At PRESSing time
Johana Vi E. Gasga/BUDYONG
It seems that threats of Mayon’s imminent eruption last year are dwindling. Likewise, the month-long sympathetic publicity of some local and presidential candidates with the thousands of evacuees in Albay has been petering out in news screens and in prints.
Indeed, the holiday season is the time for spending much and sharing less. And so, political aspirants in the May 2010 elections did not pass the chance of basking in the limelight while distributing foodstuff and basic necessities for the refugees.
Just after she got off the plane from Hong Kong, President GMA flew again to visit some 45,000 local folks at the evacuation centers in the province. Who wouldn’t be thankful of preserved goods, temporary comforts and amusements? But what we need are long-term solutions providing aid to residents within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone. These temporary relief or solutions offered by the government would not even ease the discomfort they endured while staying at the evacuation centers, away from their family members (who have been slipping out to watch over their houses at night). Nor would it compensate for their lost livelihood including crops which should have been harvested after leaving their residences due to forced evacuation. In all likelihood, Pres. GMA’s agenda seems to be like a double-edged sword—highly charged with political mileage and making ‘pa-ganda’ points to gain public trust through “public service.”After all, she would be agin pursuing her desire to be a (deceptive) public servant in our ailing country, stressing a line from one of her speeches: “After much contemplation, I realized I’m not ready to step down completely from public service.”
* * *
As if to follow the footsteps of the president, Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearers for president and vice-president, respectively, also visited the evacuation camps in Daraga and Legazpi City. They are fake Santa Clauses without the white beard, bringing cheer and hope in an attempt to establish a good image. No surprises to that. After all, the 2010 election is just a couple of months away and the candidates have been scouring every nook and cranny of our country for the best – or shall I say most depressed – place to spread their good deeds to. And the evacuation centers in Albay happened to be the best among the most depressed.
It is a pity indeed how some of the candidates would take full advantage of certain situations just to create a good public image. But it is more pitiable to see how they desperately seek the approval of the public that they would go as far as exploiting the poorest of the poor for the votes they've been dying for. Little saints, that's what the politicians would morph into at the peak of election campaign. But once the election is over and the lucky few get elected, their true form would eventually come back and reveal themselves.
Helping others in times of calamities is one thing. Doing it for their benefit is another.
Monday, July 19, 2010
TOTAL GUN BAN: A LESSER VIOLENT SOCIETY
Advocacy Report
March 2010
Johana Vi E. Gasga
“A lesser violence is installing freedom in the people from fear.”
This has been the primary aim of the Philippine National Police (PNP V) Bicol following the strict implementation of the total gun ban policy imposed by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) with the onset of the political campaign for the May 2010 polls.
Police Supt. Eliciar Bron, Bicol regional police spokesperson said that the effectivity of the COMELEC Resolution No. 8714, which states that no person shall bear firearms in all public places, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, has a positive impact on criminality rate in the region.
Following the enforcement of the Executive Order No. 817 or the surrendering of loose firearms, a presidential commission was created by the Malacanang to put an end in the proliferation of carrying undocumented guns and the possible dismantling of private armed groups, which might mar the first poll automation in the country.
The guideline, however, said that only those persons who are in the regular plantilla of law enforcement agencies are authorized to bear deadly weapons. Included in the exemption of the ban are the members of the AFP, PNP and other government law enforcement agencies deputized by the COMELEC.
Lower crime rate, economic boon
“We believe that one of the initial steps to curb the proliferation of loose firearms during election is through the implementation of gun ban,” Bron asserted.
A study made by the PNP shows that for the past several years, almost 70 percent of the crimes committed in the country have involved illegal use of firearms.
“Criminality with the use of firearms has been reduced at about 30 percent and lower at present,” Bron said in an interview. Thus, the prohibition of bearing firearms outside residences will be “the start of bringing a lasting peace to the country.”
He added that less violence means more investments, “more investors will be coming over and that will pump our economy.”
“The people will be leaving in comfort, free from fear and that is now the avenue of where we can exploit of developing our talents in business. Perhaps we can discuss politics freely and openly,” Bron further said when asked about the feasible effect of this policy on the society.
Gun ban campaign
With its immediate enforcement, local authorities have been undertaking a more intensified campaign against loose firearms thriving in the region.
