DECEMBER 2012
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Bulacan cops intensify crackdown against killer firecrackers
BOCAUE, Bulacan, Dec. 28 (PNA) -- Police are keeping a tight watch on the rows of fireworks stores here and other towns to ensure that no oversized or killer types of firecrackers will be sold, newly-installed Bulacan police officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Joel Orduna said on Friday.
Orduna, together with Bulacan Task Force: Paputok head Supt. Adriano Enong and Supt. Fitz Macariola of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) operations branch, inspected the rows of fireworks stores in Barangay Turo and nearby areas to see if the safety guidelines and other salient provisions of Republic Act 7183 otherwise known as the Firecracker Law are strictly observed.
“We want to make sure that dealers are complying with the safety guidelines and the firecrackers that they are selling are those allowed by law,” Orduna said.
He said that police teams from the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) will continue to make rounds along fireworks stores to augment local policemen in implementing the Firecracker Law.
“We are also urging the public to observe the no smoking and no testing warning when buying fireworks to avoid accidents that could cause explosions or fire,” Orduna said.
Supt. Macariola said that as of December 26, 2012, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office has conducted 13 operations against illegal manufacturers and dealers of firecrackers in different municipalities particularly in Bocaue (7), Norzagaray (1), Baliuag (1), Sta. Maria (1), Balagtas (1), Angat (1) and Bulakan (1) wherein 17 persons were arrested.
The operations also resulted in the confiscation of illegally manufactured, sold and distributed firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices amounting to P137,710.
Six cases for violation of RA 7183 were filed against the suspects, including the owner of the establishment who were caught selling firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices without the necessary permits, Macariola said.
Macariola also said that police teams are intensifying the crackdown against manufacturers and dealers of dangerous and killer types of firecrackers.
“Despite our intensified operations against clandestine fireworks shops and stores, there are still some unscrupulous traders who continues to play “hide and seek” in making and selling dangerous types of firecrackers,” he said,
Amid widespread public awareness on the dangers of using powerful firecrackers, he said there is still a high demand for these oversized and killer types of firecrackers because some revelers prefer to welcome the coming year with a loud bang.
Sources said that some unscrupulous traders have already established a customer network in selling the powerful noise makers.
Killer firecrackers like “Goodbye Philippines”, “Ampatuan”, “Bin Laden”, “Giant Bawang”, “Kabase”, “Pla-Pla”, “Super Lolo” and “Goodbye Earth” can be bought in several stores, including those with license and permits.
The buyers know where they can buy those killer types of firecrackers. It has been a practice long time ago. The selling is discreet. Although expensive and dangerous, there are still some who are buying those powerful firecrackers, the sources said.
They added that those kinds of firecrackers are being sold at prices ranging from P500 to P1,000.
Earlier, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado placed the Bulacan Emergency Rescue units of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in a 24-hour alert in preparation to welcoming 2013.
He said firefighters and paramedics are also deployed in Bocaue and other towns like Sta. Maria and Baliwag where rows of firecracker stores are also located.
Giant tarpaulin billboards were also set up along the streets where fireworks stores are located, reminding the public to safely welcome the New Year.
Alvarado also reiterated that the public can call emergency hotlines: Bulacan Rescue (044) 791-0566, Bulacan BFP ()44) 796-2900 and Bulacan PNP (044) 662-0273. (PNA)
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Sales of firecrackers still slow in Bocaue
BOCAUE, Bulacan, Dec. 27 (PNA) -- Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has placed the Bulacan Emergency Rescue units of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office(PDRRMO)on a 24-hour alert.
He said firefighters and paramedics were also deployed in Bocaue and other towns like Sta. Maria and Baliwag where rows of firecracker stores are also located.
Giant tarpaulin billboards were also set up along the streets where fireworks stores reminding the public to safely welcome the new year.
Alvarado said that the public can call emergency hotlines: Bulacan Rescue-(044)791-0566, Bulacan BFP-(044) 796-2900 and Bulacan PNP-(044)662-0273.
The safety precautions being taken by the Bulacan government are met by reports that even as the new year holiday draws near, sales of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics remain sluggish.
"Our business is indeed sluggish compared last year. Before, there was a monstrous traffic here due to numerous people buying fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices," said Luisa Sayo, proprietor of “RT Sayo Fireworks”, one of the biggest and popular fireworks stores in this town.
Sayo said that last year, sales began to climb as early as December 23, but now with only four days to go before new year’s eve, their sales remain low.
"In the past years, we were so busy to the extent that we had no time to eat due to so many buyers. But now, our sales crew have even time to manicure and pedicure," she said.
Sayo said she did not know if the “Iwas Paputok” campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) is a factor in the the low turn-out of buyers.
Despite the abnormal situation, she said that many traders are still hopeful that sales will go up before December 31.
Meanwhile,there are still reports that over-sized or the so-called killer-types of firecrackers are still being clandestinely sold.
Sources said that a new powerful kind of firecracker as big as “Goodbye Philippines" — an over-sized firecracker that became a hit here two years ago—has came out from clandestine fireworks family. The firecracker is being called “Gangnam”, named after the worldwide hit Korean dance craze.
Jason Soriaga of Jason Fireworks said that names of powerful and dangerous firecrackers goes with the time.
"There is always new names that coming out. Whatever is hit. Before, there was 'Bin Laden' then 'Goodbye Gloria' and 'Goodbye Philippines'."
And now, there is "Gangnam, he said, adding that he does not know if “Gangnam” is indeed a new type of killer firecracker or a new type of "Picolo."
I have not seen the "Gangnam" yet and I am not sure if it is really powerful, he said.(PNA)
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New Bulacan police chief assumes post
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Dec. 27 (PNA) -- Senior Supt. Joel Orduna on Thursday assumed the post as the new police provincial director of Bulacan.
He replaced Senior Supt. Noli Talino, who served as office-in-charge of the said police office. Talino is also the current deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office (PRO) based here.
The turnover ceremony, which was held in this camp, was officiated by Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario, the police deputy regional director for administration in Central Luzon.
In his acceptance speech, Urduna vowed to do his best and wage an intensified campaign against criminality in the province.
Before his new assignment, Urduna was assigned with the Philippine Maritime Group. He belonged to the Class ’88 Maringal of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).(PNA)
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PNP shuts down Bulacan firecracker stall due to lack of permit
MANILA, Dec. 24 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) closed down a firecracker stall in Bocaue town in Bulacan for lack of necessary permit during a surprised inspection Monday.
PNP FEO inspection and enforcement section head Chief Insp. Nelson Bautista said stallowner Susan San Pedro failed to present PNP permit to sell firecrackers and other pyrotechnic products during inspection of firecrackers stalls in Bulacan.
"Hinanapan namin sila ng dokumento at papeles na pinayagan sila ng PNP para magnegosyo. Wala silang maipakita. Ang gagawin ng kapulisan ia-account ang pyrotechnic devices na narito,” Bautista said.
Bocaue is a popular destination for revelers at this time of the year, as it is known for its fireworks industry.
The PNP continues its random inspections of firecracker stalls for the holidays.
Authorities have been trying to minimize firecracker-related injuries this year.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima made the rounds of provinces to meet with regional and provincial commanders.
Purisima met with task groups in Northern and Central Luzon to exhort them to crack down on illegal firearms and also pushed for on-the-spot gun checks. (PNA)
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PNP confiscates P100,000 worth of illegal firecrackers in Bocaue
MANILA, Dec. 25 (PNA) – Police operatives confiscated about P100,000 worth of illegal firecrackers in Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday.
Reports have it that for the last five days, the operatives led by chief, Alan Purisima has been confiscating illegal firecrackers being sold in stores without permit.
Purisima said firecrackers that contain at least 200 ml of gunpowder or black powder was considered illegal.
At present, the Department of Health (DOH) has a record of 12 firecracker injuries before the start of Christmas and New Year.
Both the PNP and DOH are expecting the number of firecracker injuries to increase as the holidays progress. (PNA)
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Bulacan gov inspects fireworks stores
BOCAUE, Bulacan, Dec. 13 (PNA) -- Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on Thursday directed the Bulacan police and other concerned agencies to regularly inspect fireworks stores and factories and ensure that the safety and other salient provisions of the Firecracker Law is strictly observed.
The governor, together with vice governor Daniel Fernando, officials of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) conducted a lightning inspection of fireworks stores in Barangay Turo here Thursday morning.
Alvarado urged fireworks dealers to strictly follow the safety provisions of the law and personally checked if their fire extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment are in good working condition.
He also encouraged the dealers not to sell smuggled pyrotechnics devices, saying the influx of imported fireworks into the local market is killing the local industry.
The governor also directed the Bulacan police to intensify their crackdown against killer types of firecrackers like “Goodbye Philippines” and other types of oversized noisemakers.
“We are doing this to uplift awareness and guide the public in the proper handling of fireworks especially among children,“ he said.
He also said that fireworks and pyrotechnics devices being sold in Bulacan undergo stringent quality control as he encouraged manufacturers to put safety instructions on the labels of every fireworks products.
Alvarado also instructed PDRRM executive officer Liz Mungcal and Provincial Public Affairs Office chief Maricel Santos Cruz to produce leaflets and flyers on the safe use of firecrackers and distribute them along fireworks stalls.
He also said that firetrucks and ambulances will be on site as more buyers are expected to flock in this town, dubbed as the “hub” of fireworks industry in the country and other nearby towns like Sta. Maria and Baliuag.
Supt. Fitz Macariola, BPPO operations officer, said that there are at least 163 licensed fireworks dealers and 50 manufacturers in Bulacan.
Macariola said that the provincial “Task Force: Paputok” headed by Supt. Adriano Enong is regularly making rounds on the rows of fireworks stores in Barangay Turo and other parts of the provices to ensure that the safety and zoning provisions of the firecracker law are strictly followed. (PNA)
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MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Dec. 12 (PNA) -- Bulacan continues to enjoy a generally peaceful and orderly condition as crime volume in the province decreased by 34.72 percent for the first 11 months of the year.
Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) officer-in-charge Sr. Supt. Noli Galsim Taliño attributed the low crime rate and the remarkable improvement in the crime solution efficiency ratings from their all-out campaign against criminality such as the vigorous implementation of the Police Integrated Patrol System.
“Compared to other provinces in Region 3, Bulacan is relatively peaceful, although there are still some isolated cases that were reported,” Taliño said, citing reports from Supt. Fitz Macariola of the provincial police operations branch presented during the quarterly Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting held at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here.
He said that increased police visibility and successful operations against lawless elements by combined forces of the Provincial Public Safety Company, the Provincial Intelligence Branch and local police stations as well as community participation had also contributed to the BPPO’s offensive against criminal activities.
“Definitely, your police shall never waver to intensify efforts to curb criminality, maintain peace and order and ensure security and safety of the people of Bulacan. With the cooperation of the communities and the support of the local government units, we are able to sustain and keep Bulacan a safer place to live, work and do business,” he said.
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the prevailing peaceful condition in the province attracted more investors in putting up business ventures.
“I personally congratulate our PNP and AFP for their efforts to maintain peace and order in the province. Particularly now that we are close to the 2013 election campaign, I can see that being not included in the top 15 priority areas means that they are really doing their job to sustain peace in Bulacan,” Alvarado said.
The governor also encouraged law enforcers to speedily resolve unsolved crimes, issues on illegal mining, and pertinent matters that involve peace and security.
Philippine Army 56th IB Commander Lt. Col. Bernardo Oña, for his part, reported that active implementations of environment protection programs has immensely contributed to the prevailing peaceful atmosphere along the countryside and remote parts of the province.(PNA)
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Bulacan gov orders fast probe on BM Violago’s ambush try
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Dec. 1 (PNA) -- Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on Saturday ordered the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) to expedite their investigation on the ambush try on board member Mark Cholo Violago last Friday noon along the by-pass road in Plaridel town.
The governor also announced during his weekly radio program “Lalawigan Ko’y Ikaw, Lingkod Mo’y Ako,” which he co-anchors with Bulakenyo broadcaster Rommel Ramos every Saturday morning that the BPPO has already formed a task force that would help investigators to identify the perpetrators and their motive.
The governor said that Violago, 29, a resident of Barangay San Roque, San Rafael town and president of the Panlalawigang Liga ng mga Barangay sustained a wound on his right eyebrow and was conscious when he visited him at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Manila Friday night.
The young provincial board member was on board a Starex van with four security personnel bound to Manila when the suspects, in a Ford Escape vehicle, overtook and opened fire on them.
The bullet riddled van was later brought to the Plaridel police station after a scene of the crime (SOCO) team from the Bulacan PNP Crime Laboratory conducted investigation at the site.
The victim is the son of San Rafael vice mayor Goto Violago, who is running for mayor this coming 2013 midterm elections against the incumbent mayor Lorna Silverio.(PNA)
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Hundreds of indigenous people to join in this year's Dayaw Festival in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Nov. 23 (PNA) -- More than 500 ethnic people from 47 indigenous communities in the country will gather in this historic province to join in this year's celebration of “DAYAW: A National Festival of Indigenous People” on Nov. 27 to 29, this year.
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said it is a great privilege of Bulacan province to host this year's gathering of the indigenous people who will celebrate the richness of their culture.
"Our indigenous people play a vital role not only in our history but also in the present times. Here in Bulacan, we are assuring that our ethnic people are being given fair rights, especially in the field of education and livelihood. The visit of the indigenous people coming from the different parts of the country to this province will be a big help for us to learn their varied cultures and at the same time, to show and share them the beauty of our province," Alvarado said.
Elizabeth Alonzo, head of Provincial Youth, Sports, Employment, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PYSEACTO), said that they are also expecting more tourists to arrive in the province so they can have the chance to witness performances, forums, exhibitions, ethnic games and other activities that will be done during the five-day stay of the indigenous groups in Bulacan.
A trade fair will also be set-up wherein the products of the indigenous people will be showcased and made available for sale.
The project is made possible through the efforts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCAA), Interskills Foundation Inc. and the provincial government of Bulacan.(PNA)
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Bulacan welcomes piligrim image of Our Lady of Manaoag
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Nov. 21 (PNA) -- Catholic devotees on Tuesday flocked to the Sto. Niño de Hiyas Chapel to welcome the arrival of the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Manaoag here.
Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado said the visitation of the pilgrim image "aims to bring Mother Mary closer to the Bulakenyos."
"Our request to bring the pilgrim image of the Our Lady of the Manaoag here in (Bulacan) is a clamor to continuously pray and thank our Virgin Mother for guiding us," Alvarado said.
