter lot given by the city government.
The lot serves as the counterpart contribution of the local government of Mayor Chevylle Fariñas, who also committed to provide augmentation to other logistical requirements such as site development and skilled workers.
The other 10 families from Barangay Buyo, Bacarra were also provided with the CSAP program amounting to P1,100,000, with each family beneficiary receiving P110,000 for the construction of their units. Chito Chavez
HSWs in Bicol get extra P1,000

Ifugao town turns over new building to PNP
KIANGAN, Ifugao- - The municipal government of this town turned-over a newly constructed Community Police Assistance Center to the Philippine National Police to strengthen their capability in maintaining peace and order in the community.
The COMPAC in Barangay Poblacion costing about P500, 000 was constructed by the municipal government under Mayor Joselito Guyguyon through the effort of Kiangan town police chief Roy T. Awisan.
The inauguration   began with the ribbon cutting   led by the mayor, Ifugao PNP Director Constancion Chinayog Jr., and   Awisan joined by Councilors James Talib and Gemma Dimog. It was followed by a short program.
 In his message, Guyguyon said that the COMPAC was accomplished as a show of their cooperation, support and gratitude to the services of the Police in the town led by Awisan.
Chinayog thanked the Kiangan LGU for its support to the PNP. This project he said was the first in the province   that is funded by an MLGU and expressed hope this will be replicated by the other municipalities of Ifugao.  -- PIA Ifugao

Market wholesalers told: Comply with gov’t rules
BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan urged wholesalers of products in the city public market to comply with rules and regulations to prevent immediate confiscation of their products by the alert personnel of the Public Order and Safety Division.
During recent dialogue between POSD personnel and  wholesalers in the public market, Domogan said what had been agreed upon is for them to unload their products in the identified areas in the public market on or before 5 am and that they are allowed to take their products to their stalls until 7 am.
He added products that will be left unattended in the designated areas after 7 am will be confiscated by the POSD personnel and will no longer be returned to the wholesalers because their violation will be qualified as obstruction.
Under existing guidelines, rules and regulations which were crafted by the local legislative body, products that are left unattended along roads and sidewalks will be classified as obstruction and that the same will no longer be returned to the owners while violations of illegal peddling will allow the vendors to claim their products after paying the fine of P1, 000.
If there will be wholesalers that will arrive later than the prescribed time, he said the said traders will only be allowed to unload their products in certain areas within the public market as it is not the fault of the city government that they arrived late.
He said that if the wholesalers want their violations of obstruction to be treated as illegal peddling, then they must appeal to the City Council to amend the ordinance that provided for such definition so they can claim back their products once they pay fines. -- Dexter A. See

 PENRO-Kalinga readies 3 million seedlings for planting

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office through its partner people’s organizations is preparing at least three million tree seedlings for this year’s enhanced National Greening Program.
Acting-PENRO Noel Barientos reported planting starts as soon as the rains come in June. The extended enhanced NGP in the province included fruit trees and bamboos in its 2,700 hectares target planting area.

 DOLE gives P2.5-M to four Abra groups    

BANGUED, Abra -- Four people’s organizations in the province were  recipients of  P2.5 million Kabuhayan Assistance from Department of Labor and Employment.
DOLE-Abra provincial head George G. Lubin, Jr.  said 507 members of the three organizations will directly benefit from livelihood assistance in the form of production equipment, tools and materials.
Lubinsaid the Rural Improvement Club of Tangadan, San Quintin was given P334, 530.00 for the procurement of sewing machines and materials and for their catering.
The Association of Dalit OFW Returnees and Dependents in the municipality of Pilar received P378, 750.00 for their farming project.
The municipality of Lagangilang has two PO-beneficiaries. The Lagangilang Farmers Irrigators’ Association that serves eight barangays was given P1, 441,450.00 for its farming project while the Lagangilang Women’s Food Processors Association received P377, 100.00 for the food processing projects of the women members.
The local government units of Pilar, San Quintin and Lagangilang serve as conduits of the project funds. As such, they are in charge of the procurement of production materials and facilities and also in the provision and delivery of these to the project beneficiaries.
The projects are expected not only to benefit the direct project beneficiaries through increased production and profits but also to generate employment for their families and communities. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

Kalinga LGUs urged” Put  up PWD rehab centers

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- National government agencies concerned  with welfare of  Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)  are urging   local government units to establish their own rehabilitation centers for said sector.
Remegio Basilan of the Department of Health provincial office said with Department of Social Welfare and Development and   Lin-awa Rehab Center personnel, said they are going around the province to orient local government units on establishment of rehabilitation centers for PWDs. 
They also monitor health facilities if they are complying with the PWD access law and are giving discounts on drugs and medicines.
The PWD access law provides establishments should be PWD -friendly and barrier-free   with built-in ramps, holders and safe passages.
“LGUs should consider in their budgets the needs of this sector and look at intervention programs for PWDs not on the side of charity but rather a public service since they are a constituent sector in the community that needs government assistance,” Basilan stressed. -- Peter A. Balocnit

  PVET teaches farmers organic feed formulation

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao --The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) here recently conducted skills training on organic swine and poultry raising and feed formulation to 83 farmer- recipients of native pig raising project of the provincial government.
The training was to enable pig raisers gain more profit in their backyard livestock endeavor by formulating their own organic feeds using ingredients and materials that are abundant and indigenous in their places rather than relying on commercial feeds which are very expensive, said PVET training coordinator Ferdinand Dunuan.
By adopting organic farming  that  includes feed formulation to reduce feed cost,  they can produce not only animal meat products which are safe and fit for human consumption but also earn more profit because organically produced farm products nowadays are in great demand.
Dunuan   lectured to participants on animal husbandry, issues on bio-organic inputs and good agricultural practices.
Gilbert Caclini, also of PVET, demonstrated the preparation of the feeds using the indigenous materials with the hands on participation of the farmers  so that they can learn and experience on the spot organic feed formulation.
The ingredients and materials used during the actual preparation of  50 kilograms (kgs) of organic feed include 20 kilos rice bran, 5 corn grits, 5 corn bran, 3 chopped banana stalk, 3 chopped camote trunk and leaves, 3 ofipil leaves, 10 ofazola, a kilo of brown sugar, another kilo of indigenous micro-organism (for fermentation) and two liters of rice wash.
The farmers said were happy with what they learned and promised that they will immediately start preparing their own feed supply. -- Daniel B. Codamon

 
DOST upgrades baking skills of Ifugao small entrepreneurs

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The Department of Science and Technology trained 30 young and old small entrepreneurs of the province to upgrade their skills and knowledge in making bakery products.
The DOST tapped expert chefs and bakers from the ACHIEVERS Food and Bakery Ingredients Corporation based in Quezon City as resource persons. The company offers wide range of locally manufactured and selected imported quality food ingredients to produce a wide variety of breads, cakes, pastries, dimsum and other confectionaries and also supply bakery equipment and tools.
Provincial Science and Technology Director Genna Jallorina said that the training  under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Project or SETUP  aims to enable the bakery operators in the province improve the quality and quantity of their bakery products by learning and using new and better ingredients, technology, equipment and facilities thereby making their business more profitable and  competitive.
Among the equipment introduced and demonstrated hands-on by the chefs and bakers from the ACHIEVERS Corporation to the trainees are the deck ovens, cake mixers, rack ovens, spiral mixers, chillers, proofers, dough machines, roasters, fondue machines, ice machines, bread slicer, bread racks and other machine products.

