LEGAZPI CITY -- The silence and solemnity of Sabado de Gloria broke into mourning when two children drowned at Capalonga beach in Camarines Norte, a police official reported Monday.
Chief Insp Ayn Natuel, Bicol regional police spokesperson said Jordan Cedric Realubit, 7 of Fairview Quezon City and Jude Michael, 10 of Sitio Balisok, Bgy. Ubang, Capalonga, Camarines Norte were swimming at the Water Control in Bgy Itok, Capalonga when the two disappeared around 11:30 a.m.
Capalonga PNP reported that the two playmates were to bath in the beach, while the relatives were preparing for their lunch when the victims accidentally slip off to the deep portion of the sea causing them to go under water.
Their bodies were retrieved by their relatives and rushed to Cam. Norte Provincial Hospital Annex II at Bgy Talobatib, Labo but the physician declared them dead on arrival.
Natuel added that Realubit and Bernalez who are studying at Capalonga Central Elementary School were on a summer outing with their relatives.
In a separate incident, a 6-year-old girl was found dead along the river in Mercedez town in Cam Norte on Saturday, police reported.
According to Natuel, the victim identified as Aira Marie Naje of Purok 4, Brgy Lanot, Mecedez Cam Norte and was found around 6:00 a.m.
The corpse of the victim was noticed by the passing residents dumped on a rock along the river and was immediately retrieved by the locals.
Initial investigation showed that on the evening of Friday (April 10), the victim was last seen watching tv inside her lola’s house. The grandmother of Naje entrusted the child to a Melvin Dasco to accompany her granddaughter in going home.
Natuel said the victim failed to return home that evening and was found dead wearing only her upper clothes early morning of Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Mercedez PNP is still conducting thorough investigation of the possible rape incident while Naje’s body is undergoing a post mortem examination. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Another quake shakes Albay
LEGAZPI CITY -- A mild crack was seen in Guinobatan church’s wall after a 3.7 magnitude earthquake shook on Monday afternoon in Albay, Office of the Civil Defense V (OCD) reported.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) observatory in Ligñon Hill report, the tremor occurred at around 6:37 p.m. which was plotted at 13 kilometers north, 23 degrees west of Legazpi City.
Intensity 2 was recorded in Legazpi City. No other damages and casualties were recorded yet.
The quake was tectonic in origin and was traced at a depth of 037 kilometers.
Jenila de Ocampo, Science Research Specialist of (PHILVOCS) said over the radio that the recent earthquakes felt in Bicol region were not related to the latest quake in Italy which reported a number of casualties.
Meanwhile, a resident of Guinobatan told the Inquirer that the quake felt yesterday was stronger, which brought again fear to some of them. “Some of the motorcycles outside were really shaking,” Theza Ramos said.
The Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council in Guinobatan is conducting inspection of Guinobatan church and other establishments, Tuesday.
At least two earthquakes were felt in the region this April, while the first was noted last April 1 in Daet, Camarines Norte with a magnitude of 5.2. Johana Vi Gasga
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) observatory in Ligñon Hill report, the tremor occurred at around 6:37 p.m. which was plotted at 13 kilometers north, 23 degrees west of Legazpi City.
Intensity 2 was recorded in Legazpi City. No other damages and casualties were recorded yet.
The quake was tectonic in origin and was traced at a depth of 037 kilometers.
Jenila de Ocampo, Science Research Specialist of (PHILVOCS) said over the radio that the recent earthquakes felt in Bicol region were not related to the latest quake in Italy which reported a number of casualties.
Meanwhile, a resident of Guinobatan told the Inquirer that the quake felt yesterday was stronger, which brought again fear to some of them. “Some of the motorcycles outside were really shaking,” Theza Ramos said.
The Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council in Guinobatan is conducting inspection of Guinobatan church and other establishments, Tuesday.
At least two earthquakes were felt in the region this April, while the first was noted last April 1 in Daet, Camarines Norte with a magnitude of 5.2. Johana Vi Gasga
Cop killed in Masbate killings
LEGAZPI CITY – Another police officer was shot dead by suspected member of NPA SPARU unit in Masbate town, Sunday, police reported Tuesday.
Masbate police officers identified the fatality as SPO1 Luis Jimenez Medillo Jr, 48 of Brgy Poblacion, Palanas, Masbate.
Chief Insp. Ayn Natuel, Bicol regional police spokesperson said that the victim was about to ride in his motorcycle at around 7:00 a.m. at his residence when the suspect halted in front of Medillo and shot him from behind.
An empty shell for cal .45 pistol was recovered in the crime scene.