And due to intense political rivalry and the presence of communist guerillas in upper areas, the COMELEC has placed Bicol region including its 77 towns in the list of the election “hot spots”.
Having the highest number of election-related violence in the region, Masbate has been closely watched by PNP personnel and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to avert any possible unprecedented violence arising from political campaign exercise.
By way of showing dissent over pre-election crimes, the Church has also stepped up on its advocacy on a gunless society, specifically in the island-province of Masbate, where high-powered firearms reportedly exist in every household.
Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi, who has been the bishop of Masbate for 10 years, has supported the all-out gun ban campaign in his plain ways of silent protest, sincere advocacy and fervent prayer.
“I have regularly included this gunless campaign in my homilies, I even asked my parishioners during sermons to raise their hands if they don’t have any firearms in their homes, to my surprise no one raised their hands, Baylon retold one of his sermons during a Mass in Masbate church.
Implementation
Meanwhile, President Arroyo has directed to create a security commission and, thus study the possible dismantling of private armed groups in order to have a clean, peaceful and honest election process in the country.
This has led to the creation of the Joint Security Coordinating Center in cities and down to provincial security committee center being manned by local commander of the Army, COMELEC, and PNP, Bron explained.
The newly established offices as security body centers determine the deployment of these personnel in the conduct of checkpoints with the approval of the COMELEC, said the spokesperson.
Based on the reports validated and confirmed by the Intellegence peronnnel, aside from static checkpoints in some alleged election areas of concern, there should be a marked vehicle, personnel of either PNP or Army equipped with a lighted or visible identification cards especially at night.
He furthered that police operatives and army troopers have to be in complete uniform, under an officer that must observe police procedures to the utmost human rights of the commuters.
“We have mobile checkpoints installed in places where we believe unscrupulous people with personal guns will be passing by,” said Bron as their hint.
In the deployment of additional personnel, however, when the local campaign period starts by March 26, he added: “We are going to place some of our personnel both ARMY and the PNP on conceded-election watch list areas.”
In case of Masbate with 21 recorded pre-election incidents this year, the moment the local campaign period starts will be the only time for the local officials to determine the additional forces, depending on the contesting political parties.
Latest number of violators
There are now 77 gun ban violators regionwide, of which Masbate taking the highest number of checkpoint accomplishments. Out of 30, five of them were barangay captains and government officials, according to Bron.
This was followed by Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes and Camarines Norte with one recorded violator.
The apprehension of violators was the result of intensified checkpoint operations and service of search warrants.
Meanwhile, the duration for the gun ban has started from February 9 to June 9, based on the rules and regulations of the COMELEC.
“But in some places, we believe and if we can substantiate the possible eruption of violence because of some defeated candidates and or interference of some armed groups, we’ll keep checkpoint operations on continued bases until the place is normalized,” Bron assured.
And as the country braces for the May 2010 national and local elections, the government law enforcement body through the nationwide gun ban policy takes actions to once and for all curb the proliferation of election-related violence that has festered the country in decades.
With Filipinos filled so much with hope on the outcome of this year’s first ever poll automation, to make life better in this country, no effort must be spared to make this exercise as peaceful and credible as possible. Hostility among civilians and armed forces has to end now in order to achieve national integrity and better economy for the country.
Liberty wouldn’t be hard to install in from fear as it seems. It’s simple as: Putting one’s gun away.
March 2010
Johana Vi E. Gasga
“A lesser violence is installing freedom in the people from fear.”
This has been the primary aim of the Philippine National Police (PNP V) Bicol following the strict implementation of the total gun ban policy imposed by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) with the onset of the political campaign for the May 2010 polls.
Police Supt. Eliciar Bron, Bicol regional police spokesperson said that the effectivity of the COMELEC Resolution No. 8714, which states that no person shall bear firearms in all public places, even if licensed to possess or carry the same, has a positive impact on criminality rate in the region.
Following the enforcement of the Executive Order No. 817 or the surrendering of loose firearms, a presidential commission was created by the Malacanang to put an end in the proliferation of carrying undocumented guns and the possible dismantling of private armed groups, which might mar the first poll automation in the country.
The guideline, however, said that only those persons who are in the regular plantilla of law enforcement agencies are authorized to bear deadly weapons. Included in the exemption of the ban are the members of the AFP, PNP and other government law enforcement agencies deputized by the COMELEC.