After the vigil at the lobby of the provincial capitol, the pilgrim image will be brought to Bulacan Medical Center, Bulacan Provincial Jail and to the towns of Pulilan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Paombong, and Bulakan until Dec 3, 2012.
Mama Mary’s Movement Foundation founder Bro. Jiggers Alejandrino, meanwhile, extended his deepest appreciation for the warm welcome extended by the province. (PNA)
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Bulacan journalists to mark 3rd year anniversary of “Maguindanao Massacre”
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Nov. 19 (PNA) -- Members of the working press in this province will hold on Wednesday a candle light parade at the provincial capitol grounds here to commemorate the third anniversary of the infamous “Maguindanao Massacre.”
Dino Balabo, chairman of the Bulacan chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), said the candle light parade will be joined in by journalism students from different universities in the province.
He that three years have already passed since 58 persons, 32 of them journalists, were senselessly and mercilessly killed on November 23, 2009 in Maguindanao.
That day was declared by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) last year as the day of commemorating the International Day to End Impunity (IDEI), Balabo said.
He said the Bulakenyo journalists will converge in front of the provincial capitol building on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and light candles at the statue of the three Filipino propagandists -- Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena. (PNA)
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Bulacan to hold free medical mission
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Nov. 17 (PNA) -- The provincial government will conduct free medical services on Sunday, from 6 a.m. to 12 noon at the Bulacan capitol gymnasium here.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the activity, in partnership with the Bulacan Medical Society and Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (PSEM), will provide benefit to least 400 individuals who are at risks with diabetes.
Alvarado said the medical mission is part of the celebration of World Diabetes Day with the theme "Protect Our Future."
Among the activities, he said, include blood sugar and lipid screening for the prevention and control of diabetes.
There will also a cooking demo and forum about proper nutritional diet for diabetic patients and will distribute 24 glucometers for Diabetic club members in the province, he said.
We need to change our lifestyle and have regular exercises to avoid stress and others that might cause diabetes, he added. (PNA)
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Bulacan police intensifies drive vs. illegal drugs
MEYCAUAYAN CITY, Bulacan, Nov. 9 (PNA) -- Police authorities has intensified its renewed campaign against illegal drugs here.
The anti-narcotics operatives on Thursday swooped down on a suspected dope den in Barangay Bangkal Extension here and arrested six persons who were caught sniffing shabu.
Supt. Sydney Villaflor, city police chief, identified the arrested suspects as Edgar Guevarra, 31, resident of Bunsuran II, Pandi town; Lauro Handrado, 43, of Villarama, Norzagaray; Jonathan Ignacio, 35, of Tabon, Pulilan; Bernardo Genova, 45, of Biñan 1st, Bocaue; Jayson Enriquez, 28, of Saint Peter, Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City; and Racquelyn Duata, 33, of ACA Compound, Kadiwa, Malanday, Valenzuela City.
Villaflor said that prior to their arrest, the Anti-Illegal Drugs Team of the Meycauayan police received a letter from a concerned citizen about the rampant use of illegal drugs at Yakal Street, Bangcal Extension, Barangay Bangcal.
Villaflor said that a rough sketch of the address of an alleged drug den being maintained by a certain Amir Dela Passion was attached to the letter.
Based on the said information, a police team was sent to conduct anti-drug operation in the area, in coordination with the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and village officials.
Confiscated from the suspects were aluminum foils with suspected “shabu” residue.
The suspects and the pieces of evidence were brought to the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office for examination.
A criminal complaint against the arrested persons and Amir Dela Passion, the alleged maintainer of the drug den who is at large, are being prepared for filing in court, Villaflor added. (PNA)
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Bulacan police nabs 113 wanted persons in a month
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Nov.8 (PNA) -- The Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) on Wednesday announced the arrest of 113 persons with warrants during a month's operations.
Supt. Miguel Atienza, chief of the Provincial Police Information Office, said the series of apprehensions were part of Bulacan PNP’s continuous conduct of manhunt against persons with warrants of arrest in the province.
Among those arrested were one most wanted person in the provincial level and four wanted in the municipal levels.
Apprehended were Francisco Martin, listed as no. 17 of the 20 most wanted criminals in Bulacan province; Jervy del Rosario,no. 8 most wanted in town of Calumpit; Antonio Neri, no.3 in Meycauayan City; and Eric Evangelista, no.10 in Obando.
Atienza said the operations was also in response to the directive of Central Luzon police regional director Chief Supt. Edgardo T. Ladao to intensify the conduct of manhunt operations to arrest wanted persons in the region. (PNA)
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P594M major road project in Bulacan nears completion -DPWH
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 29 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the P593-million major road project in Bulacan is almost complete.
DPWH regional director Antonio Molano said the construction of the 7.78-kilometer major road connection between Bustos and Plaridel towns in Bulacan to North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) has already reached 91-percent completion.
It is ahead of schedule as it surpassed the 75-percent target, Molano said.
The project is part of the Plaridel by-pass road contract package 2, a continuation of the 6.87 kilometers new highway from Barangay Bulihan in Plaridel town linking to North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Barangay Burol, Balagtas town.
The Plaridel by-pass contract package 1 was opened to motoring public last March 2012.
The DPWH official said the contractor C.M. Pancho Construction under close supervision of DPWH-Philippine Japan Highway Loan-Project Management Office (DPWH-PJHL-PMO) has already completed the concrete paving of the said project.
The contractor activities are focused on the completion of remaining road intersections and areas wherein embankment construction is still ongoing, he said.
The project contract also covers the construction of seven bridges with a total length of 241 lineal meters, installation of drainage facilities and slope protection works.(PNA)
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Zero firecrackers-related incidents eyed
GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, Oct. 23 (PNA) -- Stakeholders in the pyrotechnics industry have joined forces in a goal to make firecracker-related incident zero this coming New Year's celebration.
Virnie Erese, president of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, said legitimate pyrotechnics workers in regions 1 to 4 as well as police authorities have recently participated in a seminar that tackled the proper way of manufacturing, transporting and selling of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices.
"We also taught them the proper way of displaying the products in order to avoid similar firecracker-related accidents in the past," she said.
Chief Supt. Raul Petrasanta, chief of the Firearms and Explosive Office, said that aside from the seminar, they are now going around the country to monitor the manufacturing of firecrackers.
He said they are also into inspecting the reported storage of firecrackers.
Petrasanta said they are also strictly monitoring the illegal manufacturing of firecrackers and the entry of prohibited imported firecrackers
"We will also intensify the implementation of Republic Act 7183 or an Act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices," he added.
He also reminded the public on the firecrackers prohibited by Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry that include watusi, piccolo, super lolo or atomic bomb, pla-pla and others.
Under RA 7183, persons caught manufacturing, selling, distributing and purchasing those items may be imprisoned from six months to a year, and may be slapped with a fine from P20,000 to P30,000. (PNA)
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Seven suspected carnappers fall in Bulacan
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Oct. 23 (PNA) -- Operatives of the Regional Highway Patrol Team based arrested Monday in Calumpit, Bulacan seven suspected members of a syndicate involved in carnapping activities in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces.
Police Chief Inspector Ferdinand Germino, team leader of the Highway Patrol Team in Bulacan, identified the suspects as Eduardo Lagman Sr., 47, blacksmith and a resident of Barangay Gatbuca, Calumpit, Bulacan; Bong Bong Torres, 42, blacksmith of Barangay Capalangan; Calumpit, Bulacan; Jerry Felipe, 18, helper, of Mendez, Baesa, Quezon City; Erick De Guzman, 18, helper, and resident of Barangay Sta. Monica, Novaliches, Quezon City; Rodel Solpicio, 27, a native of General Santos City and a resident of Lawton, Manila; Maria Luisa Samonte, 30, a resident of Bagong Barrio, Calaocan City; and Analisa Calimon, 22, factory worker and resident of Barangay Masambong, Quezon City.
Germino said that Rolly Adviento, 51, manager-fleet operation of St. Peter Life Plans and resident of Rocka Village, Barangay Tabang, Plaridel, Bulacan, reported that one of their service vehicles, a Mitsubishi L300 Deluxe with plate no. TQT 694, was carnapped in front of the St Peter Chapel in Cogeo, Antipolo City at about 3 to 4 a.m. Monday.
According to Germino, a global positioning system (GPS) attached to the vehicle led them to the approximate location of the vehicle in Purok 1 Barangay Sapang Bayan, Calumpit, Bulacan.
In a subsequent operation, he said his operatives recovered from the scene dismantled spare parts and cannibalized Mitsubishi L300 Deluxe FB, two pieces of plate numbers, GPS gadget, two pieces of acetylene tanks, one hose with gauge and regulator, and one public utility jeep plying the route Project 8-Quiapo.
The jeepney is being used by the group in transporting vehicle parts to Barangay Capalangan in Apalit, Pampanga and Banawe, Quezon City, he said.
Also recovered were several fuel tanks, other parts of a Mitsubishi L300 FB which have been carnapped earlier.
Case of the violation of the anti-carnapping law is now being readied against the suspects. (PNA)
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Motorists urged to use internet for NLEX traffic condition
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 22 (PNA) -- Motorists who will be taking the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) were urged on Monday to go online to check for traffic updates for a worry-free travel this All Saints' Day.
Toll Regulatory Board executive director Edmundo Reyes, said the motorists could use the NLEX’s real-time travel advisory system called “NLigtas” to plan their travel better by knowing the current traffic conditions along the expressway as well as the approximate travel time.
“Our goal is to really make this 'Undas' safer than the last one,” Reyes said as he added "that is why we are providing travelers with more graphic updates which they can access even before they start their trips.”
The NLigtas system, which is accessible through the TMC, allows users to check out real-time traffic situation at the NLEX.
He said sensors along the stretch of the expressway detect and measure the actual speeds and travel conditions which are processed in real-time by NLigtas software application into useful travel advisory.
The information is real time and 95 percent accurate for the approximate travel time, he said.
Aside from this site, he said, travel information is also available via Twitter @ NLEXTraffic, Facebook page Travel on Great Roads, Variable Message Signs and NLEX hotline (02-35000). (PNA)
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New Bulacan provincial prosecutor named
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 20 (PNA) -- Veteran trial lawyer Renato C. Samonte, Jr. is the new chief provincial prosecutor of Bulacan.
Samonte assumed the post vacated by Alfredo ‘Gerry’ Geronimo who retired from the government service last year.
He is the eldest son of the late Renato ‘Rening’ Samonte and Lucia dela Cruz of Taliptip, Bulakan, Bulacan.
He was also president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Gat. Marcelo H. Del Pilar–Bulacan chapter) from 2009 to 2011.
Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado welcomed the appointment of Samonte as a fitting tribute to the qualification and capability of a true-blue Bulakenyo at the helm of the prosecution service, an indispensable pillar in the administration of justice in the province.
Samonte, who has an extensive law practice in Metro Manila and Central Luzon spanning three decades, finished A.B. Political Science at the Ateneo de Manila University and graduated from the San Beda College of Law in 1980.
His skills as a trial lawyer was honed and polished during his more than 10 years practice at the Law office of Dakila F. Castro where he litigated high-profile criminal cases. (PNA)
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Bulacan to form “Task Force: Paputok”
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 20 (PNA) -- As the production of fireworks in revs into high gear in anticipation of big demand for the Christmas and New Year holidays, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on Saturday said that he will form a provincial “Task Force: Paputok” that will enforce safety measures and other salient provisions of the firecracker law.
Alvarado, during the weekly radio program “The Governor’s Hour,” which he co-hosts with Bulajenyo broadcaster Rommel Ramos every Saturday morning, said he would call a meeting next week among fireworks manufacturers and dealers and officers of the Bulacan police to discuss the safety measures.
He advised local manufacturers and dealers to only produce and sell safe firecrackers. He also reminded them to always follow the safety guidelines to avoid accidents which have claimed lives and destroyed properties in the past years.
Among the problems besieging the local fireworks industry is the influx of smuggled imported pyrotechnics, which is being labeled made from Bulacan but are actually being sneaked into the country from China.
Sr. Supt. Ferdinand Daway, explosives management division chief of the Philippine National Police, said smuggled products could not be allowed because the domestic pyrotechnic industry would suffer.
The law governing pyrotechnics manufacture, sales and distribution allows only totally knocked-down materials, he said.
Daway said smuggled fireworks were openly sold in the domestic market.
Some businessmen are smuggling the products and passing them to the market as locally manufactured, he said.
Vimie Erese, president of the Phillippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI), said the scheme had caused a decline in the domestic pyrotechnics industry.
At present, only 20 registered manufacturers existed, compared to 40 last year, he added.
Engineer Celso C. Cruz, chairman emeritus of PPMDAI, said that some businessmen found it more profitable to smuggle pyrotechnics than produce it locally.
“It is so easy, they will not maintain workers, they will only need a warehouse. But the practice is killing the industry,” Cruz said. (PNA)
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Bangsamoro peace pact, right path for long lasting peace -- Yes for Peace movement
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 10 (PNA) -- The framework agreement reached by the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) creating a new political entity in Mindanao to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the right path and a big step toward the achievement of long lasting peace in the country.
This was the reaction of Ernesto A. Alcanzare, lead organizer of the Yes for Peace-Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan movement, as praises and support continued to snowball on the newly forged agreement.
Alcanzare said the vision and goals of President Benigno S. Aquino III to end armed hostilities in the country by the end of 2012 is now materializing and gaining more support.
“We welcome the framework agreement of the Bangsamoro, especially on its commitment to forge a comprehensive peace pact in the end of the year which is consistent to the call of the Yes for Peace movement,” he said.
Alcanzare has proposed that succeeding negotiations for the comprehensive peace pact agreement should be held openly pursuant to President Aquino’s vision and goal of a peace program that is transparent and participatory in nature.
“In other words, the negotiations should be held in the Philippines and covered by the media just like the Corona impeachment trial,” he said.
He said that there are still important issues that should be ironed out and among the contentious ones that must be addressed is the disposition of MILF forces and the “policing” of the Bangsamoro.
But Alcanzare believes the framework agreement would open more doors that will pave the way for long lasting peace in the country.
He said that Yes for Peace was inspired by former President Corazon Aquino’s resolve to establish a national consensus for peace in 1988.
Yes for Peace is all about “winning the hearts and minds of the Filipino people, he added. (PNA)
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Bulacan gets 2012 Gawad Kalasag National Award on disaster preparedness
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 10 (PNA) -- Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the provincial government will continue to upgrade and modernize the equipment and logistics of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to boost its capabilities in responding effectively in times of calamities.