Natuel added that joint elements of Palanas, Masabate Police and 507th Provincial Police Mobile Group are now conducting pursuit operations in Masbate.
The NPA rebels are also believed the suspects in the recent shooting incidents in Masbate.
Johana Vi E. Gasga
Masbate police officers identified the fatality as SPO1 Luis Jimenez Medillo Jr, 48 of Brgy Poblacion, Palanas, Masbate.
Chief Insp. Ayn Natuel, Bicol regional police spokesperson said that the victim was about to ride in his motorcycle at around 7:00 a.m. at his residence when the suspect halted in front of Medillo and shot him from behind.
An empty shell for cal .45 pistol was recovered in the crime scene.
Natuel added that joint elements of Palanas, Masabate Police and 507th Provincial Police Mobile Group are now conducting pursuit operations in Masbate.
The NPA rebels are also believed the suspects in the recent shooting incidents in Masbate.
Johana Vi E. Gasga
Bloody Glorious Mystery
It happened on a Wednesday (March 5, 2009), to a 20-year old teacher near their house in Bago Gallera de Oro Subdivision in Davao City. It was at about 6:30 in the afternoon of that mysterious day when she was snatched by armed men, suspected by her family as military agents.
She was found dead by a farmer with stab wounds and torture marks near an irrigation ditch. The autopsy report indicated a laceration in her genitals and believed to have been harshly raped.
Rebelyn Pitao was the daughter of a ranking communist guerilla, ‘Commander Parago’. He is a communist rebel who never weakens the cause of the revolution against the oppressive government despite the brutal fate of his youngest slain daughter.
How ironic the day (Wednesday) when she was brutally tortured by unidentified agents and let the innocent lady suffered the agony that was not really set for her fate.
In fact, it should have been a glorious, resurrection day to a pious, Virgin Mary devotee. Haha. I was bothered by the day.
I couldn’t seek any legal reason why this kind of incident is never given an all-out investigation by our law enforcement agents nor have the full support from our government to conduct series of investigation to solve the case. The outraged voice of the slain victim is screaming for her human rights and justice that those responsible should be punished. “C’mon the gaunt chicks are getting weaker.” Why is it – that the justice in the Philippines, like those hopes and dreams of the victims are so shattered, thus will be impossible? L
Is it because the unidentified suspects are those who are granted the power to arrest the insurgents and have the responsibility on apprehending the criminals? Or the reason that Rebelyn’s father is a communist rebel leader who is fighting for the corrupt and unscrupulous leaders of our country?
As I was reading the pages on Rebelyn’s incident, the realization has been beleaguering my mind with the thoughts that the Philippine laws are now susceptible to impunity, exclusively for our government officials and those who have armaments in our communities. I don’t know exactly why these people who can buy lives and accept bribes, live with their dirtiest conscience they have. Sigh. After all, those powerful perpetrators could no longer be identified as human-slayers, nor the wildest beasts protected and defended by military fangs. But demonic creatures, hiding in their camouflage indeed. Sigh again.
What a bittersweet revenge! Why should be the daughter who lived a serene life, devoting her invaluable time and efforts to teach the children upland, has to compensate for her dad’s ideologies against an oblivious crooked government?
Rebelyn is just one of the unfortunate victims of the many unresolved cases in the Philippines. When will these atrocities be resolved? When to take steps addressing the violence of those civilians who happened to be relatives of the targets?
“What’s the mystery again?”
It was Wednesday. Perhaps it’s a glorious mystery!
A camouflage GLORY – indeed glory to the culprits.
She was found dead by a farmer with stab wounds and torture marks near an irrigation ditch. The autopsy report indicated a laceration in her genitals and believed to have been harshly raped.
Rebelyn Pitao was the daughter of a ranking communist guerilla, ‘Commander Parago’. He is a communist rebel who never weakens the cause of the revolution against the oppressive government despite the brutal fate of his youngest slain daughter.
How ironic the day (Wednesday) when she was brutally tortured by unidentified agents and let the innocent lady suffered the agony that was not really set for her fate.
In fact, it should have been a glorious, resurrection day to a pious, Virgin Mary devotee. Haha. I was bothered by the day.
I couldn’t seek any legal reason why this kind of incident is never given an all-out investigation by our law enforcement agents nor have the full support from our government to conduct series of investigation to solve the case. The outraged voice of the slain victim is screaming for her human rights and justice that those responsible should be punished. “C’mon the gaunt chicks are getting weaker.” Why is it – that the justice in the Philippines, like those hopes and dreams of the victims are so shattered, thus will be impossible? L
Is it because the unidentified suspects are those who are granted the power to arrest the insurgents and have the responsibility on apprehending the criminals? Or the reason that Rebelyn’s father is a communist rebel leader who is fighting for the corrupt and unscrupulous leaders of our country?