The participants learned proper processing and cooking of bakery foods like pastel rolls, pandesal with malunggay leaves, donut variety, hopia, chiffon cake and choco chiffon cake. -- PIA Ifugao

La Union pushed as agri-tourism destination

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PUGO, La Union – This town is being pushed as eco-tourism destination.
Last week, Gov. Francisco Ortega III visited PUGAD (Pugo Adventure) , one of  destinations the province is promoting.
Owned by the family of Pugo Mayor Priscilla Martin, PUGAD is not just a resort; it is also a theme park with swimming pools, a 250-meter zipline, sports adventure, and a mini-zoo located on a natural mountain environment.
“I’m here because I heard that a lot people come here to enjoy the great facility and I want to experience for myself because I have a vision for the province to transform La Union to become the heart of agri-tourism in northern Luzon on 2025,” Ortega said.
He said he had been going around the municipalities and checking local tourist spots to find out what can be done to make them competitive.
He said he was impressed with the facilities of PUGAD.
The governor tried the zipline and rappelled.
Ortega said the core strategy is to build a tourism circuit in the entire province, like Pugo which is part the southern-eastern tourism circuit. It includes the municipalities of Rosario, Santo Tomas and Tubao towns.

He said they want the municipalities to complement each other in boosting tourism and developing agriculture.

Film showing, runs, art expo set for Lakbay Kasarinlan fest

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BAGUIO CITY -- The Emilio Aguinaldo Foundation has set series of events and activities for the 119th anniversary of Philippine Independence.
Emilio Aguinaldo Sungtay III, the Philippine hero’s grandson, headed  launching of “Lakbay Kasarinlan Festival, the Road to Philippine Independence Day celebration”,   in a media forum at the Aguinaldo Museum here recently.
Sungtay cited importance of Filipinos to be reminded once again on history of Philippine Independence and importance of the first Philippine Flag to spur patriotism of the Filipino people.
The celebration opened May 28 with the Philippine Flag Day program at the Aguinaldo Park that houses a museum on the history of Philippine Independence and where the historic 1st Philippine Flag is on display.
The National Flag Day will also open the Art Expo at the park showcasing artistic talents.  This will be in partnership with the Pasakalye Arts Community and will run up to June 12. A bonfire night for organizers, guests and media practitioners will cap the day.
There will also be bazaar and food expo in partnership with the City Tourism Office. 
A film expo of patriotic films will also be featured in the festival through the Cinematheque of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
For June 12 - Independence Day, there will be a “Flag” Run with various categories such as 1km for kids, and 3K, 5K, 10K and 21K run for young adults and other health buffs. Aside from promoting healthy living, the fun run also aimsto bring out the patriotism of Filipinos.
The city government will also spearhead an Independence Day program and fireworks on June 12.

Sungtay was joined in the forum by festival partners- SM Baguio marketing manager John Rey Langit, Baguio   artist Roland Bay-an, City Tourism Office OIC Joma Rivera, JT Gonzales also of the Aguinaldo Foundation and festival organizer Arvin Molintas. -- S. Yusuf and K. Valdrez –PIA/UC interns  

Gotad ad Ifugao diverse events slated June 14-18

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LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The provincial local government is set for the 51st  founding anniversary of the province dubbed as 2017 “Gotad ad Ifugao“on June 14-18.
“Gotad ad Ifugao” is a celebration primary for Ifugao gaining its independence as a province and an opportunity to showcase Ifugao culture, customs, traditions and practices as an indigenous people.
Themed “Ipaptok tau’y Ifugao” which means “Let us nurture Ifugao”  activities for the 2017 Grand Gotad Ad Ifugao will start June 14 with province-wide public lunch. 
Activities on June 14 include civic parade, opening of agro-industrial trade fair, indigenous culinary arts competition, photo exhibits, ball games and  OFW Balikbayan Program.
On June 15 will be  marathon in G-strings, ethnic skills competition, demonstration in bamboo woodcarving and Bugan and Wigan fashion show displaying Ifugao-inspired creations.
Featured on June 16 are float parade contest, cultural sports competition, job fair, PRC licensing, skills fair, free klegal services, demonstration in “Uggub” and musical variety show in the evening.
The trek-a-thon, mountain bike challenge, performing arts competition and exhibition games will be held June 17.
On June18 will be grand cultural parade, grand Gotad program, amateur boxing and martial arts showdown and closing program highlighted by a public lunch for all.
Gov. Pedro Mayam-o has issued an executive order organizing and designating the event coordinators, chairpersons and co-chairperson as well as some members of the different working committees of the 2017 Gotad ad Ifugao.

Ifugao was formerly a part of the old Mountain Province. On June 18, 1966, Ifugao finally gained status as a province with the signing into law of House Bill No. 1526 otherwise known as Republic Act No. 4695 or the Division Law of Mountain Province. -- PIA Ifugao

Baguio honors cop killed in Marawi

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BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered the Baguio City Police Office to ensure this summer capital  is safe from terrorists like the Maute Group as it honored its hometown boy – Senior Insp. Fredie Solar – who was also killed in action in Marawi City in clashes between government troops and he terrorist group.
Domogan said he has met with police officials and “they (police) said they will do their own background investigation to make sure that those who come (to Baguio) are not here to do terrorism activities.”
The mayor expressed sadness over the death of Solar during the siege of Marawi last Tuesday.

Solar’s sister, Susan, posted on her Facebook page that it was her brother’s desire “dedicate his life to his profession and in serving the people of Mindanao.”