The governor made the statement after Bulacan was adjudged as this year’s “Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council” during the 2012 Gawad Kalasag National Awards, a national recognition of excellence in disaster risk reduction and management and humanitarian assistance, held Tuesday at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Club in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Alvarado said the award will always serve as an inspiration to the PDRRMC, adding that, "everyone has a responsibility every time we face the wrath of nature".
"The greatest calamity in life is the daily and hourly destroying our Mother Nature like polluting the seas and rivers and denuding the mountains. We, in Bulacan, we are working together in good faith to succeed in protection our province against disasters made by humans," he said.
The governor also said that the provincial government is working hand-in-hand with local communities and officials in dealing with disaster preparedness and mitigation plans.
Alvarado said that the provincial government is also constantly monitoring the conditions of the watersheds and the rivers, which he said, contributes to the destruction being wrought by severe flooding every time a storm or intense rainfall hits Bulacan.
He thanked and commended the efforts PDRMMC of Bulacan for coping up and coming up with timely plans and interventions in addressing the effects of climate change.
He said the award will also serve as a guiding instrument for them to work hard in saving lives.
Alvarado also mentioned that Bulacan PDRRMC’s School Hydrological Information Network (SHINE) project was recognized on NDRRMC’s current awarding scheme to be one of the best practices in school-based early warning systems.
The said project sets the minds of youths towards a climate change-enhanced curriculum consistent with the principle that disaster awareness should begin in schools.
“SHINE strengthens the flood disaster awareness of schools and communities in Bulacan,” Alvarado said.
The other Gawad Kalasag awardees are Makati PDRRMC (Highly-Urbanized City category); Santiago City, Isabela (Component/Independent Component); San Jose de Buenavista, Antique PDRRMC (1st-3rd class); Sto. Domingo, Albay PDRRMC (4th-6th class); Brgy. Sta. Rita, Olongapo City PDRRMC (Urban); and Brgy. Sipitan-Badiang, Guimbal, Iloilo PDRMMC (Rural).
The awarding rites coincided with launching of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMO) 2011-2028 and graced by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, Undersecretary Benito Ramos and OCD Region 3 director Josephine Timoteo. (PNA)
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Bulacan intensifies its emergency response
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 10 (PNA) -- The Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) on Tuesday spearheaded a three-day fast craft rescue training at the Ipo Dam in Norzagaray town to enhance the efficiency of rescue and response teams in addressing emergencies in times of calamities.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the province is strengthening its disaster preparedness and enhancing the knowledge and skills of rescuers in using flood rescue boats and other similar life saving vehicles.
Alvarado said the participants will also be trained in giving first aid for flood rescue and search and retrieval operations.
Participants of the three-day training include rescue/response team members of the City and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils, local government units of the cities Meycauayan, Malolos and San Jose del Monte, the towns of Marilao, Santa Maria, Obando, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Pulilan and Norzagaray and non-government organizations (NGOs).
The rescue teams are composed of five members who were already trained, acquired skills in basic water safety, standard first aid/basic life support-cardio pulmonary resuscitation, physically fit and but have not yet attended a fast craft rescue training.
Recently, a simultaneous earthquake drill was held in Angat Dam and Barangay Caniogan in Calumpit town to help the local governments in the planning and management of emergency responses in case massive floods hit the areas.
The drill simulated a scenario from the Metro Manila earthquake impact reduction study where the valley fault system causes a 7.2 magnitude tremor, causing piping failure in Angat Dam.
It was participated in by the Angat Hydro Electric Power Plant Administration, Angat Flood Forecasting and Warning System for Dam operation, Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, disaster units of Calumpit and Norzagaray.(PNA)
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Student writers invited to join biotech campus journalism contest
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 7 (PNA) --Student journalists and writers nationwide are invited to join the Biotech Campus Journalism Contest organized by the Philippine Science Journalists Association Inc. (PSciJourn), Agham Party-list, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture-Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC).
Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones said the winners and finalists wil join a two-day study tour to TV/radio stations/newspaper publishing offices and biotech laboratories and field trials in the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
He also said that participating students will also get a chance to have their work published in national print media publications and biotech websites.
The contest organizers said that participants must submit a feature article with the topic “The Benefits and Potentials of Modern Crop Biotechnology in the Philippines” on or before October 31, 2012.
The science writing tilt is open to students nationwide and divided into high school and college levels.
Palmones said that the Biotech Campus Journalism Contest aims to promote and enhance the knowledge of student journalists and writers on the growing promises of biotechnology for the future of food security and agricultural sustainability in the country by encouraging them to research on the topic and interview Filipino scientists, biotech corn farmers, and even regulators of biotech crops.
Ten finalists, including the top three winners, will be selected from each level. The first, second, and third place winners in both levels will receive cash prizes of P15,000, P10,000, and P7,000, respectively, while the succeeding finalists will each receive P2,000 cash prize.
Palmones added that an Agham Congressional Medal will also be awarded to each winner/finalist.
Moreover, the schools of the two first place winners in both levels will also receive P5,000 cash prize each. They will be recognized and awarded during the opening ceremonies of the upcoming 8th National Biotechnology Week on November 26, 2012. (PNA)
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Filing of COCs in Bulacan, generally peaceful
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct.6 (PNA) -- The filing of the certificates of candidacy[COCs] in the province has been generally peaceful, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office reported Saturday.
Chief Inspector Ysmael Yu, company commander of the Provincial Public Safety Company said that as of Saturday morning no untoward incidents related to the filing of the Cocs was reported.
“It’s generally peaceful and in some cases, the mood is even festive,” Yu said.
Political pundits attributed the peaceful outcome to the unification of rival politicians, particularly in the gubernatorial, vice gubernatorial, congressional and mayoralty race.
They said that Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa Jr., did a ‘masterstroke’ in unifying the politicians in Bulacan and made them agreed on who will be the ruling Liberal Party’s candidate.
They added that the brilliant initiatives of Sec. Ochoa made the delivery of logistics and support from the national government to the provincial level faster and smoothly.(PNA)
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Bulacan promotes organic farming
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct. 5 (PNA) -- Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado on Thursday led the promotion of organic agriculture in the province as part of the observance of Food Security Month.
Alvarado said the organic agriculture responses to some environmental concern and can help in the sustainability of agriculture sector.
“We are establishing eight learning sites which include educating our farmers about vermi composting and preparation of natural inputs like fish amino acid and herbal or botanical pesticide,” he said.
The governor also said that they are conducting Integrated Techno Demo for organic rice, vegetable and goat production which will benefit stakeholders from Malolos City, Pulilan, Plaridel, Norzagaray, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Sta. Maria, Bustos and Calumpit.
Provincial agriculturist Gloria Carrillo, on the other hand, said that part of the activities for Food Security Month is the continuing crop production program which aims to increase yield, income and productivity on palay, vegetable, corn, root crops and plantation crops.
“We provide assistance on the establishments of community seed banks, distribute farm equipment and post-harvest facilities, conducts on-going season long farmers field school on palay check system and offer technical assistance to our 21 municipalities and three cities,” she said.
Carillo said they also conduct seminars and trainings in coastal municipalities to upgrade fisher folks’ knowledge on aquaculture.
Also, the Provincial Veterinary Office pushes for strict monitoring on compliance of the National Meat Inspection Service rules and regulation on slaughterhouse operations in the province.
Provincial veterinarian Dr. Voltaire Basinang said they are gathering all meat inspectors, market masters and slaughterhouse supervisors for a meeting to discuss with them slaughterhouse policies and regulation as well as hygienic handling of newly slaughtered meat in markets and cleanliness and sanitation in meat stalls.
He said that this is also part of the observance of Meat Safety and Consciousness Week, which starts from Oct. 15 to 19. (PNA)
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Bulacan gov files COC for his 2nd term bid
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Oct.3 (PNA) -- Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and his running mate Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando filed their certificates of candidacy (CoCs) at the provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) office here Wednesday morning.
The incumbent governor and vice governor was accompanied by the province's city and municipal mayor at the Comelec provincial office after a mass at the chapel of the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center.
Paombong Mayor Marcos and Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad said that this is the first time that the provincial chief executive and his running mate are vying with the full support of the majority of the mayors of the province.
Alvarado and Fernando are both running under the Liberal Party (LP) coalition.
In thanking the local executives and supporters, Gov. Alvarado vowed to continue what he started with more fervor and strong resolve in his bid for a second term as chief executive of the province.
He said that the rare political development in Bulacan is a “masterstroke” initiative of the top brass of the Liberal Party, which he added that this kind of political maturity should be emulated in other parts of the country.
"All of us want to serve and this time, we are ready to work as one team," said Alvarado, who was also joined by his wife, re-electionist 1st District Rep. Ma Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado who also filed her CoC.
Some political pundits viewed this development as the true essence of President Benigno Aquino’s “Tuwid na Daan” policy which is geared towards in making the country politically stable and matured.
Vice Gov. Fernando is virtually unopposed after the Municipal Trial Court of Pandi junked the petition of his rumored rival and fellow actor Philip Salvador for his inclusion in the list of voters in the said town.
Aside from Alvarado and Fernando, re-electionists board members Michael Fermin, Felix Ople, Therese Sheryll Ople (1st District), Enrique dela Cruz and Monette Posadas (2nd District) also filed their CoCs.
Meanwhile, former Malolos City Mayor Atty. Danilo Domingo and running mate former Vice Mayor Noel Sakay filed their CoCs at the City Comelec office in downtown Malolos after hearing a holy mass at the Barasoain Church.
Domingo and Sakay will be facing re-electionist City Mayor Natividad and Vice Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian. (PNA)
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American miner brings smiles to poor Filipino kids
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Sept. 28 (PNA) -- An American miner has become a “Good Samaritan” to poor communities in the country by helping poor children taste the “good life” and grooming them to become good citizens.
Derek C. Weightman, transport coordinator of B.H.P Billiton, takes extra suitcases of clothes for poor children every time he goes to the Philippines.
He said that every time he went to the Philippines, he sees to it that he will be carrying extra suitcases of clothes for the poor children.
“It makes me happy and no amount of money can match the smiles on the faces of the children,” he said.
Weightman has also endeared himself to the people of Area C, a mining site in Australia, as the “Minister of Transport” for ensuring that all the transport logistics needed by the people working at a mine site are arranged both at the site and between site and airport.
The American supervises the operation of 12 buses in Area C, which he makes sure to be always clean, maintained and assigned for both business and special occasions (e.g. Lieghton Contractors VIP visits). He also makes arrangements for transporting employees and visitors.
Weightman has worked as mining operator in Area C and in Onebody, and leading hand driller in Onebody.
He has dedicated himself to fundraising, both in the mining site and offsite. Those who knew him said that it is not unusual to see Weightman, up to the mess hall every night, raising money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
He said he will never get tired in bringing smiles to poor children and will always bring them nice clothing. (PNA)
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Rehab of Angat Dam to start early 2013
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Sept. 28 (PNA) -- The rehabilitation of the rock-built Angat dam will start early next year.
Liz Mungcal, chief of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), said the bidding process on the rehabilitation and retrofitting works on the 43-year old dam is set next month.
The project, which has an allocation of some P5.7 billion, is expected to be completed by 2016.
Mungcal said the rehabilitation of the Angat dam will be based on the designs of Tonkin and Taylor International and Engineering Development Corporation of the Philippines (Edcop).
The two companies were tasked by the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) to conduct six-month study and evaluation of the structural integrity of the dam last April.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) earlier said the Marikina fault line is underneath the dam’s reservoir and poses danger to its structural integrity.
The MWSS technical working group has agreed with the findings of Phivolcs that the dam is sitting along the west Marikina fault line and cannot withstand a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
Unabated logging and mining activities along the Angat dam watershed area has also compromised the structural integrity of the dam, according to the Sagip Sierra Madre Environment Society.
MWSS administrator Gerry Esquivel said the rehabilitation work at Angat dam will not disrupt the delivery of water supply to Metro Manila.
The Angat dam provides 98 percent of the water needed by Metro Manila and irrigation for most farmlands in Central Luzon. (PNA)
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5 suspected armed robbers operating in Luzon, MM, fall in Bataan
DINALUPIHAN, Bataan, Sept. 26 (PNA) -- Five alleged members of the Taguro Holdup Group believed to be operating in Luzon and Metro Manila were arrested by police operatives here Monday afternoon.
Supt. Alfred dela Roca, Dinalupihan police chief, identified the suspects as Richard Morales, 23, alleged leader of the group from Balanga City; Roam Puerto, 30, of Leon Guinto, Metro Manila; Antonio Toribio, 36, of Antipolo City; Angelino Geronimo, 23, of Macabebe, Pampanga; and Jerry Tolentino, 48, of Pasong Tamo in Quezon City.
Also confiscated from the suspects were a 9mm Uzi Ingram with silencer; 34 live ammunitions for 9mm Uzi; one caliber .38 revolver with four live ammunitions and two fragmentation hand grenades.
“The five robbery/holdup suspects will be charged for illegal possession of firearms and explosives,” dela Roca said.
Dela Roca said members of the Intelligence group and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and another team under him set up a checkpoint in Barangay Sta. Isabel after receiving reports that a red car and a motorcycle were suspiciously parked near a warehouse of Gabby’s Marketing here.
He said the suspects in car and motorcycle fled when they sensed that police officers were approaching.
However, the chief of police said that they were able to flag the two vehicles at the checkpoint and in there confiscated the firearms and hand grenades.
Dela Roca said the operation was the result of joint efforts of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, Police Public Order and Safety Office, CIDG and the Dinalupihan police.
He said they planned the operation after a tactical interrogation conducted by the Angeles City Police in Pampanga mentioned the name of Richard Morales as leader of the “Taguro Holdup Group” that conducted robbery/hold-up activities in Bulacan, Manila, Angeles City, Pampanga and Bataan.
He said that Morales was a former employee of Gabby’s Marketing that per intelligence report was the target of the suspects. (PNA)
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NDRRMC conducts simultaneous quake drill in Bulacan
CALUMPIT, Bulacan, Sept. 24 (PNA) -- Bracing for a “worst scenario” in case the Angat dam in Norzagaray burst during an earthquake, government disaster response teams Monday held a simultaneous earthquake drill from the dam site to the low lying villages in this town.
Provincial officials led by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando made a first hand evaluation on the immediate response of government emergency teams from the sounding of alarm to the evacuation phase of the drill.
Alvarado said the earthquake drill was part of disaster officials third quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill for critical infrastructures, like Angat Dam.