As I was reading the pages on Rebelyn’s incident, the realization has been beleaguering my mind with the thoughts that the Philippine laws are now susceptible to impunity, exclusively for our government officials and those who have armaments in our communities. I don’t know exactly why these people who can buy lives and accept bribes, live with their dirtiest conscience they have. Sigh. After all, those powerful perpetrators could no longer be identified as human-slayers, nor the wildest beasts protected and defended by military fangs. But demonic creatures, hiding in their camouflage indeed. Sigh again.
What a bittersweet revenge! Why should be the daughter who lived a serene life, devoting her invaluable time and efforts to teach the children upland, has to compensate for her dad’s ideologies against an oblivious crooked government?
Rebelyn is just one of the unfortunate victims of the many unresolved cases in the Philippines. When will these atrocities be resolved? When to take steps addressing the violence of those civilians who happened to be relatives of the targets?
“What’s the mystery again?”
It was Wednesday. Perhaps it’s a glorious mystery!
A camouflage GLORY – indeed glory to the culprits.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
3 soldiers killed in Camarines Sur ambush
Two soldiers wounded
By Katherine Evangelista, Johana Vi E. Gasga
INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 13:47:00 04/02/2009
Filed Under: Military, Armed conflict
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) A band of communist rebels killed three soldiers and wounded two Scout Rangers in an ambush late Wednesday in Ragay, Camarines Sur, a police official said Thursday.
Chief Supt. Paterno Bangui, Bicol regional police director, identified those killed as Pfc. Noel Bagao, Pfc. Rolly Boy Caitor and Cpl. James Coronan and those wounded as Pfc. Domingo Solares and Pfc. Ricardo Nelson Salvador.
The two wounded soldiers were rushed to the nearest hospital in Ragay Town.
Bangui said the soldiers were onboard four motorcycles going to the Ragay public market to buy food and other supplies when they were ambushed in Barangay Upper Sta. Cruz, Ragay, Camarines Sur at around 4:30 p.m.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sodusta, Army's 9th Infantry Division commander, said over the radio that one official, Cpl. Nolan Yatar, escaped from the ambush site and was able to return to their temporary patrol base in Haguimit village in Ragay.
Sodusta added that the six soldiers of the Charlie company were in civilian clothes and unarmed during the attack of about 50 rebels.
There were no reports of casualties on the NPA side.
Earlier, Major Chris Morales, 9th Infantry Division spokesman, said the victims left the 31st Infantry Brigade's temporary base in Haguimit village, Lupi, Camarines Sur to canvass for materials for humanitarian and livelihood projects for the area.
Citing the testimonies of the two wounded soldiers, Morales said that among the three soldiers that were killed, one died instantly while the other was shot from behind while trying to escape, while the third tried to surrender but was shot.
"The perpetrators [were] identified and [criminal charges] will be filed against them," Morales said but he did not identify the suspects but the military said they might be members of the New People's Army rebel group.
By Katherine Evangelista, Johana Vi E. Gasga
INQUIRER.net, Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 13:47:00 04/02/2009
Filed Under: Military, Armed conflict
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) A band of communist rebels killed three soldiers and wounded two Scout Rangers in an ambush late Wednesday in Ragay, Camarines Sur, a police official said Thursday.
Chief Supt. Paterno Bangui, Bicol regional police director, identified those killed as Pfc. Noel Bagao, Pfc. Rolly Boy Caitor and Cpl. James Coronan and those wounded as Pfc. Domingo Solares and Pfc. Ricardo Nelson Salvador.
The two wounded soldiers were rushed to the nearest hospital in Ragay Town.
Bangui said the soldiers were onboard four motorcycles going to the Ragay public market to buy food and other supplies when they were ambushed in Barangay Upper Sta. Cruz, Ragay, Camarines Sur at around 4:30 p.m.
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sodusta, Army's 9th Infantry Division commander, said over the radio that one official, Cpl. Nolan Yatar, escaped from the ambush site and was able to return to their temporary patrol base in Haguimit village in Ragay.
Sodusta added that the six soldiers of the Charlie company were in civilian clothes and unarmed during the attack of about 50 rebels.
There were no reports of casualties on the NPA side.
Earlier, Major Chris Morales, 9th Infantry Division spokesman, said the victims left the 31st Infantry Brigade's temporary base in Haguimit village, Lupi, Camarines Sur to canvass for materials for humanitarian and livelihood projects for the area.