Lower crime rate, economic boon
“We believe that one of the initial steps to curb the proliferation of loose firearms during election is through the implementation of gun ban,” Bron asserted.
A study made by the PNP shows that for the past several years, almost 70 percent of the crimes committed in the country have involved illegal use of firearms.
“Criminality with the use of firearms has been reduced at about 30 percent and lower at present,” Bron said in an interview. Thus, the prohibition of bearing firearms outside residences will be “the start of bringing a lasting peace to the country.”
He added that less violence means more investments, “more investors will be coming over and that will pump our economy.”
“The people will be leaving in comfort, free from fear and that is now the avenue of where we can exploit of developing our talents in business. Perhaps we can discuss politics freely and openly,” Bron further said when asked about the feasible effect of this policy on the society.
Gun ban campaign
With its immediate enforcement, local authorities have been undertaking a more intensified campaign against loose firearms thriving in the region.
And due to intense political rivalry and the presence of communist guerillas in upper areas, the COMELEC has placed Bicol region including its 77 towns in the list of the election “hot spots”.
Having the highest number of election-related violence in the region, Masbate has been closely watched by PNP personnel and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to avert any possible unprecedented violence arising from political campaign exercise.
By way of showing dissent over pre-election crimes, the Church has also stepped up on its advocacy on a gunless society, specifically in the island-province of Masbate, where high-powered firearms reportedly exist in every household.
Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi, who has been the bishop of Masbate for 10 years, has supported the all-out gun ban campaign in his plain ways of silent protest, sincere advocacy and fervent prayer.
“I have regularly included this gunless campaign in my homilies, I even asked my parishioners during sermons to raise their hands if they don’t have any firearms in their homes, to my surprise no one raised their hands, Baylon retold one of his sermons during a Mass in Masbate church.
Implementation
Meanwhile, President Arroyo has directed to create a security commission and, thus study the possible dismantling of private armed groups in order to have a clean, peaceful and honest election process in the country.
This has led to the creation of the Joint Security Coordinating Center in cities and down to provincial security committee center being manned by local commander of the Army, COMELEC, and PNP, Bron explained.
The newly established offices as security body centers determine the deployment of these personnel in the conduct of checkpoints with the approval of the COMELEC, said the spokesperson.
Based on the reports validated and confirmed by the Intellegence peronnnel, aside from static checkpoints in some alleged election areas of concern, there should be a marked vehicle, personnel of either PNP or Army equipped with a lighted or visible identification cards especially at night.
He furthered that police operatives and army troopers have to be in complete uniform, under an officer that must observe police procedures to the utmost human rights of the commuters.
“We have mobile checkpoints installed in places where we believe unscrupulous people with personal guns will be passing by,” said Bron as their hint.
In the deployment of additional personnel, however, when the local campaign period starts by March 26, he added: “We are going to place some of our personnel both ARMY and the PNP on conceded-election watch list areas.”
In case of Masbate with 21 recorded pre-election incidents this year, the moment the local campaign period starts will be the only time for the local officials to determine the additional forces, depending on the contesting political parties.
Latest number of violators
There are now 77 gun ban violators regionwide, of which Masbate taking the highest number of checkpoint accomplishments. Out of 30, five of them were barangay captains and government officials, according to Bron.
This was followed by Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Albay, Catanduanes and Camarines Norte with one recorded violator.
The apprehension of violators was the result of intensified checkpoint operations and service of search warrants.
Meanwhile, the duration for the gun ban has started from February 9 to June 9, based on the rules and regulations of the COMELEC.
“But in some places, we believe and if we can substantiate the possible eruption of violence because of some defeated candidates and or interference of some armed groups, we’ll keep checkpoint operations on continued bases until the place is normalized,” Bron assured.
And as the country braces for the May 2010 national and local elections, the government law enforcement body through the nationwide gun ban policy takes actions to once and for all curb the proliferation of election-related violence that has festered the country in decades.
With Filipinos filled so much with hope on the outcome of this year’s first ever poll automation, to make life better in this country, no effort must be spared to make this exercise as peaceful and credible as possible. Hostility among civilians and armed forces has to end now in order to achieve national integrity and better economy for the country.