The drill was supervised by NDRRMC officials led by Eduardo Batac, undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Reserve Affairs of the Dept. of National Defense.
“It pays to be always alert and ready so that we will not be caught flatfooted when disaster of such magnitude struck,” the governor said.
The drill started with ground shaking or the recognition of a possible 7.2 magnitude earthquake in which Napocor officials would conduct inspection of the dam and its facilities then check the possible occurrence/identification of dam break/breach.
If such an incident occurs, dam officials will activate its emergency action plans and will immediately notify and disseminate information to local government units, concerned agencies and then activate the early warning system and monitor the situation.
At the same time, officials of Ipo and Bustos dams will also activate their own emergency action plans.
The earthquake drill showed the immediate response of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils of Norzagaray and Calumpit in the activation of their respective emergency action plans, in coordination with local and barangay officials which will conduct information dissemination to agencies and residents.
The PDRMMC will then facilitate the establishments of command posts that will oversee traffic, security, transport, rescue, fire fighting units and logistic teams.
The PDRMMC said that it is also important to prepare families for the evacuation phase which will be handled by village officials in coordination with the Bulacan Rescue, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Army.
The drill also simulated a scenario from the Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction Study where the valley fault system causes a 7.2 magnitude earthquake causing piping failure in Angat dam.
Ramos said 20 towns in Bulacan, seven in Pampanga and three cities in Metro manila would be affected by inundations as high as 10 to 30 meters.
“This activity is part of the government’s continuing efforts in enhancing public awareness and strengthening the nation’s capability in disaster prevention, management and response,” Ramos said.
Batac thanked Alvarado and the provincial government of Bulacan for their unwavering support, concern as well as the active participation of the Bulacan PDRRMC in the earthquake drill and the disaster prevention and awareness campaign of the NDRRMC. (PNA)
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Bulacan officials ink covenant to address effects of climate change
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Sept. 16 (PNA) –- Local officials here on Saturday signed a declaration of unity and action for global warming and climate change at the Barasoain church here.
This was one of the highlights of the commemoration of the 114th anniversary of the opening of the Malolos Congress.
City mayor Christian D. Natividad said the declaration was signed by mayors and barangay officials of the province.
"The colorful part of our history took place in this historic city more than 100 years ago which served as link for our future. This time, the declaration to mitigate the adverse effects of global warming and climate change was signed here at the Barasoain Church where the Malolos Constitution was drafted and ratified," Natividad said.
During the same occasion, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado led the offering of flowers and tribute to the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic, together with Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad and Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro.
Alvarado said the sacrifices and patriotism of Filipino revolutionaries will always be a guiding light to leaders in effecting reforms and genuine service to the people.
Abad, in his message, cited the importance of the events that transpired at the Barasoain church, saying that all the dreams of the framers of the Malolos Constitution will be fulfilled through the “tuwid na daan” type of leadership being exercised by the Aquino administration.
Education Secretary Luistro, for his part, said they are now instilling to students the importance of Philippine history in partnership with the National Historical Institute. (PNA)
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Life-size diorama and E-leaning library, latest attraction at Barasoain Historical Museum By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Sept. 15 (PNA) -– Learning and appreciating the country’s history has become more fun and interesting – thanks to the inroads of modern technology.
The statue of a sitting Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic, flanked by key figures of the Malolos Congress, is now one of the main attractions at the newly renovated and modernized Barasoain Church Historical Museum.
The museum, inaugurated Saturday, is the first modernized museum of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, according to NHCP Commissioner Ma. Serena Diokno.
It was jointly funded by the NHCP and the Provincial Government of Bulacan headed by Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado.
On the celebration Saturday during the 114th anniversary of the opening of the Malolos Congress here, provincial and local officials signed a declaration of unity and action for global warming and climate change at the patio of the Barasoain Church.
Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando and City Mayor Christian Natividad as well as Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro offered flowers and tribute to the statue of Aguinaldo.
Diokno said the museum has five galleries where the first two will introduce visitors by explaining the backdrop to the Malolos Congress.
She told reporters in the ante room (Gallery 1), a seven- minute video introduces the museum and then presents the evolution of the idea of freedom as a prologue, while Gallery 2 traces the events leading to the establishment of the Malolos Congress, the Constitution of Biak-na-Bato, the proclamation of Independence at Kawit, Cavite and the decrees of the revolutionary government headed by Aguinaldo.
Diokno said two touch screens in Gallery 2 display the historical overview of facts and sources about the Malolos Congress and the events that preceded and followed it.
The main hall, which serves as Gallery 3, and the smaller hall next to it (Gallery 4) gives focus on Malolos; the Constitutional Congress; the Malolos Congress; the Constitution and the list of delegates to the congress.
Diokno also said Gallery 3 also offers a seven-minute light-and-sound presentation with a life-size diorama of the leading figures of the Malolos Congress.
Gallery 5 provides the epilogue and dwells on the theme—Defense of the Republic—by featuring how Filipinos went to war to defend the republic and the freedom and sovereignty of the people against a new colonizer, the United States of America.
She said among the latest innovations include the E-learning and research facilities and the audio-visual room.
Diokno presented the rooms to Alvarado, Fernando, Natividad, Abad, Luistro and members of the media.
She said the E-learning room is designed for students and equipped with 22 computers containing interactive lessons in Philippine history.
“It is the NHCP’s hope that by modernizing the Barasoain museum, students, visitors and tourists can now better appreciate our history and value the independence our forefathers struggled for,” Diokno said.
Luistro said the Department of Education will adopt the innovations made by the NHCP to make students better understand the importance of Philippine history.
Alvarado, for his part, hailed the NHCP for its new endeavor in preserving the significant role of Bulacan in the nation’s history.
Abad, in his message, cited the importance of the events that transpired at the Barasoain Church, saying all the dreams of the framers of the Malolos Constitution will be fulfilled through the “tuwid na daan” type of leadership exercised by the Aquino administration.
Luistro, on the other hand, said they are now instilling in students the importance of Philippine history in partnership with the National Historical Institute. (PNA)
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Bulacan hospital to get additional modern medical equipment
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Sept. 13 (PNA) -- Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado on Thursday said that additional modern hospital equipment for Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) will arrive soon for better and efficient delivery of medical services to the Bulakenyos.
Alvarado said the additional medical equipment include CT scan, ultrasound, MRI, and 2D echo among others.
"We are also improving and upgrading our dialysis, oncology and eye center," the governor. He said among the priorities of his administration is to provide health care that is accessible and affordable to all Bulakenyos.
Alvarado, together with local newsmen, visited the medical center to personally oversee the installation of some of the newly acquired medical equipment. He also checked the conditions of patients and their rooms.
During his ocular inspection, Alvarado ordered the General Services Office to send additional personnel at the hospital to make sure that every floor and its surrounding are always clean after he noticed the lack of janitors cleaning the room and wards.
He also ordered Provincial Engineer Glen Reyes to speed up the repairs being undertaken at the province’s premiere medical facility.
He also told hospital officials to ensure that there are always available medicines and clean bedsheets.
Likewise, Alvarado told newsmen that he had asked Executive Secretary Atty. Paquito Ochoa Jr. for the construction of additional wards and buildings inside the BMC compound.
At present, the BMC has 300 brand new hospital beds. (PNA)
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House defense committee to review DPWH P352 billion flood control plan
MANILA, Sept. 11 (PNA) -- The House Committee of National Defense and Security will review the P352 billion flood control plan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure that the projects to be undertaken are based on careful and sound studies.
Rep. Rodolfo Biazon (Lone District, Muntinlupa City), author of House Resolution 2679, said the plan includes 11 projects whose development will take up to the year 2035 to implement and that foreign assisted funds would benefit the country.
"There are some factors to be considered such as changing weather patterns, changing topography of areas due to urbanization and development, forest denudation and even the creation of new employment centers in order to decongest existing urban centers," Biazon said.
Biazon said Metro Manila, including the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Bataan, Zambales, Laguna and Cavite experienced heavy rains that caused massive flooding in many of its towns and cities brought by the southwest monsoon or "Habagat."
Biazon cited a study of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) which showed that a total of 56 cities and municipalities from the National Capital Region (NCR), Regions 3 and 4-A were affected by flooding.
The NDRRMC also reported that as of Aug. 14, 2012, 95 persons were reported dead, 11 persons injured, seven persons missing and a total of 825,018 families or about 3,742,674 individuals were affected in 2,498 barangays located in some 173 municipalities and 36 cities in 16 provinces of regions 1, 3, 4-B and the NCR.
Biazon said an estimated cost of damage to infrastructure is P639 million while that of agriculture is P1.6 billion, for a total of P2.2 billion. (PNA)
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Good governance takes center stage in Bulacan’s “Singkaban Fiesta 2012”
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Sept. 10 (PNA) -- The festive mood that engulfed this historic city when Filipino revolutionaries converged at the Barasoain Church more than a century ago was relived Monday morning with the opening of the “Singkaban Fiesta 2012.”
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the weeklong celebration is a fitting tribute to the patriotism of the Filipino revolutionaries and heroes that courageously convened the Malolos Congress at the historic Barasoain Church ( on September 15,1898) where the Malolos Constitution was drafted that gave credence to the declaration of Philippine Independence, making Malolos the “Cradle of Democracy” in Asia.
Alvarado underlined the efforts of the provincial government of Bulacan in giving the highest quality of public service as he led the formal opening of the Singkaban Fiesta 2012 with the theme “Lalawigang Huwaran ang Pamahalaan, Tahanan ng Dakilang Lahi, Sentro ng Kasaysayan ng Bansa – Bulacan, sa daigdig ay ibandila!”
He said that among the priorities of his administration is to provide health care that is accessible and affordable to all the Bulakenyos.
The additional hospital equipment like CT scan, ultrasound, MRI, 2D echo at mammography will soon to arrive. Our dialysis, oncology and eye center is also being upgraded, he added.
Alvarado said that even though they have a simple celebration this year, the true essence of this festival relating to the promotion of the abundant artistic and cultural heritage of the province was achieved.
Vice Governor Daniel Fernando, for his part, said that the festival also poses a challenge for every Bulakenyo on continuously striving to become outstanding in their endeavors.
After the short ceremony, other activities are held such as the Panaderong Bulakenyo which features pandesal spiced with malunggay leaves, presentation of the candidates of Reyna ng Bulacan, and the float parade of different institutions and companies.
The provincial officials also led the opening of the weeklong exhibits such as Tatak Bulakenyo Trade Exhibit which displays the products of Bulacan including sweets and delicacies, beverages, food, bags, shoes, fashion accessories, handicrafts, woodcrafts and other educational toys; Lakan Sining Exhibit which features Bulakenyos’ masterpieces in visual arts; and the Dakilang Bulakenyo Series: Eusebio “Maestrong Sebio” Roque which features the contributions of Maestrong Sebio in the struggle for Philippine freedom were held.
In the afternoon, the awarding for Bulacan as the Outstanding Local Government Unit (LGU) and Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) partner in Luzon (for the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar, information dissemination and PAIR Help Desk) and the National TESDA Kabalikat Award was held at the Hiyas Pavillion.
It was followed by a signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the LGUs, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that aims to fight against anti-illegal recruitment, anti-trafficking in persons, and child labor (CL). (PNA)
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Revival of the Pampanga River Control System pushed
STO. TOMAS, Pampanga, Sept. 7 (PNA) -- Provincial fourth district board member Nestor Tolentino has urged the local government units (LGUs) along the river bank to support move on the revival of the Pampanga River Control System (PRCS).
Tolentino said the local leaders can pass a joint resolution or a position paper addressed to Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to be adapted in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan asking the public works department to reactivate the defunct PRCS.
“The governor and the provincial board support any move to revive PRCS”, he said.
Being a former supervising civil engineer of the PRCS when it was still active, Tolentino vouched the capacity of the PRCS to maintain and dredge the river system not only in Pampanga but the whole of Central Luzon.
He said that revival of the agency under the supervision of the DPWH will ensure funding to rehabilitate flood control facilities and also the availability of equipment to maintain the conveyance capacity of river channels.
“The PRCS used to have heavy equipment. This is what we need these days for the maintenance of the water and river channels,“ the board member said.
He said that PRCS will also eliminate finger-pointing when it comes to problem on flooding and obliterate dikes, levees, revetments and slope protection.
“During calamities PRCS will be the sole body responsible to any problem brought about by flooding,” he added.
Likewise, Bulacan governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado has been pushing for the revival of the PRCS to address the perennial flood problems in Bulacan and Pampanga.
Alvarado said the PRCS, whose personnel were transferred to the Mt. Pinatubo Commission, used to be in charge of dredging the river systems in Bulacan and Pampanga.
“That is one of the primary reasons why most parts of Central Luzon experience devastating flooding for days after a typhoon,” Alvarado said, adding that most of the rivers and waterways in the region are heavily silted.
Twenty years ago, PRCS used to be an attached agency of the DPWH that is mandated to supervise the rehabilitation and dredging of river channels.
However, during the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, different agencies was created that resulted to the duplication of functions which led to the deactivation of PRCS. (PNA)
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TESDA chief congratulates 2,000 new technical education graduates in Bulacan
BALIWAG, Bulacan, Sept. 6 (PNA) -- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Joel Villanueva on Wednesday congratulated some 2,000 graduates of the technical education courses in the province.
Villanueva, during the graduation rites held at the Baliwag University here Wednesday afternoon, said the new graduates have increased the manpower resources of the country.
“All of you will go onwards, facing the challenges of life and equipped with skills and talents. Wherever you go, please make sure that you will make our country proud. Congratulations!” he said before the jampacked sports center of the Baliwag University.
He said the provincial graduation, which was dubbed “Big V Day” with the letter “V” symbolizing “victory,” is the fight against poverty.
Likewise, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, who was represented by Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio, also congratulated the graduates, calling them as the new heroes of Bulacan.
He said that the quality education like the ones being provided by TESDA is opening many doors of opportunities for young people.
TESDA regional director Teodoro “Ted” Gatchalian said that the new graduates came from different schools accredited by TESDA and affiliated with the Bulacan Association of Technical Schools.
TESDA-Bulacan provincial director Cenon Querubin, on the other hand, said the new graduates finished special vocational courses under the “key employment generation” program like welding, electrical installation maintenance, consumer electronics, commercial cooking, bread and pastry, food and beverages servicing, bartending, housekeeping, massage therapy and beauty and wellness.