More killed in Northern, Central Luzon drug war

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THE BODY COUNT increased as more illegal drugs personalities were killed or arrested in Northern and Central Luzon.  
Rodel Cuntapay, chairman of Barangay Sta. Cruz in Gonzaga, Cagayan, was driving his tricycle in Barangay Centro West, Sta. Teresita, when motorcycle-riding men shot him on Wednesday.
Marvin Ilaw was closing his bakery in Barangay San Jose, Baggao, Cagayan when a man on a motorcycle arrived and shot him in the head.
Poultry dealer and former village councilman Villamor Abella was having coffee with his wife at their house in Barangay Nagalisan, Solana, Cagayan when unidentified men entered and shot him in the head.
In Nueva Vizcaya, Alein Pimentel, 46, was drinking liquor with his friends in front of a store in Barangay Munguia, Dupax del Norte when he was shot. His son Ian Jay, 26, was shot dead when he tried to help his father.
Except for Ian Jay, the fatalities were drug surrenderees and on the drug watchlist in their areas, police said.
Jonathan Bagamaspad, 49, a resident of Barangay Bungcag, Dingras, Ilocos Norte, was in a Honda Jazz with Rollo Corpuz, 46, of San Vicente, Sarrat when they were waylaid when they reached  Barangay 50 Buttong, Laoag City also on Wednesday. 
Bagamaspad died while being treated at the Laoag City General Hospital. Corpuz was wounded and taken to the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center.
Police records show Bagamaspad, who was ranked seventh on the drug watchlist in Ilocos Norte, was a co-accused of former Dingras mayor Marianeth Gamboa in the killing of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative president Lorenzo Rey Ruiz in 2009. 
Four reportedly shot it out with anti-drug operatives in Barangays Diliman and Maronquillo in San Rafael and Sta. Cruz, Guiguinto in Bulacan Thursday.
Leo Valdez, alias Ula; Michael Cabanggunay, alias Tupeng; Bryan Concepcion and an alias Jas yielded guns, shabu and drug paraphernalia, said Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr., Bulacan police acting director.
Three more drug suspects and two other men were shot dead in separate incidents in Luzon early last week.
Jomer Bucarile, a resident of Barangay District 3, Cauayan, and Angelito Castillo, 49, councilman of Barangay Centro Dos, Mallig in Isabela, were driving their tricycles when shot by unidentified men in sport utility vehicles May 28 and 29, respectively.
Efren Pabiona, a resident of Barangay Baligatan, Ilagan also in Isabela, drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay Guinatan on Friday.
Police said the fatalities were on the drug watchlists in their barangays and surrendered under Oplan Tokhang last year.
Meanwhile, police have yet to determine if the killing of farmer Walter Pascion, 32, in Barangay Kita-Kita, Balungao, Pangasinan on May 26 was drug-related.
A man in a white van without license plates shot the victim.
Habal-habal driver Carl Bulalacao was in Barangay Luy-a, Aroroy, Masbate when motorcycle-riding men shot him several times. He died at the scene.
Twenty-three other drug suspects were arrested on May 26, 15 of them in Nueva Ecija and Pampanga.
At least 53 sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia, a weighing scale, marked money, a .22-caliber revolver and an improvised gun were recovered from the suspects, according to police reports.
Two women were arrested in Barangay Mojon, Malolos, Bulacan for alleged possession of 105 grams of shabu estimated to cost over P400,000. Police said one of the suspects got the drugs from a detainee at the Bulacan provincial jail.   – Raymund Catindig, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu


Assailed truck ban law now with city council

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By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – Following furor over the law on truck ban in this city, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said he proposed exemptions to truckers deserving of exemption from the new truck ban ordinance but council members have different interpretations on the matter so he is leaving the matter to the sole discretion of the local legislators.
“We tried to accord exemptions to the sectors by issuing Administrative Order No. 050, series of 2017 which direly need the exemption from the truck ban but it seems our local legislators refuse to cooperate with us by neither confirming our administrative order nor passing a resolution temporarily suspending the implementation of the truck ban ordinance while they are working on the amendments to the ordinance being questioned,” Domogan said.
He said there is urgency and merit to the submitted requests for exemption from the coverage of the new truck ban that is why he was constrained to issue the administrative order, an offshoot of several meetings with stakeholders as well as La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda and La Trinidad chief of police Chief Inspector Benson Macliing.
Lately, the City Council returned to the City Mayor the administrative order that was forwarded to them for confirmation unacted upon while approving on second reading and for publication the ordinance that seeks to amend several provisions of Ordinance No. 05, series of 2017, particularly the truckers that should be exempted from the coverage of the truck ban.
Domogan recommended to the concerned sectors to continue lobbying with the members of the city council for the immediate enactment of the amendatory ordinance so that the members of the council will be able to see the urgency of the matter as this affects the delivery of basic services to the people.
Under the ordinance, 6-wheeler trucks having a gross weight of 4,500 tons, heavy equipment, trailers among others are prohibited from passing along the major roads of the city from 6 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 9 pm daily.

Among the trucks that need to be granted immediate exemption from the coverage of the truck ban include those loaded with perishable goods and cutflowers, trucks loaded with mine ore concentrate, water delivery trucks, gasoline tankers and trucks used to ferry construction materials.

Cordillera Senior High School students lack classrooms, books

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By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY — After the Department of Education Cordillera admitted number of classrooms for the Senior High School students is short of around 60%, teachers from the region also complained  incoming Grade 7 students will face the scarcity or absence of reliable and credible textbooks this coming school year 207-2018.
According to Thomas Millanes of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Cordillera in a press conference here at Teachers’ Camp, there are still no textbooks or materials for the subjects Technical Livelihood Education (TLE), English and Pilipino.  “The needed books are not yet complete and the opening of classes is nearing so what will they use then?,” he asked.
Millanes who prepares for necessary educational materials especially for the grade 7 students said one of problems they are facing is unreliable and inappropriate contents of some textbooks as they were not properly evaluated before being printed.
He cited the case in the textbook for the subject Araling Palipunan (AP) where he said,  Igorots of Mountain Province were portrayed erroneously as Aetas.
 “With all due respects to Aeta as our IP (indigenous peoples) brothers, they have their own identity as the Igorots have also their own,” he said.  Such mistakes in the books and in other educational materials are harmful for the students as they will grow uninformed of the things they should know.
“The problem here is that whenever we make instructional materials and pass it to the evaluators, it is like we are passing through the needle hole getting many comments and revisions but if the educational materials like textbooks coming from the national, they bring it directly to the schools even without passing through the evaluators and be reviewed also by the teachers here in the Cordillera who know more of the needed data and reliable information based from the actual situation of the region),” Millanes said.
He said when they are already in class, teachers as responsible as they have to go over the books of their pupils and they will manually put corrections on them.
“The government is spending a lot of money for the textbooks, the printing presses cannot be blamed for printing erroneous information, the problem is on the people who are prioritizing profit over the welfare of the students.” Millanes said.