Citing the testimonies of the two wounded soldiers, Morales said that among the three soldiers that were killed, one died instantly while the other was shot from behind while trying to escape, while the third tried to surrender but was shot.
"The perpetrators [were] identified and [criminal charges] will be filed against them," Morales said but he did not identify the suspects but the military said they might be members of the New People's Army rebel group.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
6 Chinese media practitioners arrived
LEGAZPI CITY – At least seven Chinese media practitioners from Shanghai, China have visited Albay for a briefing on climate and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation through the Centre for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), Thursday.
The Chinese nationals are Xu Jin Gen, Chen Q, Qui Fangfang, Qian Zheng, Dajian Zhu, Wang Haiyan and and Yiqi Yang who came from CBN, British Consulate, General Shanghai, Tongji University, Jiangsu Modern Express and Wenhui Daily, respectively.
Manuel Nong C. Rangasa, executive director of CIRCA said that the foreign guests who came from different media networks in Shanghai, China will be getting video footages of the worst places hit by the Super Typhoon Reming last 2006. They will be touring them in Maipon, Guinobatan and Padang, Legazpi City.
He added that the CIRCA will be sharing output on recent studies on climate-related risks in Albay and other areas in the Philippines, introducing concrete disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation options for the most vulnerable communities in the Philippines.
Albay as the most vulnerable province to extreme weather impacts and climate change in the country is the first to launch and initiate the Albay in Action on Climate Change (A2C2) in coping with climate adaptation.
The Chinese nationals are Xu Jin Gen, Chen Q, Qui Fangfang, Qian Zheng, Dajian Zhu, Wang Haiyan and and Yiqi Yang who came from CBN, British Consulate, General Shanghai, Tongji University, Jiangsu Modern Express and Wenhui Daily, respectively.
Manuel Nong C. Rangasa, executive director of CIRCA said that the foreign guests who came from different media networks in Shanghai, China will be getting video footages of the worst places hit by the Super Typhoon Reming last 2006. They will be touring them in Maipon, Guinobatan and Padang, Legazpi City.
He added that the CIRCA will be sharing output on recent studies on climate-related risks in Albay and other areas in the Philippines, introducing concrete disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation options for the most vulnerable communities in the Philippines.
Albay as the most vulnerable province to extreme weather impacts and climate change in the country is the first to launch and initiate the Albay in Action on Climate Change (A2C2) in coping with climate adaptation.
US troop quarter parties arrive in Albay
LEGAZPI CITY -- The first batch of the American advance quarter parties that include support personnel of the US military professionals in the 2009 RP-US joint exercises has arrived at the Legazpi City Airport aboard Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, Tuesday.
“There are now advance US quarter parties who came in this third week of March. Tuesday (March 25) was the last quarter party to prepare for the US military accommodation,” said Col. Ariel Bernardo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade.
As of press time, Bernardo added that they could not yet give any number of the soldiers who came in Bicol this week, “unless, they are all here already – the whole of them (US servicemen).”
However, he confirmed that there will be a total of 350 American doctors, dentists, engineers and other support personnel who belong to the US military soldiers are expected to arrive on the first week of April in the three provinces of Bicol: Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon.
According to Brigade Executive Officer Neneveigh Alcovindas, the US advance party who arrived yesterday was temporarily accommodated in the Pepperland, Alicia and Venesia hotels in Legazpi City.
Alcovindas said that these advance troop s belong to the support personnel who will survey and visit the designated sites for the Medical, Dental Civic Actions Programs (MEDCAP) and Engineering Civic Actions Programs (ENCAP). “Some of them will provide foods and prepare the accommodation of the American military doctors and engineers.”
The entry port of the US vessels will be at the Tabaco City port that will bring US military soldiers, construction materials and other equipment to be utilized in the ENCAP and MEDCAP.
MEDCAP and ENCAP
“The RP-US Balikatan military exercises shall only comprise humanitarian projects through medical and dental missions and engineering works,” Bernardo explained.
There will be 13 MEDCAP sites in Bicol including six (6) area sites in Albay, two (2) in Sorsogon and five (5) in Masbate.
“We will also be servicing about five to six nearby barangays from the proposed MEDCAP 13 sites,” he added.
On the other hand, to spur economic development, the humanitarian mission of the RP and US soldiers shall include the ENCAP involving the construction of roads, school buildings and water system repairs.
He said that at least five engineering works are expected to be completed this April in about six ENCAP sites in the three provinces.
Among these physical infrastructures are the 3-km road in Makalidong, Pioduran Albay; road repairs and school building in Juban, Sorsogon; school rooms in Dapdap, Masbate; and a water system projects in Dapdap, Masbate.