The event was also attended by the local officials of the towns of Paombong, Baliwag, San Miguel, Pulilan and San Rafael. (PNA)
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Baldoz lauds local execs for keeping a Bulacan barangay child labor-free
STA. MARIA, Bulacan, Aug. 30 (PNA) -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz urged over the weekend officials of the DOLE Regional Office No. 3 to document the anti-child labor good practices of Barangay Pulong-Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, as she commended the barangay for sustaining its eight year-old anti-child labor program.
Baldoz, who, together with Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte, visited Pulong Buhangin in connection with the DOLE's Child Labor-Free Barangay Campaign. She was impressed by the barangay's anti-child labor program that started in 2004, and carried on by whoever holds the reigns of the local government.
"I am very pleased about your constancy. At the same time, I am surprised that Pulong Buhangin's achievements in fighting child labor is not so well-known," said Baldoz in her message during her visit.
"Because of this, I hereby instruct our DOLE officials in Region 3 to document your good practices and to popularize them so that other barangays may emulate and follow Pulong Buhangin's example," she added.
Baldoz recalled that Barangay Pulong Buhangin had a previous high incidence of child labor in the pyrotechnics industry, one of the industries which the province of Bulacan is known for, but it had since achieved the status as a child labor-free barangay. It is one of five barangays in Region 3 included in the DOLE's Child Labor-Free Barangay Campaign. The other barangays are Sisiman in Mariveles, Bataan; San Jose in Dipaculao, Aurora; Pandacaqui in Mexico, Pampanga; and Central in San Miguel, Tarlac.
During the visit, Barangay Captain Buenaventura presented Secretary Baldoz a copy of the Sangguniang Barangay resolution informing the DOLE that Pulong Buhangin is a child labor-free barangay and committing that it will remain so in the years to come.
“I commend Barangay Chairman Buenaventura and his officials. I likewise commend the municipal government of Sta. Maria, led by Mayor Omeng Ramos, and the provincial government of Bulacan, under the helm of Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, for their support to the government's anti-child labor program," Baldoz said, noting that Brgy. Pulong Buhangin has a very active Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) supported by the Sta. Maria Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC) and the Provincial Committee on Child Labor (PCCL).
Convergence with other government agencies in the national and local level, as well as political will, mark the characteristics of Pulong Buhangin's anti-child labor program and which had enabled it to bring back 700 child laborers and children at risks to school from the hazardous work of pyrotechnics-making.
According to the 2011 Survey on Children of the National Statistics Office, there are about 2.93 million children aged 5 to 17 years in Central Luzon. Of this number, 320,000 are reported to be child laborers. The DOLE, as lead implementing agency of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) has been taking very serious effort and in carrying out measures and strategies in the campaign against child labor involving all stakeholders and partner agencies, especially those from the grassroots level.
“Bulacan is a priority target area of the DOLE’s Child Labor-Free Barangay Campaign. It has still children from the marginalized sector who are very much at risk because they are working in the pyrotechnics industry,” said Baldoz.(PNA)
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AFP inducts 80 “peace ambassadors”
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Aug. 26 (PNA) -- The clarion call for a long lasting and people-centered peace in the country has gained more grounds as about 80 people were inducted as peace ambassadors by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as part of the military’s Internal Peace Security Plan (IPSP)-Bayanihan.
In an interview, Philippine Air Force Col. Gerardo M. Zamudio Jr., chief of the Public Affairs Division (0J7) of the AFP, said that the new peace ambassadors will help boost the “people-centered” peace initiatives being propagated by AFP chief of staff General Jessie D. Dellosa through the IPSP-Bayanihan.
The IPSP-Bayanihan is a multi-sectoral campaign that opens up space for the involvement of the Filipino people in defining, shaping and ensuring long lasting peace in the country.
Zamudio said that the peace ambassadors were inducted during a ceremony hosted by the Rotary Club of Camp Aguinaldo with the support of Rotary International District 3780 at the Lapu-Lapu Hall of the AFP Reserve Command in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City last Friday.
They were sworn-in by Rear Admiral Miguel Jose S. Rodriguez, deputy chief of staff for civil military office (J7), who represented AFP chief of staff Gen. Dellosa.
“We at the Armed Forces are happy to have you as our new partners. We are also happy to learn that the Rotary’s theme is peace through service and that your participation as peace ambassadors will create wider awareness and understanding on our country’s peace situation,” Dellosa said in his message.
Rodriguez, for his part, called on the new peace ambassadors to stand firm in the responsibility of a peace ambassador such as promoting peace in the communities they serve by being messengers and builders of peace and become the face of the country’s peace program.
Among those who attended and witnessed the induction of the new peace ambassadors include Brigadier General Domingo Tutaan, chief of the AFP Human Rights Office; Col. Isidro Purisima, chief of the research and Doctrine Division (J3), Milet Calingo, peace program officer of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process; Governor Penny Policarpio of Rotary International District 3780; Beth Directo, Peace President of the Rotary Club of Camp Aguinaldo and Ernesto A. Alcanzare, lead organizer of the “Yes for Peace—Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan” movement.
Alcanzare said it is high time for the Filipino people to take ownership of the IPSP-Bayanihan, adding that “towards this end, the Yes for Peace movement can serve as an initial step in generating democratic support for it.” (PNA)
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AFP’s “IPSP-Bayanihan” team holds peace forum at Bulacan State University
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Aug. 23 (PNA) -- Representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity and the Yes For Peace-Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan movement have joined hands in promoting the growing clamor for a long lasting peace in the country.
Philippine Air Force Col. Gerardo M. Zamudio Jr., chief of the Public Affairs Division (0J7) of the AFP, said the peace and development forum held at the Valencia Hall of the Bulacan State University (BulSU) Wednesday afternoon aims to fortify the networks and cooperation among different groups, including the academe, in advocating a genuine program for a long lasting peace process.
The forum carries the theme “Peaceful Future for a Well Developed Community.”
Zamudio presented to some 50 members of the Alpha Phi Omega (Epsilon Kappa Chapter) headed by grand chancellor Renz Imond V. Ocay and BulSU students the AFP’s “Internal Peace Security Plan (IPSP)-Bayanihan”, a multi-sectoral campaign that opens up space for the involvement of the Filipino people in defining, shaping, and ensuring long lasting peace in the country.
Zamudio explained that the IPSP acknowledges that the contribution of each and every government agency, civil society organization, and even local community, is vital in ensuring peace and security.
“This military plan for peace is now owned by the Filipino people because we believe that a purely military solution is inadequate in addressing the internal security concern of the nation,” he said.
He added that the quest for long lasting peace in the country is everybody’s concern.
He thanked the Alpha Phi Omega, the PNP and the Yes for Peace-Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan for helping them in spreading the AFP’s IPSP.
He also mentioned that they are fortunate that a big organization like the Yes For Peace-Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan is now working hand-hand with all sectors of society down to the grassroots level.
Ernesto A. Alcanzare, lead organizer of the Yes for Peace-Bayanihan sa Kapayapaan, said if there will be no more conflicts in the country, the government can achieve more in propelling the country to growth and development.
Chief Inspector Wendel Arinas, who represented the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, said the issues and concern of the peace process is not only the responsibility of the PNP and the AFP but the general public as well.
“The quest for a long lasting peace in our country is a collective effort where every Filipino has a say and has a big role to do towards achieving it,” Arinas said. (PNA)
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(UPDATE)Rampaging floods destroy 21 houses in Bulacan
by Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Aug. 8 (PNA) -- Rampaging floodwaters swept at least 21 houses in barangays Poblacion, Paltao, Sto. Cristo and Tabing-Ilog, all in Pulilan town, on Wednesday morning.
A house in Barangay Sto. Cristo here was also destroyed after it was crushed by a giant mango tree that was uprooted by severe flooding that has submerged 33 villages in this capital city since Monday.
Another house was also destroyed by landslide caused by an eroded dike in Barangay Lumang Bayan in Plaridel town.
There were no casualties in the said incidents, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported.
The severe flooding being experienced in many parts of the province also claimed the lives of Anob Langres, a six-month old baby boy in Barangay Look here, and Roy Cailan, 47, a resident of Barangay San Pascual, Obando on Tuesday.
Liz Mungcal, PDRRMC executive director, said both victims drowned after being swept by rampaging floodwaters.
A radio message received at the Bulacan Emergency Response and Rescue Operations Center said that two boys were missing after crossing a swollen creek in Barangay Sapang Dayap, San Ildefonso town Wednesday afternoon.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando, boarded a dump truck and led a convoy of trucks carrying relief goods to flood victims in Barangay Antipona, Bocaue and Barangay Bayugo in Meycauayan City.
Alvarado also asked the public to call 044-7910566, the hotline of the Bulacan Emergency Response and Rescue Operations Center for assistance.
Rescue and massive relief operations are still on-going.
Troops from the Philippine Army and the policemen from the Provincial Safety Management Company are also assisting in the relief and rescue operations. (PNA)
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(Update) Bulacan now under state of calamity; 222 villages flooded
By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Aug. 8 (PNA) -- Citing that the province has experienced one of the worst flooding in years, the provincial government of Bulacan headed by Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on Wednesday declared the entire province under a “state of calamity”.
The declaration was announced by Alvarado on Wednesday morning at the command post of the Bulacan Emergency and Rescue Center as he convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC). It was backed up by a resolution from the Sanguniang Panglalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando.
Alvarado, who is the chairman of the PDRRMC, said that the occurrence of southwest monsoon brought intensive rainfall in most parts of the province that caused a minimum of one foot to maximum of nine feet flooding.
He said that as of Tuesday night, at least 222 villages in 18 towns and three cities were submerged under one to five feet of floodwaters.
The severe flooding affected a total of 75,365 families.
The governor said that the calamity caused the evacuation of more than 7,000 families spread in 115 evacuation centers and has caused heavy damage to properties, infrastructure and agriculture in the province, which needs immediate actions.
He said the hardest hit was the town of Obando where all its 11 villages have been submerged under two to five feet of floods for two weeks now.
The capital city of Malolos also absorbed much of the flooding brought by the southwest monsoons.
As of Wednesday morning, the number of villages affected has risen to 33, most of which were submerged under one to three feet of floodwaters.
The towns of Baliwag (24 villages under one to five feet of floods); Calumpit (16 villages under one to four feet); Marilao (14 villages under one to five feet), Paombong (14 villages under one to two feet), Bocaue (12 villages under one to five feet), Bulacan (12 villages under one to five feet) and Hagonoy (11 villages under one to five feet) also bore the brunt of excessive flooding brought by intense rainfall in the past two days.
Other areas affected were Bustos (10 villages under one to three feet), Guiguinto (eight villages under one to two feet), Pulilan (eight villages under one to two feet), Guiguinto (eight villages under one to two feet), San Ildefonso (seven villages under one to four feet), Sta. Miguel (five villages under one to five feet), Balagtas (five villages under one to five feet), San Rafael (four villages under one to two feet), San Jose del Monte City (four villages under one to two feet), Meycauayan City (three villages under one to five feet) and Sta. Maria (two villages under one to two feet).
Alvarado also asked operators of Ipo dam and Bustos dam to momentarily close their spill gates and stop the release of water due to the floods coming from Nueva Ecija and Pampanga that is cascading towards the low-lying towns of Calumpit and Hagonoy, which have become the perennial catch basin of backfloods in Bulacan.
“Everything is properly coordinated. We have been constantly monitoring the two dams as well as the water elevation of Angat dam and regularly coordinate with dam officials," he added.
He said they are also keeping a tight watch on the water-carrying capacity of the Angat river, where the release waters of Ipo and Bustos dams flows.
“If the Angat river and Labangan channel can, then it will the time we will allow to release but it should be done gradually,” Alvarado added.
The governor said that health and social welfare workers are now attending to the needs of the flood victims.
He said rescue teams are still on alert as many parts of the province are still heavily flooded.
Relief goods and medicines are also being repacked for distributions to affected families still housed at different evacuation centers.
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the water elevation at Angat dam was 209.10 meters, which is nearing its spilling level of 210 meters.
The water elevation at Ipo dam was 100.30 meters, the PDRRMC reported. (PNA)
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(UPDATE)Torrential rains transform many parts of Bulacan into virtual ” water world”, 59 villages flooded
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Aug.7 (PNA)--Rampaging floodwaters brought by non-stop torrential rains has transformed large parts of the province into a virtual “water world” with at least 59 villages in five towns and two cities submerged under two to five feet of floods, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported Tuesday morning.
PDRRMC chairman Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has put emergency response and recue teams on 24 hours alert.
Rescue teams were also dispatched to severely flooded areas to evacuate affected residents.
Relief goods and medicines were also being readied and hauled to trucks for immediate delivery to flood victims.
Alvarado, who was personally supervising operations at the PDRRMO command center at the provincial capitol here, said they are closely monitoring the status of Ipo and Bustos dams, both of which have opened two spill gates since Monday night and Tuesday morning.
"The Bustos dam is crucial. If it can withstand the water being released by Ipo dam, the massive flooding in the downstream areas might be avoided," he said.
As of 6:30 Tuesday morning, Ipo dam has released a total of 346 cubic meters per second of water after its spilling level of 101 meters was breached Monday night. The water elevation as of 6:50 am Tuesday was 101.22 meters.
The water elevation at Angat dam as of 8:00am Tuesday was 204.18, still below its spilling level of 210 meters.
Severe flooding has inundated the towns of Obando (all 11 villages under two to five feet of floods), Calumpit (13 villages under one to five feet), Marilao (8 villages under two to five feet), Bocaue (four villages under one-five feet), and Pulilan (three villages under one to five feet).
At least 16 villages in this capital city were inundated by rising floodwaters, stranding and forcing many residents to wade into knee-deep floodwaters.
Major roads in the city have been submerged under 2 to 5 feet of floodwaters rendering some unpassable to light vehicles, initial reports reaching the PDRRMC said.
Liz Mungcal, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said that some 150 persons or 40 families in Barangay San Pascual, Obando and 20 persons (4 families) in Barangay Catanghalan also in Obando were evacuated to higher grounds due to rising floods.
Residents along swollen rivers were also advised to move to safer grounds as early as Monday afternoon, Mungcal said.
Thousands of motorists were stranded along the southbound and northbound of North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) caused by flooding in the areas of Valenzuela City, Marilao and Bocaue. All entry points and service roads are now closed.
McArthur highway in Marilao and Meycauayan town is not passable to light vehicles. (PNA)
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Police rescue 47 human trafficking victims in Tawi-Tawi
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 3 (PNA) – Government authorities have rescued 47 victims of human trafficking and arrested two suspects - a policeman and his wife - on two separate operations in the province of Tawi-Tawi, officials disclosed Friday.