Father rapes 8-year-old daughter, sodomizes son

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By Nelson Bolos

CONCEPTION, Tarlac – A 57-year-old man was tagged by a police officer as “ devil reincarnate” for allegedly raping his eight-year-old daughter and sodomizing his son.
Supt Luis Ventura Jr., in a report to Tarlac police director Senior Supt. Ritchie Posadas, Ventura identified the suspect as Alberto “Loy” N. Lansanganoy, here of Barangay Corazon De Jesus.
Lansangan’s  abuse of his children” came out when his youngest daughter Mary Jane was accompanied by her maternal aunt Richell de  Menese to the police station.
Mary Jane told police investigators she was repeatedly raped by her own father, and the number of times she was abused was beyond her fingers (more than 10 times).
Mary Jane, police said, seemed to be in “state of traumatic shock.” Medical examination revealed she had multiple lacerations in her vagina.
 According to her aunt Menese, the young tot, who stopped her prep-schooling, also told her how her eldest brother, 13-year of “Ireneo”, was also sexually abused by their father.
Mary Jane described how their father “sodomized” Ireneo. “Pinapasok niya titi niya sa puwet ng kuya ko,” said Mary Jane.
“The narration of Mary Jane is very natural and very naively truthful, that’s why we arrested Langsangan. If he is not insane, he must be a reincarnation of the devil. Over what he allegedly did to his children, Langsangan may do harm to others if allowed to roam around,” Ventura said.
Mary Jane’s mother “Lucila”, though present during the police investigation, refused to utter any word on her children’s allegations of sexual abuse by their father.
 Lucila, however, said Lansangan always physically beats him if she fails to bring food to him.
 “Binubugbog niya ako kung wala akong dalang pagkain”, Lucila said describing her jobless husband who is said to be into drugs.   


Lepanto miner’s son reaches out to sick miner

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By Ramon Dacawi 

MANKAYAN, Benguet -- A miner’s son who grew up as a bootblack and golf caddy here in Lepanto Mines last week reached out to where he spent his boyhood to prop up anew a miner whose family is beset with misfortune.
Now based in Germany as a leading instructor of the Japan Karate Association, Julian Chees last week sent P20,000, half of which was given to 36-year old miner Romeo Garcia who is facing medical and financial woes far beyond his capacity to handle.
The other half of the amount was given to the mother of 12-year old Evan Mike Bogsit who is undergoing expensive twice-a-week hemodialysis  for life due kidney failure.
“I grew up in Lepanto where I shined shoes and dragged golf club bags taller than me and can easily relate with this miner whose suffering is beyond they ordinary,” Chees said last week when he sent the support amount through foundation secretary Renate Doth and this writer.
Earlier, Chees, a former world champion in kata, the formal exercise of traditional karate, sent an initial P10,000 after learning of the series of tests besetting Garcia’s family.
Earlier this year, Garcia lost his wife Jane (nee Lamlamag) to kidney failure after she failed to undergo dialysis due to fund lack.
Jane was buried in her hometowm of Bauko, Mt. Province. She left behind seven-year old daughter Princess Arcia who is undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia (cancer of the blood) and four-year old daughter Cathy Sy who is stricken with epilepsy.
She left behind husband Romeo who, a few weeks after her death, was also diagnosed for end-stage renal failure and is now undergoing twice a week hemodialysis.
Dialysis patient Bogsit, on the other hand, is a vegetable farmer’s son whose father was forced to bring the family of five children to :a Trinidad, Benguet to be closer to where the kid is undergoing twice-a-week treatment.

People out there who want to take the queue from Julian may ring up Romeo through cellphone number 09101116578 and Evan through his sister’s number – 09102670269.

POLICE ROUNDUP

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 Stepfather rapes 27-year-old woman
CALANASAN, Apayao – A 27-year-old woman was reportedly raped by her stepfather here around 5 p.m. Monday at Sitio Pulot, Butao, Calanasan, Apayao. The victim, identified as a certain Carol, 27, single was allegedly raped by Silyano Ubbec Gayang, 46, married, CAFGU member. Both were residents of the place. Police said the victim and her mother reported the incident to them Thursday. Investigation disclosed on May 29, the victim and her mother, stepfather and siblings went to Barangay Centro Butao to attend barangay fiesta. Around 5 p.m.  they decided to go home to Sitio Pulot to  have coffee at the house of her grandfather, Balbin Bawig. Moments later, the victim asked permission to her mother to go to their house to change her clothes. 
While the victim was inside her room changing, the suspect suddenly appeared and forcibly removed her underwear then sexually abused her.  The victim resisted but the suspect was strong and raped her.  The suspect threatened the victim not to tell to her mother then left the room. The victim was referred to Apayao District Hospital and Rural Health Unit for medical check-up and later referred to Welfare office.

Female drug user arrested for estafa
LUNA, Apayao – Police nabbed Thursday  a certain Roselyn Duritan Ramos, 33, businesswoman after she was ordered arrested by judge Jezarene M. Aquino of RTC, Branch 5, 2nd  Judicial Region of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan for estafa. Bail for here temporary liberty was set at P40,000.
The accused reportedly surrendered to police for being a drug user.

Drunk students nabbed for trying to harm cops
KIANGAN, Ifugao – Two drunk college students were arrested for making trouble outside a bar here and trying to harm cops who went to pacify them.   
Police said the incident happened around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at Poblacion in front of Hide Out Videoke Bar owned and managed by Julio Daligdig.
Police responded but both were already pacified by their companions and were advised to go home. Minutes later, another commotion transpired in the same area that prompted police to respond and saw Wesley Jadraque Cabaccan , 20, and Cyra Kyle Dulnuan Gawe , 18, both residents of Sitio Mabbalat, Poblacion. Police tried to pacify them but Cabaccan keep on shouting at the top of his voice and attempted to box the lawmen while his companion Gawiwas aided him.  Both suspects were subdued, arrested and jailed.

Young man cornered for rape
TAYUM, Abra – Cops arrested here Monday a farmer named Erick Alagao Vibas, 22 for rape after judge Raphiel Alzate of RTC Branch 58, Bucay issued warrant  agaisnt him with no bail.
Vibas was arrested in his residence here in  Sitio Dongadong, Barangay Pias Sur and is now in jail at local police station.