Liberty wouldn’t be hard to install in from fear as it seems. It’s simple as: Putting one’s gun away.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
BU to procure ID machine
by Johana Vi E. Gasga, Rey Anthony Ostria, Laarni Grageda
Responding to the clamor of the freshmen students regarding the two-semester delayed release of their Identification cards (IDs), Glenn Narvaez, Office of the Student Services (OSS) Dean, attributed the delayed approval of a feasibility study on Bicol University’s (BU) procurement of its own Digital ID system.
The proposal took four months of further study before BU President Fay Lauraya signed its approval to procure digital ID machine for the freshmen students, new BU personnel and lost ID replacements. The results of the study were passed to Prof. Jerry Bigornia, BU, Vice President for Production (VPPA).
On the other hand, College Business Manager (CBM) 1 Antonio Olaguer said that the recommendation for the approval was sent to the OP as early as July 30, and it was only in November that Lauraya approved it. “I don’t know if there were deficiencies in the study (of the proposal) that it took months for the president to approve it,” Olaguer added.
However, Lauraya said, “I have already asked the VPPA to speed up the procurement of the ID machine.”
Although the University had been producing IDs for the past five years, the Office of the President (OP) still requested the OSS and the CBM to propose a feasibility study, “to make sure that the money will not come at a loss in the procurement of the IDs,” explained Narvaez.
Through the procurement of the digital ID machine, BU will no longer need to sub- contract a service provider in producing IDs in the next years.
For the past five years, the OSS, together with its service provider, AZITSUROG Inc., has been producing IDs for the University. But by March this year, Narvaez assured that BU will be producing its own IDs.
Financial, market estimates
According to the study, the University is projected to spend some P397,000 in pur- chasing the machine and in facilitating the fabrication of the IDs. The budget will be sourced out from the F-164 or ID fee collected from the first year students during the enrollment in the first semester.
“The OSS will be using the P75 ID fee to cover the expenses for the procurement as well as the maintenance of the machine,” Narvaez said when asked about the source of fund in the procurement of the new machine. He added that for the succeeding years, the office will only be using minimal materials and will only purchase the consumables.
Said ID fee will cover the payment for one dual-sided printer with lamination stage, a Lenovo notebook, an ID database, a web camera, a Genius signature pad, card acces- sories for 4,500 freshmen, and a two-month transportation and labor costs for two personnel in charge of operating the machine.
The OSS will also seek out prospective customers and advertise the printing of the digital IDs to other schools and offices in Legazpi to generate income starting 2010.
In the proposal read by Olaguer, the digital data stored in the ID will be utilized to give added value to the students in terms of security and other services, which will not be possible if it was just an ordinary ID.
It was also indicated in the proposal that the machine is estimated to have a con- servative, economic life of three years. Then, it would be replaced with a newer model to improve the efficiency of producing digital IDs.
Some P 20, 000 is projected for the maintenance of the machine in its second year. An additonal 15 percent increase in the following years is expected.
Meanwhile, Narvaez also requested the procurement of another machine for the sat- ellite campuses aside from the machine in the main campus. “We will be having an ‘on- site’ machine aside from the one in the main campus. The ‘on-site’ machine will be going to the satellite campuses where production of the IDs will take place separately,” Narvaez mentioned.
At press time, the OSS is in the bidding process of the procurement of the machine after it gained the approval of the President.
Responding to the clamor of the freshmen students regarding the two-semester delayed release of their Identification cards (IDs), Glenn Narvaez, Office of the Student Services (OSS) Dean, attributed the delayed approval of a feasibility study on Bicol University’s (BU) procurement of its own Digital ID system.
The proposal took four months of further study before BU President Fay Lauraya signed its approval to procure digital ID machine for the freshmen students, new BU personnel and lost ID replacements. The results of the study were passed to Prof. Jerry Bigornia, BU, Vice President for Production (VPPA).
On the other hand, College Business Manager (CBM) 1 Antonio Olaguer said that the recommendation for the approval was sent to the OP as early as July 30, and it was only in November that Lauraya approved it. “I don’t know if there were deficiencies in the study (of the proposal) that it took months for the president to approve it,” Olaguer added.
However, Lauraya said, “I have already asked the VPPA to speed up the procurement of the ID machine.”