‘Being Fooled’
Amid massive preparations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and military soldiers for the upcoming Balikatan exercises here, the Anti-Balikatan militant groups have also beefed up their protest for the halt of the exercises.
A loaded jeepney of banners and protest materials expressing condemnation of the coming US troops traversed the Daraga-Legazpi road, Wednesday.
Led by the KMP group, the protest dubbed “Call of the Peasants” (Bandilyo kan mga Paraoma) was just a continuation of their outraged demonstrations since January.
On Tuesday, some militant groups marched to the Legazpi City Airport and protested against the arrival of the US servicemen that day.
“We welcomed the US soldiers with a small protest here. But when the Philippine military saw us bearing slogans slamming the Balikatan exercise, the American soldiers were led to backdoors, so they could not see us,” Felix Paz, spokesperson of the KMP Bicol recounted in Tagalog.
He said that they have monitored 29 American soldiers aboard the plane Tuesday.
Paz added: “They were in their civilian clothes just like tourist. Why not directly told us they were the American troops? Why did they hide them from us?”
“Dini- deny pa nila. Para ba kaming niloloko, nagkukunwari at tinatago pa sa amin ng mga military,” he added.
Succeeding protests and rallies of the Anti-Balikatan groups are expected to follow this week. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
“There are now advance US quarter parties who came in this third week of March. Tuesday (March 25) was the last quarter party to prepare for the US military accommodation,” said Col. Ariel Bernardo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade.
As of press time, Bernardo added that they could not yet give any number of the soldiers who came in Bicol this week, “unless, they are all here already – the whole of them (US servicemen).”
However, he confirmed that there will be a total of 350 American doctors, dentists, engineers and other support personnel who belong to the US military soldiers are expected to arrive on the first week of April in the three provinces of Bicol: Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon.
According to Brigade Executive Officer Neneveigh Alcovindas, the US advance party who arrived yesterday was temporarily accommodated in the Pepperland, Alicia and Venesia hotels in Legazpi City.
Alcovindas said that these advance troop s belong to the support personnel who will survey and visit the designated sites for the Medical, Dental Civic Actions Programs (MEDCAP) and Engineering Civic Actions Programs (ENCAP). “Some of them will provide foods and prepare the accommodation of the American military doctors and engineers.”
The entry port of the US vessels will be at the Tabaco City port that will bring US military soldiers, construction materials and other equipment to be utilized in the ENCAP and MEDCAP.
MEDCAP and ENCAP
“The RP-US Balikatan military exercises shall only comprise humanitarian projects through medical and dental missions and engineering works,” Bernardo explained.
There will be 13 MEDCAP sites in Bicol including six (6) area sites in Albay, two (2) in Sorsogon and five (5) in Masbate.
“We will also be servicing about five to six nearby barangays from the proposed MEDCAP 13 sites,” he added.
On the other hand, to spur economic development, the humanitarian mission of the RP and US soldiers shall include the ENCAP involving the construction of roads, school buildings and water system repairs.
He said that at least five engineering works are expected to be completed this April in about six ENCAP sites in the three provinces.
Among these physical infrastructures are the 3-km road in Makalidong, Pioduran Albay; road repairs and school building in Juban, Sorsogon; school rooms in Dapdap, Masbate; and a water system projects in Dapdap, Masbate.
‘Being Fooled’
Amid massive preparations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and military soldiers for the upcoming Balikatan exercises here, the Anti-Balikatan militant groups have also beefed up their protest for the halt of the exercises.
A loaded jeepney of banners and protest materials expressing condemnation of the coming US troops traversed the Daraga-Legazpi road, Wednesday.
Led by the KMP group, the protest dubbed “Call of the Peasants” (Bandilyo kan mga Paraoma) was just a continuation of their outraged demonstrations since January.
On Tuesday, some militant groups marched to the Legazpi City Airport and protested against the arrival of the US servicemen that day.
“We welcomed the US soldiers with a small protest here. But when the Philippine military saw us bearing slogans slamming the Balikatan exercise, the American soldiers were led to backdoors, so they could not see us,” Felix Paz, spokesperson of the KMP Bicol recounted in Tagalog.
He said that they have monitored 29 American soldiers aboard the plane Tuesday.
Paz added: “They were in their civilian clothes just like tourist. Why not directly told us they were the American troops? Why did they hide them from us?”
“Dini- deny pa nila. Para ba kaming niloloko, nagkukunwari at tinatago pa sa amin ng mga military,” he added.
Succeeding protests and rallies of the Anti-Balikatan groups are expected to follow this week. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
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