Of the rescued 47 victims, 27 are females, including two minors, and the remaining 20 are males, two of them also minors.
Tawi-Tawi police director Senior Supt. Rodelio Jocson said 25 - 20 males and five females - of the total number of victims were intercepted on Tuesday at the port of Bongao town, the capital of Tawi-Tawi province.
The victims had just disembarked from the boat that came from Zamboanga City when they were intercepted by policemen and port officials, Jocson added.
Jocson said the other 22 victims - all females - were rescued on Wednesday at a pension house and at the residence of a policeman also in the municipality of Bongao.
Jocson withheld the name of the arrested policeman and his wife, saying they are still being investigated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
Ailyn Repadas of the Visayan Forum Foundation (VFF) disclosed that some of the rescued female victims are bound for Jordan and Syria.
The VFF is a non-government organization (NGO) established in 1991 and works for the welfare of marginalized migrants, especially those working in the invisible and informal sectors.
The VFF works in issues of domestic work, child labor and human trafficking especially of women and children.
Repadas said the victims were hired as domestic workers in Jordan and Syria with Malaysia as their jump-off point.
The rest of the victims, especially the males, were hired as plantation workers in Malaysia, she said.
The victims are from the provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, and from as far as Bulacan, Pampanga and Pangasinan, Jocson disclosed. (PNA)
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2 more die in Bulacan floods; many villages still flooded
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Aug. 3 (PNA) -- A six- month old baby boy was swept away by floods in the still severely flooded town of Obando while a teenage boy drowned in a flooded village in Meycauayan City, bringing to four the typhoon-related death toll in the province, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported on Friday.
Liz Mungcal, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, identified the latest victims as CJ Carlo Marcos ,6 months old, of Barangay Paliwas, Obando; and Justine Franscisco, 19, resident of Barangay Malhacan, Meycauayan City.
The PDRRMC report said the baby boy fell from a flooded house in Barangay Paliwas and was swept away by strong currents and drowned. On the other hand, Franscisco drowned while swimming in a swollen creek.
Last Tuesday, Efren Salvacion, 41, of Barangay Paco, Obando and Patrick dela Rosa, 12, f Barangay Abangan Sur, Marilao drowned in separate incidents in the flooded towns of Obando and Marilao.
The number of flooded villages in the province also rose to 82 after high tide aggravated the flooding in the coastal towns of Paombong (14 villages), Hagonoy (13 vilages) and Calumpit (16 villages). The other flooded towns are Bulakan (10 villages), Marilao (5 villages) and Meycauayan City (13 villages).
The PDRRMC also reported that six houses in Barangay Masukol, Paombong were destroyed by strong winds and rampaging floods last Wednesday.
All 11 villages in the coastal town of Obando, which the municipal government declared as under a state of calamity last Monday, are still under one to three feet of floodwater.
PDRRMC chairman Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said relief operations are still on-going in the affected areas.
He said the PDRRMC is also monitoring the status at the three big dams -— Angat, Ipo and Bustos -- in Bulacan.
As of 8:00 a.m. Friday, the water elevation at Angat dam was 198. 82 meters, still way below its spilling level of 212 meters while the water level at Ipo dam was 100.41 meters, almost on its spilling level of 100.50 meters. (PNA)
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Two car thieves nabbed while selling stolen van in Bulacan
STA. MARIA, Bulacan, Aug. 2 (PNA) -- Police arrested two alleged car thieves while selling a stolen van in Barangay Poblacion here Tuesday afternoon.
Supt. Lailene Amparo, town police chief, identified the arrested suspects as Ariel Biquiano, 47, a resident of 2000 Almeda Street, Tondo, Manila, and Gilbert Sorillo, 35, a resident of Balintawak, Quezon City.
Amparo said that a concerned citizen reported to the Sta Maria police station that there were two unidentified males offering to sale a suspected carnapped vehicle, a white L-300 Almasora bearing plate number BDL-91, in Barangay Poblacion.
Upon receipt of the report, Amparo said that a police team proceeded to the place, where the suspects were apprehended and the alleged carnapped vehicle recovered.
Investigators disclosed that the vehicle was offered to the informant but when he learned that it was a carnapped vehicle, he did not buy it and instead tipped off the police.
Amparo said that when the informant refused to buy the vehicle, the suspects offered it to one Vicente Villarin, a resident of 51 R. Mercado Street, Barangay Poblacion, Sta. Maria who agreed to purchase the vehicle at P150,000.
She said that while Villarin was on the way to his office to get money, a police team informed him that the Mitsubishi L300 that he was about to buy was a “stolen vehicle.”
The police officers then convinced Villarin to help in setting up an entrapment operation that resulted in the apprehension of the suspects.
The arrested suspects and Villarin were brought to Sta Maria police station for further investigation.
When the suspects were questioned, they admitted that they stole the vehicle while it was parked along Avenida Rizal, Sta Cruz, Manila.
The suspects and the recovered vehicle are presently under the custody of Sta Maria police. (PNA)
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Typhoon “Gener” ravages farmlands in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Aug. 1 (PNA) -- Strong winds and flooding caused by heavy rains spawned by typhoon “Gener” has ravaged many farmlands in the province, destroying agricultural crops estimated to be worth P29.78 million, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported on Wednesday.
Liz Mungcal, executive officer of PDRRMO, said the floods wrought damage to agricultural crops, fisheries and livestock in the towns of Balagtas, Bulakan, Bustos, Calumpit, Guiguinto, Marilao, Pulilan, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, San Rafael and Malolos City.
She said the total damage in rice crops have reached P24.8 million, while the estimated damage for vegetable crops was pegged at P1.4 million.
The damage on fisheries was estimated at P3.55 million while P6,000 of livestocks were destroyed.
As of 12 noon Wednesday, the PDRRMO reported that 50 villages in the six towns and one city of the province are still flooded.
Hardest hit are the coastal town of Obando, Hagonoy and Calumpit.
At least 11 villages in Obando are submerged under three to five feet of floodwaters while 16 villages in Hagonoy are under one to three feet of floodwater.
In Calumpit, 11 villages are flooded under one to three feet, the PDRRMO report said.
The other areas affected are the towns of Marilao, San Miguel, Sta. Maria and Meycauayan City.
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has dispatched relief teams to the affected areas and put emergency teams on 24 hours alert.
He also instructed the Bulacan Emergency Response Center to closely monitor the three big dams in the province -Angat, Ipo and Bustos- as well as the damaged Bulo irrigation dam in San Miguel town where at least 14 villages were hit by flashfloods last Saturday.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the water elevation at Angat dam was 195.26 meters, which is still way below its spilling level of 212 meters. The water elevation at Ipo dam was 100.65 meters. (PNA)
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Floods hit villages in Bulacan, Ipo, Bustos dams release water
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, July 30 (PNA) -- Several villages in this province were submerged in floodwaters due to heavy rains brought by tropical storm "Gener".
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said among the villages affected by continuous rains since Sunday night are in the towns of Marilao, Obando and San Miguel.
In Obando town, all roads under water were not passable to all light vehicles while in Marilao, only heavy vehicles can pass through barangays Lias and Ibayo, the PDRRMC said.
Classes in the private and public schools in Obando and Marilao were likewise suspended.
Meanwhile, San Miguel town mayor Roderick Tiongson said although the floods receded in some areas of the municipality, they are still closely monitoring the floodwaters in barangays San Ilog Bulo, Bagong Silang, Salakot and Buga.
"As of now, there is no need to evacuate the residents but we need to be always prepared and ready due to bad weather," Tiongson said.
The 14 villages of this town might be hit by flashfloods anytime due to the damaged Bulo irrigation dam, he said.
The PDRRMC is also closely monitoring the status of Ipo and Bustos dams as authorities began releasing water early Monday after reaching critical levels.
As of 5:00 a.m. Monday, the two gates of Ipo dam were opened by 50 cm. Its water elevation is 100.88 m which has an equivalent discharge of 154.8 cms.
Bustos dam also opened two gates with a total gate opening of six meters. Its water elevation is 17.51 m which has an equivalent discharge of 150 cms.
Residents in low lying areas along the Angat river from Norzagaray to Hagonoy are advised to be alert for possible increase in the water level downstream. (PNA)
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Bulacan implements province-wide plastic ban
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, July 25 (PNA) -- This province will finally implement the ordinance prohibiting the use and sale of plastic bags in support to the global environmental campaign on the reduction of non-biodegradable wastes.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has recently signed the implementing rules and regulations of Provincial Ordinance No. 2012-09.
The said ordinance prohibits Bulakenyos from buying, selling and using non-biodegradable plastic bags, styrofoam and other kinds of plastic packaging materials in the 21 towns and three cities of the province.
In addition, burning and disposal of the said materials are also prohibited.
However, oxo biodegradable plastic made from polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene as wrapper of wet goods is an exemption to the law.
Under the said ordinance, violators will face a fine of P3,000 to P5,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months to one year.
Violators who do not have the capacity to pay the fine must serve the community through environment-related services for three months or longer upon the discretion of the court.
All commercial establishments, stores and markets alike will be given 15 days after the posting of the said ordinance to comply to avoid renunciation of their business permits.
The ordinance should be posted near the cashier, check-out counter or in stalls of public markets, malls, talipapa, supermarket, restaurants, fastfoods, retail outlets, schools and other commercial establishments.
With this, the governor has urged the full cooperation of local officials as well as all the Bulakenyos in this campaign.
"We need to work hand-in-hand for our Mother Earth. I do believe that it is not yet late to save our environment. I am asking for the cooperation of all in this province-wide plastic ban campaign," he added. (PNA)
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19 villages in 2 cities and 3 towns of Bulacan flooded
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, July 23 (PNA) -- Heavy rains spawned by typhoon “Ferdie” has submerged 19 villages in the cities of Meycauyan and Malolos and in the towns of Obando, Calumpit and Pulilan, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PRRDMC) reported on Monday.
In a report to PDRRMC chairman Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, PDRRMO executive officer Liz Mungcal said that the seven villages in Meycauayan City are under two to three feet of floodwater due to high tide and heavy rains that pelted many parts of the province since Saturday.
Mungcal said nine villages in Obando are under one to two feet of floodwater while four villages in Malolos City are submerged under one feet of water.
Two villages in Calumpit and one in Pulilan are also flooded, she said.
She said Bustos dam continues to release water since Saturday morning.
As of 3 a.m. Monday, Bustos dam has released 90 cubic meters per second of water.
She said that the release is a regular operation at the said dam and poised no immediate threat to residents in the downstream of Angat river.
The governor has advised local government units (LGUs) ”to monitor their area of responsibility (AOR), take appropriate action and report to operation center (OPCEN) any untoward incident.”
As of 8 a.m. Monday, the water elevation at Angat dam is at 190.61 meters, still way below its spilling level of 212 meters. The water elevation at Ipo dam was 100.36 meters (spilling level is 101 meters). (PNA)
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PDEA declares Bulacan Provincial Jail a 'Drug-Free Zone'
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, July 18 (PNA) -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has declared the Bulacan Provincial Jail as a “drug-free zone”.
This was after PDEA men conducted a surprise and thorough inspection of all the prison cells and found not a single evidence of illegal drugs or paraphernalia on Wednesday morning.
Provincial warden Retired Lt. Col. Pepito B. Plamenco said that a joint team of PDEA agents led by regional director Roybell Sanchez and deputy Albert Buenafe and provincial jail guards conducted an early morning search of targeted cells using K-9 narcotics sniffing dogs.
Sanchez lauded the strict security and monitoring inside the Bulacan Provincial Jail, which in the past years have been notoriously known as a penitentiary where prohibited substance like methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" are allegedly being sold.
The “drug-free” atmosphere now prevailing inside the provincial jail was also due to the full cooperation of inmates as well as various anti-drug programs and activities.
Plamenco said that the provincial government headed by Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando, through the BPJ, has initiated strict security and monitoring measures to ensure that no illegal drugs of any kind, can be sneaked inside the provincial jail. (PNA)
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MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, July 3 (PNA) -- Heavy rains spawned by low pressure area (LPA) near Ambulong, Batangas have breached Tuesday morning the spilling level of the reservoir of Ipo Dam in Norzagaray town, prompting authorities to release excess water.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said the Ipo Dam has opened two spill gates by 30 centimeters each at 6:45 a.m.
It started releasing water at 48.5 cubic meters per second.
The dam's water level has reached 101.75 meters, past its normal water level of 100.5 meters.
With this, the dam management has alerted the local government units of Norzagaray, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Plaridel, Angat and Calumpit as the dam continues to release water.
Gov. Wilhelhimo M. Sy-Alvarado said the PDRRMC has been constantly monitoring the status and water elevation of Ipo as well as Angat Dam.
The water level at Angat Dam was recorded at 186.05 meters above sea level on Tuesday morning, still below its 212-meter spilling level.
The governor also said that Liz Mungcal, executive officer of PDRRMC, has coordinated with municipal and city disaster risk reduction councils in the province and other concerned agencies to monitor the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather bulletins, Ipo and Bustos Dams and the suspension of classes.
Meanwhile, classes in all levels at public and private schools in Ubando town were suspended after heavy rains and high tide from Manila Bay flooded several villages. (PNA)
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Three suspected robbers killed in Bulacan shootout
MANILA, June 23 (PNA) - Three suspected members of highway robbery group were killed alleged shootout with policemen in Barangay Longos, Pulilan, Bulacan late Friday night.
Senior Supt. Fernando Mendez, Jr., Bulacan provincial police director, said the encounter between lawmen and the lawless elements took place around 10:05 p.m.
Prior the shootout, the motorcycle-riding suspects robbed tricycle driver Joey Malabon, 34, of his watch, necklace, and ring worth P8,000 and P1,250 cash while the latter was passing through Barangay Peñabatan at about 8:45 p.m.
Malabon immediately reported the incident to the Bulacan police. Responding lawmen spotted the suspects in Barangay Longos.
Instead of surrendering, the suspects opened fire on the policemen, who immediately returned fire, killing the suspects instantly.
The slain suspects remained unidentified
Police recovered a .38 caliber revolver and two motorcycles at the encounter site.(PNA)
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Rehab of Angat Dam to be finished by 2016
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, June 21(PNA) -- Barring any hitches, the rehabilitation and retrofitting of the 44- year old Angat Dam will be completed by September 2016.
This was announced by Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) administrator Gerardo A. I. Esquivel during the “Environment Summit” hosted by the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BERO) at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here on Thursday.
Esquivel, who was one of the resource speakers at the summit, discussed the topic “Angat Dam and dike safety study.”