 Couple jailed for concubinage
ASIPULO, Ifugao – A certain Demetrio Muntinig Piggangay, 38, married, farmer, and her paramour named as Isabel N. Daona, 41, married, both residents of Sitio Tawagan, Cawayan here were arrested for concubinage. This, after judge Modesto D. Bahul Jr. issued arrest warrants against them and set bail of P8,000 for each.

Cadaver found in Mankayan canal
MANKAYAN, Benguet – A cadaver was found here Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. by a certain Pritson Gaw-e Mabiasan, 62, resident of lower Guiwe, Poblacion at  concrete canal below his residence while harvesting sayote. The cadaver was identified by his brother Efren Tuacan as Warry Bestoca Tuacan, 40, of Lengyatan, Tabio. There are no visible injuries found on the body of the victim who was brought to town rural health unit and declared dead by Dr. Paul Becina. Initial investigation disclosed that the victim might have slipped and fell into the canal due to drunkenness.

 Baguio car painter surrenders for drugs
BAGUIO CITY – A certain Jerson Briganio Cordel, 27, car painter of Big Boss Cars here at Camp 7, appeared at the local police station and surrendered for drug abuse. He said he smoked marijuana when he was still in Pasay City.

Coop manager loses P24K, expensive laptop to thieves
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The manager of a cooperative lost P18,000, laptop worth P24,000 among other personal items like ATM card to still unidentified thieves who robbed her home night of May 28.   
Police identified the victim as  Felina Damasco Mercoles, 48, manager of Alapang Cooperative, here of  Samoyao, Alapang. 
Investigation disclosed the couple slept and her husband woke up  around 2:30 a.m. of May 29 and noticed the money amounting to P840 placed on top of the table was missing but he didn’t mind, thinking that it was kept by his wife.
Later in the morning, the complainant said she was surprised that her shoulder bag was missing containing assorted identification cards, keys, RCBC checkbook, one Nokia cell phone of, ASUS laptop and cash amounting to more or less P16,300.

Rape suspect shot dead
MANGALDAN, Pangasinan – A man accused of rape was gunned down in Barangay Lanas in this town on May 28.
John Senin, 50, was driving his motorcycle on his way home when unidentified men on another motorbike opened fire. A piece of paper that read, “Rapist kasi ako kaya ganito napala ko 
(This happened to me because I’m a rapist),” was left near his body.
Police said the victim was charged with statutory rape before the Dagupan City prosecutor’s office last week. – Eva Visperas

Female cop loses motorcycle to thieves
LUNA, Apayao – A female cop lost here motorcycle to thieves here night of May 27in Barangay San Isidro Sur, Luna. The motorcycle was owned by PO1 Princess Kaye Agleam Llacuna, 23, assigned at the provincial police office.
Investigation disclosed on May 20, the victim went on vacation and left  her motorcycle in front of her boarding house owned and managed by  Leonor Jadsac at Barangay San Isidro Sur, According to her landlady, on May 27, at around 6 p.m. the motorcycle was still parked. Around 4 a.m. of May 28, Llacuna arrived and noticed her motorcycle missing. Case is under investigation. 

‘Fairy Queen’ busted for drugs
MONCADA, Tarlac — Police arrested 36-year-old Nory S. Bamba whom police said is known in the drug trade in Tarlac as “Fairy Queen.”
“She is so famous among drug circles. They call her Queen or Fairy Queen,” said Chief Inspector Palmyra Guardaya, this town’s police chief.
Guardaya said Bamba was arrested in a buy-bust operation conducted by police in Barangay Poblacion 1, here.
She said the suspect yielded two plastic sachets of “shabu” weighing a total of 5 grams. -- Mar T. Supnad

Woman arrested for large-scale recruitment
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A woman was arrested here Monday along km 5, Barangay Pico for large scale recruitment.
Arrested was Carita Sicladoy Atonen, 35, of Acop, Tublay town.
This, after Cecilia Corazon S. Dulay-Archog, acting presiding judge of RTC Branch 8, 1StJudicial Region, La Trinidad issued warrant for here arrest with no bail recommended.

Cops nab man for attempted homicide
BANGUED, Abra – Police nabbed here Monday a certain Renato Barzuela Bayle, 51 for attempted homicide after Redentor B. Valera, presiding judge, First Judicial Region, MTC of Bangued, issued warrant against him setting bail of P12,000  for his temporary liberty. 

Lightning kills farmer in P’sinan
BUGALLON, Pangasinan – A farmer died after he was hit by lightning in Barangay Laguit Centro on Sunday night. 
Elvis Ochoco, 30, was working in a rice field when the accident occurred. – Eva Visperas

Tarlac rice businessman nabbed for drug pushing
CONCEPTION, Tarlac -- Police here arrested a “well known” drug pusher from Olongapo City who allegedly supplies drugs here.
 In his report to Tarlac police provincial director Senor Supt Ritchie Posadas, Supt. Luis Ventura Jr, said rnolf Lugtu, AKA “Ponpon”, 30, of Sitio Pao, Barangay Sta. Cruz, here,  was nabbed in a buy bust morning of May 28.
 Lugtu’s name is listed on this town’s Watchlist of drug personalities and earlier he was among those who “surrendered” to the police but, apparently, he (Lugtu) continued his drug operation.
 “Lugtu fooled us (police). He surrendered to the police and admitted his illegal drug activities and even signed an affidavit promising that he will no longer involve himself on illegal drugs. But he reneged on his promise and continued his selling shabu“, said Ventura.
 Lugtu is a native of Olongapo City, but established a “palay buying” and “cono” (palay mill) business in Barangay Sta. Cruz three years ago.
 His neighbors suspected that his business was only a front for his drug dealings.
 “Nakaka-duda ang pagnegosyo niya (Lugtu) dito sa amin. Nagtayo siya ng konohan (palay mill) pero madalas namang sarado at ang pagbili niya ng palay paminsan-minsan lang. Laging siyang nagpupunta sa Olongapo (city) at alam ng halos lahat dito na siya ang nagbibigay at nagbebenta   ng shabu duto sa amin”, said a neighbor who requested his name withheld for security reasons. -- Nelson Bolos

 12 arrested for illegal gambling
BAGUIO CITY -- Nine persons were arrested at the residence of one of the suspects here at Purok 1, City Camp Proper night of May 26 for illegal gambling after judge Maria Ligaya Itliong-Rivera issued search warrant.  
Arrested were  Lenie Pascual De La Cruz, 53, owner of the house, Amparo Napoles, 65; Angelita Leguan Belanio, 77; Rodolfo Bacani De La Cruz, 71; Artemio Tactaquin Abalos, 62; Encarnacion Bocasaw Baquiran, 69; Arnold Dizon Cayco, 50; Billy Manalese Razon, 59 and Brigido Bacani De La Cruz, 58.
Items recovered were four majhong sets P2,490 cash, one set plastic playing cards, three majhong tables, and eight monoblock chairs.