Although the University had been producing IDs for the past five years, the Office of the President (OP) still requested the OSS and the CBM to propose a feasibility study, “to make sure that the money will not come at a loss in the procurement of the IDs,” explained Narvaez.
Through the procurement of the digital ID machine, BU will no longer need to sub- contract a service provider in producing IDs in the next years.
For the past five years, the OSS, together with its service provider, AZITSUROG Inc., has been producing IDs for the University. But by March this year, Narvaez assured that BU will be producing its own IDs.
Financial, market estimates
According to the study, the University is projected to spend some P397,000 in pur- chasing the machine and in facilitating the fabrication of the IDs. The budget will be sourced out from the F-164 or ID fee collected from the first year students during the enrollment in the first semester.
“The OSS will be using the P75 ID fee to cover the expenses for the procurement as well as the maintenance of the machine,” Narvaez said when asked about the source of fund in the procurement of the new machine. He added that for the succeeding years, the office will only be using minimal materials and will only purchase the consumables.
Said ID fee will cover the payment for one dual-sided printer with lamination stage, a Lenovo notebook, an ID database, a web camera, a Genius signature pad, card acces- sories for 4,500 freshmen, and a two-month transportation and labor costs for two personnel in charge of operating the machine.
The OSS will also seek out prospective customers and advertise the printing of the digital IDs to other schools and offices in Legazpi to generate income starting 2010.
In the proposal read by Olaguer, the digital data stored in the ID will be utilized to give added value to the students in terms of security and other services, which will not be possible if it was just an ordinary ID.
It was also indicated in the proposal that the machine is estimated to have a con- servative, economic life of three years. Then, it would be replaced with a newer model to improve the efficiency of producing digital IDs.
Some P 20, 000 is projected for the maintenance of the machine in its second year. An additonal 15 percent increase in the following years is expected.
Meanwhile, Narvaez also requested the procurement of another machine for the sat- ellite campuses aside from the machine in the main campus. “We will be having an ‘on- site’ machine aside from the one in the main campus. The ‘on-site’ machine will be going to the satellite campuses where production of the IDs will take place separately,” Narvaez mentioned.
At press time, the OSS is in the bidding process of the procurement of the machine after it gained the approval of the President.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
2 gun ban violators nabbed in Masbate
March 22, 2010
LEGAZPI CITY – As the national and local elections draw nearer, the number of gun ban violators has also been increasing in the areas of immediate concern in Bicol, particularly in Masbate province, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol.
PNP Task Force Masbate arrested Geronimo Remula I and Geronimo Remula II, both residents of Barangay Tan-awan in Placer town, Masbate, Sunday morning at their residences, said Police Superintendent Eliciar Lanon Bron, Bicol regional police spokesperson, in a statement.
The suspects were apprehended during a search warrant operation issued by Judge Maximo R. Ables of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 54, Gubat Sorsosgon for carrying firearms in public areas.
Bron said the operation was able to confiscate low and high-powered firearms, including two M-16 rifles (SN 207305 and 732070),one .45 cal pistol with serial number CO2669, four long steel magazines for M-16, one short magazine for M-16, a magazine for .45 caliber pistol, eight live ammunitions for .45 cal gun and 132 live ammunitions for M-16 rifle.
Meanwhile, around 101 persons were arrested in the latest count of gun ban violators regionwide. While at least five of them were barangay captains and government officials, Bron disclosed.
Records show that among the six provinces, Masbate takes the highest number of violation with 46 persons arrested, followed by Camarines Sur, 20; Sorsogon, 18; Albay, 9; and Camarines Norte, 7 and; Catanduanes with only one.
“We are going to place some of our personnel both ARMY and the PNP on conceded-election watch list areas when local campaign period starts by March 26,” said Bron, when asked on possible deployment of additional personnel in election hot areas as in Masbate.
He added that in the case of Masbate with 21 recorded pre-election incidents this year, the moment the local campaign period starts, will be the only time for the local officials to determine the additional forces, depending on the contesting political parties.
The gun ban is enforced to prevent proliferation of carrying undocumented firearms and possible dismantling of private-armed groups in preparation for the first poll automation in the country.Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY – As the national and local elections draw nearer, the number of gun ban violators has also been increasing in the areas of immediate concern in Bicol, particularly in Masbate province, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bicol.