He said that they are now on the bidding process of the project which has an allocation of P5.7 billion.
Esquivel said that he was glad that aside from the support of President Benigno S. Aquino III, he has also secured the full support of Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, who has been expressing concern on the structural integrity of the 44-year old rock-built Angat dam in Norzagaray town. According to the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Angat Dam is sitting on the West Marikina fault line.
A recent study of MWSS substantiated the findings of Phivolcs.
Earlier, the MWSS administrator announced that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already approved the said budget and has set the bidding next month.
Esquivel said that he is studying the procurement of a government helicopter that will monitor the condition of the watershed areas in Angat Dam, where most of its forest cover are now getting denuded due to unabated illegal logging activities.
For his part, Governor Alvarado delivered an integrated and comprehensive report on the environment protection program and on the disaster preparedness being undertaken by the provincial government.
He said the provincial government is now pursuing a pro-active approach on disaster risk reduction and management programs and climate change adaptation.
He also said that they are also zeroing on disaster risk reduction preparedness and mitigation as well as programs concerning climate change adaptation.
Alvarado said that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) is now actively engaged in a province-wide information campaign and mobilization of resources.
The governor also said that the environment summit is being done for the youth and for the future of the next generation.
The summit is one of the top programs highlighting the observance of environment month in the province. (PNA)
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Bulakenyos pay tribute to Katipuneros of Kakarong Republic
By Emil G. Gamos
PANDI, Bulacan, June 16 (PNA)--With a youth model proudly waving a Philippine flag, the provincial government, in cooperation with the municipal government here and the Bulacan State University, on Friday paid tribute to the revolutionary heroes of the Kakarong Republic by planting trees at the “Inang Filipina” shrine in Barangay Real de Kakarong and holding “Kalikasan, Kasaysayan at Kasarinlan” (KKK) on the spot painting contest.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the activities were among of the highlights of the environment month.
At the same time, the governor said the activities aimed to create public awareness on the historic significance of the place, which is the first of the three republics in Bulacan. The other two republics are the Biak-na-Bato Republic in San Miguel and the Malolos Republic in Malolos City.
He said the place is being developed into an eco-heritage park so that students and tourists can enjoy the pristine beauty of Real de Kakarong and at the same time, remind them of the gallantry of Filipino katipunero soldiers headed by the long-haired Filipino revolutionary General Eusebio Roque, also known as “Maestrong Sebio” and “Dimabungo.”
It was in Kakarong de Sili where about 6,000 Katipuneros from various towns of Bulacan, headed by "Maestrong Sebio" that the "Kakarong Republic" was organized shortly after the cry of Balintawak. The fort was attacked and totally destroyed on Jan. 1, 1897 by a large Spanish force, headed by General Olaguer-Feliu. Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar was only a lieutenant at that time and the Battle of Kakarong de Sili was his "baptism of fire".
Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) chief Atty. Rustico “Teddy” de Belen said that they were virtually hitting “two birds with one stone” in developing the “Inang Filipina” shrine into an eco-heritage park.
“We are infusing environment protection and at the same time promoting the historic significance of the Kakarong Republic”, de Belen said.
He said the project was in partnership with the municipal government of Pandi headed by Mayor Enrico Roque and the Bulacan State University led by its President Dr. Mariano C. de Jesus.
He said a historical marker was unveiled by provincial officials, led by Vice Governor Daniel Fernando and Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio.
A commemorative arch will also be built to welcome visitors, de Belen added.
Fernando said that history and environment could not be separated because they were both important in people's lives.
He said the bravery of the katipuneros in Bulacan have contributed greatly into the quest of Philippine independence and sovereignty as a free nation.
De Jesus, for his part, said that they were doing it for the future generation.
“We want to preserve the place so that someday kids will still enjoy the beauty of Real de kakarong and at the same time, remember the heroism of our ancestors,” De Jesus said. (PNA)
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Sun shines, doves fly as President Aquino leads 114th Philippine Independence Day rites at Barasoain Church
By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, June 12 (PNA) —- As if heralding good omen for the country, the sun was shining brightly amid a cloudy sky while three white doves flew when President Benigno S. Aquino arrived at the patio of the historic Barasoain Church here to lead the commemoration of the 114th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence Tuesday morning.
Loud cheers erupted at the churchyard when the Chief Executive alighted from the presidential limousine and was welcomed with full military honors by Army troopers clad in “rayadillo" uniform of Filipino revolutionary forces.
Together with Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa, Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Bulacan 1st Dist. Rep. Maria Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad, the Chief Executive led the simultaneous raising of the Philippine Flag, followed by the offering of flowers and tribute to the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic.
In his message, President Aquino recalled the heroism and patriotism of Filipino revolutionaries and the framers of the Malolos Constitution inside the Barasoain Church.
“Ang Pilipinas ay para sa mga Pilipino. Dito sa makasaysayang simbahan ng Barasoain, nagsama-sama ang mga kinatawan ng mga probinsya at hindi nila tayo binigo sa pagtataguyod ng pantay na karapatan sa lahat,” the President said in his opening remarks.
He said that when he became a congressman of Tarlac, he was guided by the events that took place inside the Barasoain church.
He said that the “Tuwid na Daan” policy of his administration was the same principle that reverberated inside the Barasoain Church when the Malolos Congress ratified the Malolos Constitution which gave credence to the declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.
It was also inside the Barasoain church where the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated on January 23, 1899, making the Philippines the cradle of democracy in the continents of Asia and Africa, he said.
The President also briefly mentioned the impeachment trial of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona, saying that the authority of those in power were only loaned by Juan dela Cruz or the Filipino people to them.
“Animo’y hawak nila ang piring ng katarungan. Dapat nating tandaan na ang pagtanghal ng diwa ng demokrasya ay idiniin sa mga lingkod ng bayan sa kapangyarihan ay ipinahiram sa kanila ni Juan dela Cruz. Hindi na natin hahayaang maligwak sa madilim na landas ang ating bansa. Ipagtatangol natin ang katarungang panglahat,” the President said before a jampacked crowd which came as early as 5:00 am and waited for his arrival.
The President said last year, he led the Freedom Day rites in Kawit, Cavite, and now at Barasoain Church. He said that next year, he might do it in Cebu.
“Angkop lang na maramdaman ng bawat Filipino ang tunay na demokrasya at tunay na kaluluwa ng Konstitusyon. Ito ang ipinamana sa atin ng simbahan ng Barasoain. Makakamtan natin ito kung tayo ay laging nagkakaisa, walang kurapsyon, walang nagugutom at may pantay- pantay na karapatan,” the President said.
For his part, Governor Alvarado urged the people to always remember the significance of the three republics -— the Republic of Real de Kakarong in Pandi, the Biak-na- Bato Republic in San Miguel and the Malolos Republic, in heart and in mind in order to preserve the sacrifices of Filipino patriots who shared their wisdom in drafting and ratifying the Malolos Constitution which established the Philippines as the First Democratic Republic in Asia and Africa as well as courage of Filipino revolutionaries who shed blood, sweat and tears in their quest for genuine freedom and sovereignty from foreign rule.
“Sa muling pagtunog ng tambuli, muli nating tanggapin ang tungkulin na ipagtangol ang ating kalayaan dahil ito’y isinulat ng sarili nating dugo,” the governor said.
Alvarado said the Philippine flags will be displayed all year long along major thoroughfares in the province’s 21 towns and three cities to remind us of the heroism of our forebears and to show that Bulacan is home of patriots and noble heroes. (PNA)
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P5.7 B rehab of 43-year old Angat dam to begin soon
By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, June 9 (PNA) —- After 43 years, the rock-built Angat dam will be rehabilitated and strengthened.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on Friday said President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered the release of P5.7 billion for the rehabilitation of the more than three decades old Angat dam in Norzagaray town after a technical working team of the Manila Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) finished their six-month study and evaluation of the structural integrity of the dam.
The governor said that, according to MWSS administrator Gerry Esquivel, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has already approved the said budget and has set the bidding of the project next month (July) for the three- year rehabilitation of the Angat dam.
Esquivel has earlier echoed the concern of Governor Alvarado that the 43-year old dam is already weak and needs rehabilitation.
He said the MWSS technical working group agreed with the findings of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) that the dam is sitting along the west Marikina fault line and cannot withstand a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
Unabated logging and mining activities along the Angat dam watershed area has also compromised the structural integrity of the dam, according to the Sagip Sierra Madre Environment Society.
Esquivel also said rehabilitation work at Angat dam will not disrupt the delivery of water supply of Metro Manila, which gets its bulk from the dam.
Alvarado thanked President Aquino for allotting funds and ordering the immediate rehabilitation and strengthening of the dam.
He said Phivolcs director Rene Solidum has earlier confirmed that the Marikina fault line is underneath the dam’s reservoir and poses danger to its structural integrity.
Alvarado also reiterated the creation of an integrated management approach on the operation and management of Angat, Ipo and Bustos dams which are all nestling in the province of Bulacan.
The governor has also called for a no-nonsense campaign to stop illegal logging and illegal mining activities at the watershed area of the dam. (PNA)
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3 die, 10 hurt at NLEX accident
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, June 9 (PNA) - Three people died while 10 others were injured in a vehicular accident that occurred on the northbound lane of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Barangay Longos, Balagtas, this province, before dawn Saturday.
Chief Insp. Alfonso Cruz, Balagtas police chief, identified the fatalities as Pastora Dulfo, Allen Joseph De Castro, and Victoria Santos, all of Barangay Sto. Cristo, Paombong, Bulacan.
Police said Dulfo died at the Bulacan Provincial Hospital while De Castro and Santos were pronounced dead on arrival at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Malolos City.
Initial investigation showed that the incident occurred at around 2:30 a.m. while the victims were on board a Toyota Granvia Wagon with plate No. RFH-316 and driven by Joel Tobias, 35, of Sitio Ibayo, Barangay Rosario, Paombong.
It was learned that prior to the incident, the victims, all relatives, came from Meycauayan City and where on their way home to Paombong when the rear left tire of the van blew up, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to overturn and slam against the concrete barrier along the expressway.
Police said seven of the 10 injured victims were already pronounced out of danger. (PNA)
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President Aquino to lead Independence Day celebration at Barasoain Church
By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, June 8 (PNA) —- Bulakenyos felt a great sense of pride as government officials announced on Friday that no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III will grace the commemoration of the 114th anniversary of Philippine Independence at the historic Barasoain Church here on June 12.
Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, said that the Chief Executive will lead the simultaneous raising of the Philippine flag at the patio of the Barasoain Church which will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic.
She said that the program will be simple but dignified, starting with the arrival honors for President Aquino at 8:00 a.m.
Diokno made the announcement during the Talakayang Bulakenyo jointly conducted by the Philippines Information Agency (PIA) and the Provincial Public Affairs Office (PPAO) at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center.
She said that this year’s theme “ Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan” is in line with the administration’s program of good governance and eradication of corrupt practices in government.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado that this is the first time that the highest official of the Republic will attend the Independence Day celebration at the historic Barasoain church.
“It’s about time that the historic events and significance of Barasoain church has been recognized. Without Barasoain Church, there will be no ratification and declaration of independence sa Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. It is in this church where the first Constitution was created that gave birth of the democracy in Asia and Africa regions,” Alvarado said.
Alvarado explained that Barasoain Church is among the three historic sites where the simultaneous raising of the national flag will be held on Independence Day.
He praised Malacanang for giving total recognition and importance to the historic events that took place in Malolos at the threshold of Philippine freedom from foreign rule.
Alvarado said they are also pushing that January 23, the anniversary of the First Philippine Republic, be made into a national holiday.
He said that Philippine Flags are now displayed all year long in all parts of the province.
If Baguio was recognized for its Panagbenga flower festival and Pampanga became famous for their colorful lanterns, Bulacan can be acknowledged as the province of Filipino heroes, Alvarado said.
There will also be a job fair and medical services around the compound of Barasoain Church, according to PPAO chief Maricel Santos-Cruz.
More than 500 police and military personnel will be deployed around the historic Barasoain Church on June 12. (PNA)
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Killer of Bulacan couple surrenders to Scout Ranger head
MANILA, June 6 (PNA) - Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Major Harold Cabunoc said that the Scout Ranger trooper, who shot and killed a couple in Barangay Kaypian, Palmera, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan last May 23, has voluntarily surrendered to his commanding officer last week.
Cabunoc said that Pfc. Maximo Pasking was placed under the custody of 1st Scout Ranger Regiment head Col. Abraham Bagasin and strict guard at the unit's base in San Miguel, Bulacan.
The PA spokesperson also said that Bagasin would quickly hand Pasking over to civilian authorities once the latter's arrest warrants were served.
Pasking shot dead couples Vicente and Morena Sinugbuan allegedly after one of the victims attacked him with a knife.
Also injured in the incident were Jennifer Orario and Melanie Queraz. (PNA)
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CIDG nabs four persons wanted for various child and women abuse cases
MANILA, June 4 (PNA) - Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested four suspects in various child and women abuse cases during operations in Bulacan, Cebu and Catanduanes provinces last week.
Director Samuel D. Pagdilao, CIDG chief, identified the those arrested as Jun T. Sumbad, Jocylin A. Balunan, Rommel G. Cajuday and Eusebio D. Bronola.
Sumbad was arrested last May 30 by CIDG agents and police units based on an arrest warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando City, La Union for child abuse.
"Arrested accused was brought to the Sta. Maria Police Station, Bulacan Police Provincial Office and will be transported to Regional Intelligence Unit-1, San Fernando City, La Union for documentation prior to turnover to the issuing court," Pagdilao said.
Sumbad is wanted for violation of Section 5(b) of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Child Abuse Law of 1992, which punishes sexual abuse of children.
A CIDG team led by Chief Insp. Helson B. Walin and Police Senior Insp. Samson B. Pascual arrested the suspect at about 6:50 a.m. at the corner of Gov. Halili St. and Bulacan St. in Barangay Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
Sumbad is on top of the list of most wanted persons in Region I and carries a reward of P90,000 under Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2010-54.
Also on the same date, CIDG agents based in Cebu nabbed Balunan and Bronola for violation of Article 256 of the Revised Penal Code (Internal Abortion).
The two were apprehended by CIDG operatives led by Chief Insp. Fermin D. Armendarez III in an entrapment operation in Barangay T. Padilla, Cebu City, following several reports on the group's illegal activities.
Seized from the suspects were various materials used for abortion, marked money and a mobile phone.
Based on initial investigation, Balunan was identified as the leader of the group, which also includes Dinah Sapra, Badak Ilasin, Rona Capas, and a certain Imok and Loloy who are still at-large.