Man nabbed for illegal gun, bullets
BAGUIO CITY – A gun holder was arrested here after failing to present documents of their firearms.
Suspect, Richard Ninobla De Vera, 30, of Red Alley Lower QM, was nabbed night of May 26 inside Tonicx Bar, Otek Street after he was caught in possession of five bullets for shot gun placed inside his back pack.

Carpenter arrested in checkpoint for firing gun
HUNGDUAN, Ifugao – A carpenter identified as Danilo Madiwo Liwliwa, 35 of Barangay Ba-ang here was arrested May 27 after firing his gun in his residence in Danggo,Tinoc. He tried to evade arrest using a hired motorcycle but was stopped at a Tinoc checkpoint. Seized from his possession was a Cal. 38 pistol loaded with 6 bullets and additional  three bullets inside his sling bag.

Man’s house searched; guns, bullets found
MANABO, Abra – A certain Ramir Danga-ap Ruperto was arrested after the police seized assorted ammunition in his residence in Barangay Catacdegan Nuevo here recently.  This, after judge Raphiel F. Alzate, of RTC Branch 58, Bucay issued warrant against him. Siezed from his residence were 11 bullets for Cal. .45, Cal. 357, Cal. 22 and Cal. 9mm.

BI recaptures two South Korean fugitives in Tarlac
 TARLAC CITY -- Two South Korean fugitives, who escaped from detention almost three months ago, have been recaptured in this city, the Bureau of Immigration  announced Tuesday.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Park Wangyeol and Jung Jaeyul, both 38 years old were rearrested May 29 during a joint operation by agents from the BI intelligence division and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Morente said informants helped the arresting agents traced the whereabouts of the suspects who were collared in a surprise raid at their apartment on Macabulos Street, Barangay San Pablo, Tarlac City.
The BI said the two South Koreans went into hiding for nearly three months since they escaped from the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, last March 6.
Authorities suspected that Park and Jung are members of a criminal syndicate involved in gun-for-hire and swindling activities and prey on their compatriots in the Philippines.
Park  is the subject of an Interpol red notice due to his alleged involvement in the murder of three Koreans in Pampanga last year.
BI intelligence officer Jude Hinolan, a member of the arresting team, reported that the aliens were armed when arrested but they were surprised by the raid they could not offer any resistance.
Hinolan said his team seized from the duo a caliber .38 revolver, bullets, fake identification cards, and several credit cards in the names of other Korean nationals. – Jun Ramirez

Laborer hacked for leaving drinking spree
BUGUIAS, Benguet – A farmer was hacked by another here recently at Pua,Cayapas, Baculongan Sur. The victim was identified as Asher Sacla Onogen, 31, Tublay town who suffered three wounds on his face. The suspect was identified as Marainao Kindipan Dizon of Sablan town. The victim was rushed to Lutheran Hospital, Abatan here by  neighbors while the suspect run away.
Investigation disclosed that victim and suspect had their drinking spree on the garden shanty after their work. The victim asked permission from the suspect if he could go ahead. While on his way, suspect followed him and without any reason, suspect hacked the victim on his face using his small bolo. Buguias are still locating the suspect.

La Trinidad church robbed of donation money
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The San Jose Church was recently robbed here of undisclosed amount of monetary donations.  The incident was reported by security guard Carlito Genove Romano, 49, of Sto. Niño Barangay, Baguio City. Investigation disclosed suspect/s  entered the storage room and took donation boxes and their contents. The collection money was of unknown value because it was not opened since December 2016.

2 Kiangan farmers nabbed for estafa
KIANGAN, Ifugao – Cops arrested Roe Calindas Lunag, 48 and Erwin Dulnuan Manghi, 29, both farmers of Barangay Baguinge here for estafa. This, after judge Romeo U. Habbiling of RTC Branch 14, Lagawe, issued arrested warrants against them setting bail of  P8,000 each.

PUJ driver nabbed for reckless imprudence
LAGAWE, Ifugao – Police recently nabbed here Victor Dulludul Hangdaan, 49, public utility jeep driver. The accused was arrested at his residence following warrant issued against him by Judge Francisco O. Pilpil of 2nd Judicial Region, MTC, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya for reckless imprudence resulting to physical injuries and damage to property with bail set at P30,000.
The accused was brought to Lagawe police station and later presented to Branch 14, Regional Trial Court, 2nd Judicial Region, Lagawe where he posted bail.

Vegetable dealer arrested for estafa 
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet  -- A certain Carol Ann Lasaten, 32, vegetable dealer of AE 215 Western Buyagan here was arrested recently after Jennifer P. Humiding, presiding judge of Regional trial Court, Branch 63, First Judicial Region, La Trinidad, ordered her arrest for estafa. The accused posted P52,000 for her temporary liberty.

Tattoo artist’s car hits 4-year-old boy  
BAGUIO CITY --  A 4-year-old boy  was injured when a vehicle driven by a tattoo artist recently bumped him here  around 6 p.m. here along Block 4 of city public market near Julie’s Bakeshop. The victim was named as Carlo Valdez Domingo.
Investigation disclosed a Nissan sedan driven by Jose Leoparte Enriquez 33 of No. 63 M. Roxas Street, Trancoville, was going towards Magsaysay Road when the victim who was crossing from the right side was hit by the vehicle. The victim was brought by the driver to Saint Louis and mother of the victim named as Joanne Valdez to University Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment. Responding police confiscated the vehicle’s license plate and OR/CR of the vehicle.

 Engineer falls from roof trying to extinguish fire
LAGAWE, Ifugao – An engineer was recently injured while trying to put out fire that partially razed his house here around 1 p.m. located along Yakal Street, Poblacion North, Lagawe.
Investigation showed that the fire emanated from the dirty kitchen, reached piled fire wood, got bigger and reached the ceiling. Victim Romeo Cumila Namuhe climbed the roof of the kitchen to suppress the fire but fell from the rooftop. Hwas injured and brought to Natuwolan Clinic by concerned citizens for  treatment.
 The fire was extinguished around 20 minutes later by firemen, private water delivery tankers, cops and residents.