PNP Task Force Masbate arrested Geronimo Remula I and Geronimo Remula II, both residents of Barangay Tan-awan in Placer town, Masbate, Sunday morning at their residences, said Police Superintendent Eliciar Lanon Bron, Bicol regional police spokesperson, in a statement.
The suspects were apprehended during a search warrant operation issued by Judge Maximo R. Ables of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 54, Gubat Sorsosgon for carrying firearms in public areas.
Bron said the operation was able to confiscate low and high-powered firearms, including two M-16 rifles (SN 207305 and 732070),one .45 cal pistol with serial number CO2669, four long steel magazines for M-16, one short magazine for M-16, a magazine for .45 caliber pistol, eight live ammunitions for .45 cal gun and 132 live ammunitions for M-16 rifle.
Meanwhile, around 101 persons were arrested in the latest count of gun ban violators regionwide. While at least five of them were barangay captains and government officials, Bron disclosed.
Records show that among the six provinces, Masbate takes the highest number of violation with 46 persons arrested, followed by Camarines Sur, 20; Sorsogon, 18; Albay, 9; and Camarines Norte, 7 and; Catanduanes with only one.
“We are going to place some of our personnel both ARMY and the PNP on conceded-election watch list areas when local campaign period starts by March 26,” said Bron, when asked on possible deployment of additional personnel in election hot areas as in Masbate.
He added that in the case of Masbate with 21 recorded pre-election incidents this year, the moment the local campaign period starts, will be the only time for the local officials to determine the additional forces, depending on the contesting political parties.
The gun ban is enforced to prevent proliferation of carrying undocumented firearms and possible dismantling of private-armed groups in preparation for the first poll automation in the country.Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
NPA slain in clash
March 1, 2010
LEGAZPI CITY – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter between the government troops and local rebels , Monday noon in Ligao City , Albay, said an Army official.
Captain Amadeo L. Saturnino, acting commander of the 21st Civil Relations Unit, 2nd Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRS-AFP), said that the soldiers of the Alpha Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, and the 901st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army were conducting combat operation at Barangay (village) Balanac in the said city at around 12:50 p.m. when a gunfight ensued between the Army and 12 NPAs.
Led by 1st Lieutenant. Jonel Tancio, the firefight lasted for about ten minutes that resulted to the recovery of one (1) M-14 rifle with undetermined number of wounded members on the enemy side, said Saturnino.
On the other hand, there was no reported casualty on the government side.
Saturnino said that the slain rebel was not yet identified by the local authorities.
Major General Ruperto R. Pabustan AFP, Commander General of the 9th Infantry Division, expressed his gratitude to the local residents who continuously support the programs of the Philippine Army against insurgency through their relayed information on the presence of NPA groups in the area and tip-offs of extortion activities.Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY – A member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter between the government troops and local rebels , Monday noon in Ligao City , Albay, said an Army official.
Captain Amadeo L. Saturnino, acting commander of the 21st Civil Relations Unit, 2nd Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRS-AFP), said that the soldiers of the Alpha Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, and the 901st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army were conducting combat operation at Barangay (village) Balanac in the said city at around 12:50 p.m. when a gunfight ensued between the Army and 12 NPAs.
Led by 1st Lieutenant. Jonel Tancio, the firefight lasted for about ten minutes that resulted to the recovery of one (1) M-14 rifle with undetermined number of wounded members on the enemy side, said Saturnino.
On the other hand, there was no reported casualty on the government side.
Saturnino said that the slain rebel was not yet identified by the local authorities.
Major General Ruperto R. Pabustan AFP, Commander General of the 9th Infantry Division, expressed his gratitude to the local residents who continuously support the programs of the Philippine Army against insurgency through their relayed information on the presence of NPA groups in the area and tip-offs of extortion activities.Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
Masbate village councilor killed
March 1, 2010
LEGAZPI CITY—At least two village officials were shot by armed suspects, leaving one dead and the other wounded in two separate incidents in Masbate province, Saturday, a police spokesperson said Monday.
Carlos Cabarles, 53, a village councillor (barangay kagawad) of Barangay Luy-a, in Aroroy town Masbate, together with his companion Reynaldo Caña was on board a tricycle Honda TMX with a plate no. EN 3718 when the incident happened at around 8:30 a.m. at the said place, said Police Superintendent Eliciar Bron, Bicol regional police spokesperson.