Building caretaker found dead in  Baguio  
BAGUIO CITY – A caretaker of a building was recently found dead here at the living room of De Guzman Building, corner Bench Lane, Suello Village, Bakakeng Central. A police report said Vicente Yante Cariño, 31, of Arellano, Dagupan City, Pangasinan was found dead on a bed at the center of the living room.
Responding cops led by Supt. Rodrigo Leal brought Cariño’s body to Damayan Funeral Homes along Km. 5, Marcos Highway, Baguio City for autopsy. 

Two men arrested for shabu in Baguio
BAGUIO CITY – Two men were arrested here last week for alleged drug peddling. Ramil Camacho Vendiola, 36, was nabbed here at Barangay outpost of Padre Zamora while Gerald Latore Yango, 22, was arrested along Lower Rock Quarry. Seized from Vendiola were shabu, P500 buy-bust money and drug paraphernalia while taken from Yango were also shabu; P1,000 buy bust money and Samsung cell phone.

Two men arrested for shabu in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Two alleged drug peddlers were recently arrested here. Reyfil Chulisan Lapnawan, 25, tricycle driver, was nabbed here at Purok 7, Sitio Sunrise Village, San Juan, while Cosme Lupao Agnaya was nabbed at Lammawin St., Purok 2, Bulanao Norte. Seized from Lapnawan were shabu; P1,350.00 buy-bust money, two cell phones and motorcycle with side car. Seized from Agnaya were shabu, P200 and cell phone. 

DPWH-Abra: Barbs on projects misplaced

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BANGUED, Abra – Following media barbs, the Department of Public Works and Highways -Abra District Engineering Office official said implementation of projects by DPWH offices depends on funds allocated per project and gave update of infrastructure projects in the province.
“Only projects costing less than P100 million are implemented by the district engineering offices,” said Agnes Borlas-Bernardez, head of construction section, DPWH-Abra DE in interview with media. Bernardez said the three big bridge construction projects in the province of Abra are to be undertaken by the DPWH-Cordillera regional office and by the DPWH-Central Office.
The construction of Baay Bridge along the Abra-Cervantes National Road in Barangay Lagangilang will be implemented by the DPWH-CAR while the construction of Soot Bridge along the Abra-Ilocos Norte National Road in La Paz with a project cost of P402 million and Damalin Bridge along Abra-Cervantes Road worth P136 million will be administered by the DPWH-Central Office.
She, however, could not tell when these projects that   are long awaited by the people of Abra would start.
Giving updates on other bridge projects in the province, Bernardez reported that the construction of the San Antonio Bridge in Bangued that started in 2016 with an initial fund of P15 million is still ongoing with an additional fund of P50 million for 2017.

She reported  repair of existing bridges along two major road networks in the province are being carried out. The Calaba Bridge along the Abra-Ilocos Norte National Road that was constructed by the past administrations is allocated with Php4M while the Alinaya Bridge along Abra-ilocos Sur Road in Pidigan is earmarked P7.3M for their repair and improvement. -- PIA Abra

Lu councilor, 2 others nabbed for guns, bullets

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By Erwin Beleo

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union – A village councilor and two others were arrested for illegal possession of firearms during successive searches conducted by police in Sudipen, Bauang, and San Fernando City recently, the La Union Police Provincial Office reported.
Backed by search warrants, the operations were part of several preemptive moves of the local Philippine National Police to rid La Union of loose firearms, police information officer Chief Insp. Silverio Ordinado Jr. said.
The councilman was identified as Giovanni Sarmiento, 36, of Barangay Castro, Sudipen. His house was raided by authorities.
Seized from Sarmiento’s house were a homemade .45 pistol, one empty magazine, and several 9mm live ammunitions.

The police raiders executed a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition) issued by Judge Ruben Corpuz of Municipal Trial Court in Sudipen, La Union.

RTC judge clears Camp John Hay executives of malversation

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BAGUIO CITY -- The case filed against executives of the Camp John Hay Development Corp. by former Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Arnel Casanova in 2012 has been dismissed.
The Baguio City regional trial court cleared Robert John Sobrepeña, CJHDevCo chief executive officer and chairman; Ferdinand Santos, executive vice president;  Alfredo Yñiguez, chief operating officer, and  Emily Roces-Falco, chief finance officer, after the Supreme Court ruled with finality that the malversation case against them should be dismissed for lack of evidence.
Baguio RTC Branch 6 Judge Cecillia Corazon Dulay–Archog issued the order on May 15 after receiving the entry of judgment of the SC resolution dated Nov. 9, 2016.
The Baguio RTC also ordered the cancellation and release of the cash and travel bonds posted by the respondents.
“The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the malversation case only indicates that Casanova resorted to filing a nuisance case as part of its propaganda against us in his attempt to besmirch our reputation and integrity. This also clearly shows how Casanova abused his power as BCDA president,” Yñiguez said. 



Governors' league supports Martial Law declaration

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By Myds Supnad

The Association of Governors of the Philippines expressed support for President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao.
Ilocos Sur governor Ryan Singson, president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), told this writer that ULAP is supportive to Duterte's move placing entire Mindanao area under Martial Law.
"Sinusuportahan ng ULAP si Presidente Duterte sa kanyang pagdeklara ng Martial Law sa Mindanao," said Gov Singson, the youngest governor to lead ULAP.
Few days ago, Duterte declared Martia Law in Mindanao to quell rebellion by a small but dangerous group of Maute, a local terror group sympathizing with ISIS, that swooped down on Marawi city, killing civilians, soldiers and policemen after occupying Church, hospitals and schools.
Businessman Al Balan, president of the Intelligence Support and Action Force ( ISAF-CIDG), a civilian group of professionals and businessmen tapped by the CIDG to help provide intelligence and movements of lawless elements, also said that President Duterte's declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao is a must whose objective is to protect the public from terrorism.
Balan cautioned opponents of Martial Law such as political foes of the president and other leaders of students to consider the interest and safety of the public and not just issuing negative statements to get a "free publicity from the media."
Judith Angeles, Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry in Central Luzon, said martial law declaration does not affect the business industry as showed by the continued pouring in of investments to the country.
Eleazar Frondoza, an international physical fitness instructor based in Tagum city, said the atmosphere of peace in their area is so peaceful and business as usual in Mindanao, except Marawi city.
Frondoza regularly travels Tagum, Zamboanga, Lanao del Sur and Bataan.

"The people here are not worried and even supportive of martial law, knowing the terroristic activities of the Maute group," added Frondoza.-Myds Supnad

SunTrust permit recall looms over Mines View road collapse

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By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY  – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan ordered the city engineering office and the city buildings and architecture office to monitor compliance of SunTrust Properties Inc. to permits issued by the local government for its ongoing condominium project along Gibraltar and make recommendations on status of permits.
The mayor said the developer should not put the blame on other agencies for the collapse of almost half of the road within its construction site because there might have been lapses on how it complied with the issued permits.
“We will not hesitate to cancel the permits issued by the city to SunTrust once it fails to implement the appropriate mitigating measures on the collapsed road and its own riprap project. We should not point fingers at this time but the developer must start working on remedial measures to restore the road or face the consequence of its permit being revoked until such time that it complies with whatever conditions that will be imposed on it,” Domogan said.
He said putting the blame on the drainage project of the Department of Public works and Highways–Baguio City District Engineering Office as the culprit for the collapsed portion of the road seems as it should have taken the necessary steps to protect the collapse of the drainage and the road and not to have waited for the situation to worsen.
According to him, the developer should first restore its damaged riprap project to allow the installation of the appropriate drainage system within the area before the replacement for the destroyed pavement can be made.
Domogan directed CEO and CBAO personnel to closely monitor measures being taken by the developer and to submit a report to him to assess if there is a need to cancel the permits issued to the company or await whatever completed works that will be done before evaluating and assessing the situation of the place.
He claimed the company should be mindful of the importance of completing the repair and rehabilitation of the damaged road because it is the only access for the residents of Gibraltar and Mines View to their homes and to their workplaces, schools among others, as the total closure of the road will create a chaotic situation.
He urged company, representatives of concerned government agencies and several offices of the local government to get their acts together in finding the appropriate solution to the immediate restoration of the damaged portions of the road and the private property to prevent the situation from worsening.


Baguio police chief gets OK of screening committee

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By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The city’s screening committee for city police director unanimously voted for Senior Supt. Ramil L. Saculles as the next chief of Baguio’s Finest.
Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, who chaired the 9-man local screening committee, transmitted to the Police Regional Office (PRO) the selection of Saculles as the next BCPO /City Director based on the criteria for selection embodied under Administrative Order No. 057, series of 2017.
 Saculles, a member of the Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1993, garnered an average of 96 percent based on the criteria contained in the Administrative Order while Senior Supt. Edgar Allan Okubo garnered an average rating of 88 percent with Senior Supt. David Peredo, Jr. coming in third with an average rating of 82.5 percent while Senior Supt. Mark Pespes placed fourth with an average rating of 70 percent.
Senior Supt. Peter Nabuye, who earlier signified his intention to be interviewed as one of those in the submitted shortlist, failed to appear during the scheduled screening at the city mayor’s office.

Aside from Domogan, screening committee members were City Administrator Carlos M. Canilao, City Prosecutor Elmer Manuel Sagsago, DILG Baguio Field Office City Director Evelyn B. Trinidad, City Human Resource Management Officer Augustin P. Laban III, Peter Ng of the business sector, Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) president Lita Jane Cadalig, BCBC immediate past president Ramon S. Dacawi and Councilor Michael L. Lawana.

Three die, 12 hurt in La Union, Isabela mishaps

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By Freddie Lazaro and Liezle Basa Iñigo
LUNA, La Union — Two separate accidents resulted in the killing of two construction workers in La Union and a man in Isabela province recently, police said.
In La Union, two construction workers died and 10 others were injured when a cement truck overturned after the road collapsed beneath it in Barangay Oaqui, Luna town.
Chief Insp. Arsenio Ramos, Luna police chief, identified the fatalities as Jerry Olpindo, 21, and Jeremy Madrigal, both residents of Barangay Nagsabaran, Bangar, La Union.
They died when the cement mixture in the truck poured over them.
Those injured were Alan Pascua, 29; Jerry Ormita, 24; Antonio Rivera, 35; Jesus Rivera, 36; Eric Hidalgo, 18, Reynaldo Munio, 55; Christopher Lopez, 26; William Bustamante, 18; Joel Monis, 25; Raul Madrid, 23; and Me-oan James Casem, 19.
Cement truck driver Eugenio Riotoc, 50, said he was surprised when the road they were traveling suddenly collapsed.
Meanwhile in Isabela, a Mitsubishi Strada pick-up crashed into the welcome marker of Aurora town, resulting in the death of one of its occupants – Dennis Cayetano – at 8:40 p.m. May 24.
The driver AJ Baligad and the other passenger Victor Fernan, 13, were injured and taken to the hospital.

Senior Insp. Melvin delos Santos, local police chief, said Baligad is being investigated for possible alcohol intoxication while behind the wheel.

Arrest warrants set vs ex- Tarlac mayor, 4 others on P23-M cemetery anomaly

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By Nelson Bolos

MAYANTOC, Tarlac – The Ombudsman barred Mayantoc former mayor Tito Razalan and four other high ranking town officials barred from holding public office following P23 million anomalous construction of the public cemetery here.
The decision of the Ombudsman was based on administrative case filed against Razalan and his four co–accused relative to the construction of the public cemetery in 2009.
Alsoindicted by the Ombudsman were Rodolfo Corpuz, former municipal engineer; Nilda Salazar, municipal treasurer; Florence Bueno, budget officer and Marilene Bedania, administrative officer.
“Records show that Corpuz and Razalan facilitated the release of the payment amounting to P23,048,230.15 to JQG Construction by issuing the certificate of project acceptance and certificate of project completion which was found to be incomplete and inoperational,” the Ombudsman said. 
The Ombudsman added Razalan approved and instructed the release of payments to the contractor without securing certification of the municipal accountant on “completeness of the project and of the supporting documents”.
Though Razalan and Corpuz are no longer in office, their dismissal will be converted into a fine equivalent to their salary for one year.
The ombudsman said a total of P23,048,230.15 was paid to JQG despite the project was not  complete and non-operational and the payment to the contractor was made without a certification of the municipal accountant.
On ocular inspection, there were several cracks on the cemetery’s concrete roads, fencing and other facilities.
The cemetery, Mayantoc Memorial Park, was a project implemented during the mayoral term of Razalan in 2008 and was funded from a loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines.
The Ombudsman has already issued a decision on the criminal case against Razalan and his co-accused which found them liable under the Anti-Graft and Corruption Act.
The Sandiganbayan is set to issue a warrant of arrest for Razalan and his co-accused.

Sought for comment, Mayor Iluminado Pobre said, “justice has been served to the people of Mayantoc. They (Razalan and four co-accused) have to pay the consequences of their wrong doing”.  
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