Bron said that Cabarles and Caña were on their way home after delivering eggplants at Barangay Puro when three unidentified suspects shot Cabarles dead while Caña managed to escape the attack but left wounded.
Police recovered two empty shells for cal.45 pistol at the crime scene.
In a separate incident, Baranagay Kagawad Arman Ado, 45 sustained a gun shot wound on his left breast after surviving an attack at Barangay Ilaya in Balud town, Masbate province, said Bron.
However, the victim managed to hit back the suspect by stabbing him with a bladed weapon during the shooting incident, which occurred at around 10:30 p.m.
The suspect, on the other was identified as Reggie Ado, who was under the influence of alcohol when the crime happened, said Bron.
He added that the wounded councillor was brought immediately to Masbate Provincial hospital for treatment.
The Masbate police has yet to determine if the two incidents are politically-motivated. They are now conducting search operations for the apprehension of the suspects. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY—At least two village officials were shot by armed suspects, leaving one dead and the other wounded in two separate incidents in Masbate province, Saturday, a police spokesperson said Monday.
Carlos Cabarles, 53, a village councillor (barangay kagawad) of Barangay Luy-a, in Aroroy town Masbate, together with his companion Reynaldo Caña was on board a tricycle Honda TMX with a plate no. EN 3718 when the incident happened at around 8:30 a.m. at the said place, said Police Superintendent Eliciar Bron, Bicol regional police spokesperson.
Bron said that Cabarles and Caña were on their way home after delivering eggplants at Barangay Puro when three unidentified suspects shot Cabarles dead while Caña managed to escape the attack but left wounded.
Police recovered two empty shells for cal.45 pistol at the crime scene.
In a separate incident, Baranagay Kagawad Arman Ado, 45 sustained a gun shot wound on his left breast after surviving an attack at Barangay Ilaya in Balud town, Masbate province, said Bron.
However, the victim managed to hit back the suspect by stabbing him with a bladed weapon during the shooting incident, which occurred at around 10:30 p.m.
The suspect, on the other was identified as Reggie Ado, who was under the influence of alcohol when the crime happened, said Bron.
He added that the wounded councillor was brought immediately to Masbate Provincial hospital for treatment.
The Masbate police has yet to determine if the two incidents are politically-motivated. They are now conducting search operations for the apprehension of the suspects. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
Teen drowned, 1 still missing in Cam Norte beach
February 6, 2010
LEGAZPI CITY – Local rescuers recovered yesterday the body of a 14-year-old girl, who was drowned last Thursday after being swept by big waves at Mantigbi beach in Vinzons town, Camarines Norte, a police official reported Saturday.
Liezel Villeno of Barangay Del Carmen, Vinzons was found floating near Sitio Sabang, Labo in Barangay Sula, two days after she disappeared at the beach with her colleague Maribel Pada, 14 of the same residence, said Police Superintendent Eliciar Bron, Bicol regional police spokesperson.
However, Cam Norte police said that they have yet to recover the body of Pada, a second year high school student of Vinzons National High School, added Bron.
And at press time, the rescue team has yielded negative result.
Initial police reports said that victims were last seen by some youngsters waving their hands when a flash of waves hit the two and were no longer seen.
Meanwhile, Villeno’s cadaver was brought by her relatives at Vinzons Funeral Homes while the other victim is still missing. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY – Local rescuers recovered yesterday the body of a 14-year-old girl, who was drowned last Thursday after being swept by big waves at Mantigbi beach in Vinzons town, Camarines Norte, a police official reported Saturday.
Liezel Villeno of Barangay Del Carmen, Vinzons was found floating near Sitio Sabang, Labo in Barangay Sula, two days after she disappeared at the beach with her colleague Maribel Pada, 14 of the same residence, said Police Superintendent Eliciar Bron, Bicol regional police spokesperson.
However, Cam Norte police said that they have yet to recover the body of Pada, a second year high school student of Vinzons National High School, added Bron.
And at press time, the rescue team has yielded negative result.
Initial police reports said that victims were last seen by some youngsters waving their hands when a flash of waves hit the two and were no longer seen.
Meanwhile, Villeno’s cadaver was brought by her relatives at Vinzons Funeral Homes while the other victim is still missing. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
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