In Catanduanes, Pagdilao said the CIDG arrested Cajuday on account of an arrest warrant issued by the Virac RTC for violation of Republic Act No. 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997.
The suspect was arrested by a CIDG team led by Senior Insp. Elmer Galan at about 10:30 a.m. in Barangay Sto. Nino, Virac, Catanduanes last May 29.
Cajuday has three pending cases for rape filed before the Virac court.
Pagdilao said the arrest of the four suspects in child abuse, abortion and rape is part of the CIDG's campaign to protect the welfare of children and women in the country.
The operation against the suspects are part of the CIDG's campaign against most wanted persons dubbed "Oplan Pagtugis" -- a flagship project aligned with the Philippine National Police's 10-point action plan to reform the entire police community as outlined by PNP chief Director-General Nicanor A. Bartolome.
The action plan includes reforms, performance audits, skills development, increased visibility, human rights awareness, accounting of wanted persons, transactional transparency, improvement of discipline and welfare projects. (PNA)
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New barangay roads to spur growth in Bulacan
BALAGTAS, Bulacan, June 3 (PNA) - Citing that good roads are vital to growth and development, the municipal government here led by Mayor Romy Castro opened five new concrete roads and a day care center on Friday.
Castro, together with Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and 2nd district Rep. Pedro Panco, led the ceremonial cutting of ribbons in the opening of the newly-constructed village roads and a day care center in Barangay Burol 1st, Barangay Burol 2nd, Northville in Barangay Santol and Sitio Florante (Sulok) in Barangay Panginay.
Castro said Balagtas is fast becoming a hub of growth and development, now that a new expressway of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) has linked the booming town to the towns of Bustos, Plaridel, Baliwag and San Rafael.
He said the road projects and the day care center in Barangay Panginay were constructed with the help of Gov. Alvarado and Rep. Pancho.
Alvarado said more roads are being rehabilitated in many parts of the province.
He said many foreign investors are now eyeing Bulacan to put their business ventures because of the well paved roads and its proximity to Metro Manila and other growth areas in Central Luzon.(PNA)
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Bulacan to hold various activities for Environment Month
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, June 1 (PNA) –- The provincial government, through Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), has lined up various activities to create awareness on the protection and conservation of the environment.
The initiative is in line with the celebration of the Environment Month this June.
With this year’s theme: “Linangin ang Kakayahan, Kalingain ang Kalikasan para sa Kinabukasan”, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the “Buwan ng Kapaligiran” will kick off on June 4 with a groundbreaking of Bulacan Ecology Center at the Bulacan Medical Center.
This will be followed by a short program during the Monday’s flag raising ceremony at the Bulacan Capitol Gym in this city.
The governor said livelihood and solid waste management program such as BENRO’s Eco-Trike project will also be launched and the turn-over of classroom chairs out of recovered logs.
On June 15, a groundbreaking of historical marker at the Real De Kakarong, Pandi town will be held to promote and protect eco-tourism areas in the province.
The event will also be highlighted with the Kalikasan, Kasaysayan at Kasarinlan (KKK) painting contest and tree-planting activity.
The BENRO will also conduct an environmental summit on June 21 at the Bulacan Hiyas Pavilion which aims to involve each Bulakenyo in its fight against climate change.
The summit will be participated in by various sectors from the academe, big industries, local government units, House of Representatives and environment officials.
A basic training on environmental law enforcement is slated on June 26 to strengthen the capabilities of municipal and city ENROs and environmental law enforcers on basic law enforcement.
On June 29, there will be a launching of Collaborative Governance of Urbanizing Watersheds, an integrated research, institution and capacity building for sustainability and climate risk adaptation in Angat River Basin.
The local officials have vowed for a year-round effort of imparting the importance of conserving, protecting and managing the environment. (PNA)
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Bulakenyos pay tribute to Philippine flag
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan , May 28 (PNA) -— When it comes to paying tribute to the Philippine flag, Bulakenyos have their own patriotic way of showing it.
Young students from the Barasoain Kalinangan theatrical group depicted the history of Philippine flags from the first flags of the Katipunan to the ones used by Gen. Gregorio del Pilar.
From there, the students moved on to the portrayal of the the black flag with a white skull and crossbones of Gen. Mariano Llanera, to the present Philippine flag that Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo first unfurled in Alapan, Imus, Cavite.
Then on to May 28, 1898 after Filipino revolutionary troops emerged victorious in a fiercely fought battle with Spanish military forces.
It was also the same flag that Aguinaldo raised in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.
They performed the play was performed after officials headed by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando and Secretary Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority.
They raised a giant Philippine Flag in front of the provincial capitol during the commemoration of National Flag Day Monday.
The officials and other guests also offered a wreath of flowers at the statue of the young Bulakenyo Gen. Gregorio del Pilar.
Alvarado encouraged Bulakenyos and the Filipino people to always rally behind and respect the flag in spirit, thoughts and in deeds.
He said the piece of cloth flying proudly in the air is sacred and symbolizes the hardship and sacrifices of Filipino patriots and revolutionaries who spilt blood, sweat and tears.
Sy-Alvarado said: "Our flag is not just a piece of cloth which played along with air like a kite. Every color and symbol of our flag possess significant historical events and characters."
He said the Philippine flag will be displayed year-round in major thoroughfares of Bulacan's 21 towns and three cities to show the province is the home of noble heroes.
He said it is a great honor that Bulacan is included in the eight rays of the sun symbolizing the eight provinces that first revolted against Spanish colonial rule.
Vice Gov. Fernando, for his part, said the Philippine flag cannot stand or fly high without a sturdy pole which he described as the Filipino people.
Villanueva said he has been in government service for more than 11 years and this is the first time he attended a special flag raising ceremony in his home province.
“It is also my first time to speak in front of the capitol, under our flag, to tell you that I am proud to be a Bulakenyo and a true blooded Filipino,” Villanueva said. (PNA)
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Malolos bishop to pray for senator-judges in the impeachment trial of CJ Corona
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 26 (PNA) — Diocese of Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said he will deliver a homily on Sunday asking the faithful to pray for the senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona so that they will be guided by the Holy Spirit in rendering their verdict.
Bishop Oliveros made the announcement during the monthly press conference with Bulacan-based journalists at the Bishop Residence at the Basilica Minore (Malolos Cathedral) here Saturday morning.
“We will ask God to give our honorable senators the gift of discerning, through the Holy Spirit, to make a proper and just decision,” Oliveros said, adding that he will deliver the homily during Sunday Mass.
The bishop also took the opportunity to thank the senators for fulfilling their task.
He also hailed Senate President and Impeachment Court Presiding Judge Juan Ponce Enrile for being fair in hearing the facts on the impeachment case against the chief magistrate and for being compassionate on the health condition of Corona.
He also praised the chief justice for appearing on the witness stand.
He also called on the public not to be carried by emotions and partisanship, adding that the Filipino people should seek the truth and respect the verdict of the impeachment court.
“The gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of truth, peace and courage,” Bishop Oliveros said.
The press conference is being held every month through the Committee on Social Communications headed by Rev. Fr. Dars Cabral as part of the year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Malolos. (PNA)
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Establishment of motorcycle toll lanes on all major toll roads proposed
MANILA, May 23 (PNA) -- A lawmaker has proposed the establishment of motorcycle toll lanes or facilities on major toll roads leading to the National Capital Region (NCR) from contiguous provinces to address the growing number of road accidents involving motorcycles.
Rep. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. (1st District, Cagayan) authored House Bill 6136 to ensure protection of all motorists and to provide safe ingress and egress of motorists from the nearby provinces of Mega Manila.
Enrile said workers who live at the fringes of the metropolitan area have long been complaining about high public transportation fares, amid the decline in oil prices.
"With the increase in the circulating population in Metro Manila, public highways and toll ways have also been congested with both private and public vehicles, thus causing traffic in such areas. This led to the proliferation of motorcycles plying along national roads and highways," Enrile said.
Enrile cited data from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) which showed that the number of motorcycles registered for the first three quarters of 2011 went up by 7,096 units to 46,051 from 38,955 units for the same period in 2010.
Enrile said majority of these numbers represent workers residing in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna but are working in the neighboring city center which is Metro Manila. Their recourse is to use motorcycles as their primary means of transport, since these vehicles prove to be easy to maneuver and are fuel-efficient.
"Despite these advantages, the motorcycles are considered one of the high-risk vehicles. In 2011, motorcycle use accounted for 2,788 accidents in the country's major highways and toll roads. This is due to insufficient rules and regulations governing motorcycle use along national roads, highways and toll ways," Enrile said.
Under the measure to be known as the "Motorcycle Toll Lanes Act of 2012," toll lanes which will be designated solely for the use of motorcycles are positioned on the extreme right side of the main toll road for direction of travel.
These lanes shall measure about half the width of a normal lane on the identified toll roads. The motorcycle lanes will be separated from the main lanes by solid white lines along either side, three or more feet from the curb.
The toll gate situated at the extreme right of the toll roads is designated for sole use of motorcycles. Motorcycle operators are prohibited from using the express lanes located on the leftmost toll gates.
Moreover, forgiving roads are provided approximately three to nine meters from the main toll roads and such roads shall be free from roadside hazards such as trees and poles. If it is impossible to remove these hazards, safety barriers shall be installed instead.
Under the bill, the major toll roads leading to the NCR and exiting to Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna are covered under this Act.
Motorcycle units, which have an engine displacement of at least 100-250cc, are likewise covered provided that those with at least an engine displacement of 400cc will only be allowed along the toll roads farther than 100kms from the city of Manila. All motorcycle operators shall submit their motorcycles for registration and inspection. (PNA)
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Scout Ranger trooper kills couple, wounds two others in Bulacan
MANILA, May 23 (PNA) - A Scout Ranger trooper, armed with .45 cal. pistol, fatally shot a couple and wounded two others after he went berserk in Barangay Kaypian, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan before dawn Wednesday.
Supt. Marcos Rivero, San Jose Del Monte City police chief, identified the suspect as Pfc Maximo T. Pasking and the fatalities as couple Vicente and Morena Sinugbuan.
Wounded in the 2 a.m. shooting spree were Jennifer Orario and Melanie Queraz.
Rivero said the violence allegedly stemmed from the couple's failure to settle their balance in buying a gun from the suspect.
Police were still determining what type of firearm Pasking sold to the victim.
Rivero said that the suspect immediately fled the scene after incident.
Appropriate charges are now being prepared against Pasking. (PNA)
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Bulacan’s “midnight burglar” falls
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 19 (PNA) --A 21-year old man, whom police suspected to be a member of a local “Akyat Bahay” gang that enters houses of prominent families at midnight or in the wee hours of the morning, was arrested after burglarizing the house of the general manager of the Malolos City Water District in Barangay Look here last Friday.
Supt. David N. Poklay, city police chief, identified the arrested suspect as Arvin Mayol, 21, single, jobless, a native of Cebu City, and presently residing in Pinyahan Street, Barangay Look 1st in this city.
Poklay said that at around 6 a.m. Friday, victim Nicasio Reyes, 58, general manager of Malolos City Water District and a resident of Barangay Look 1st here reported a case of robbery that transpired at his residence.
Police investigators said that the suspect gained entry to the victim’s house by destroying the glass window on the third floor.
Once inside, the suspects took a laptop computer, four cellular phones, four wristwatches, assorted set of jewelries, grocery items; and other valuables.
A follow-up investigation conducted by the elements of Malolos City Police Station led to the identification of the suspect.
Subsequently, the suspect was apprehended and the stolen items were all recovered.
The arrested suspect is presently under the custody of Malolos City Police Station while a criminal complaint against him is being prepared for filing in court.(PNA)
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SMB donates P2M for rehab of Angat Bridge
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 19 (PNA) --Bridging lives.
San Miguel Brewery (SMB), the country’s number one beer maker, has donated P2 million for the rehabilitation of the decades-old Angat bridge and eco-tourism project of the municipal government of Angat town.
SMB President Roberto N. Huang personally handed the P2 millon check to Angat Mayor Gilberto Santos at the office of Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado Friday afternoon.
Huang said that the donation was part of SMB’s commitment to help save the environment under its nationwide “Buhayin ang Kalikasan” environmental program.
The bridge links the poblacion to the vegetable farms along the Angat river where Huang and SMB’s “green army” planted 5,000 bamboo cultivars and mahogany saplings at the riverbank in Barangay Laog last year.
The site was previously devastated by rampant quarrying of gravel and sands in past years.
The site was later abandoned after Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado stopped all illegal quarrying operations in the area when he assumed post as the province’s chief executive on 2010.
It is now being developed into an eco-water park.
The bridge also links Angat to the mountain town of Dona Remedios Trinidad and the nearby municipality of San Rafael.
“The rehabilitation of the bridge will definitely brings more development in the area and will help boost the agriculture and eco-tourism program of the local government,” Huang said.
Sy-Alvarado said that the provincial government would also donate P1 million while the municipal government of Angat add another P1 million for the project.
There is a need to rehabilitate and repair the bridges and roads, especially in the part of Angat, which is now being developed into eco-water park, the governor, who witnessed the handing over of the check, together with Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Rustico “Teddy” de Belen; Enrico Reyes, SMB national human resource manager; Emilie Anne Dumalag, SMB business affairs and communications unit manager and Francis Sison, communication officer of SMB San Fernando, Pampanga Brewery.
Santos said the people of Angat was very grateful to San Miguel Brewery and the provincial government for their support in the rehabilitation of the Angat bridge. (PNA)
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Brigada Eskwela, campaign vs dengue to be launched in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 18 (PNA) -- The provincial government will launch “Sa Iskul, Ligtas ako sa Dengue: Provincial Anti-Dengue Spraying,” to protect children in schools against the viral disease.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the initiative is also in concurrence with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) launching of Brigada Eskwela 2012, also known as National Schools Maintenance Week, on May 21-26.
The governor said the provincial government has already started the anti-dengue spraying in April.
"We cannot go to all 457 elementary public schools and 80 high schools in the province. That's why we started the anti-dengue spraying last April so that we can finish it before the school year opens," he said.
According to DepEd, clean comfort rooms are their priority for this year.
Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro also emphasized in one of his interviews that personal hygiene and sanitation among students will help increase their self-esteem.
Dr. Jocelyn Gomez, provincial public health officer, said that coinciding with the Brigada Eskwela launching is the ceremonial dengue spraying at exactly 7 a.m. in Balagtas Central School.
Currently, the spraying team of the provincial government has already reached half of the target schools under the program. (PNA)
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Bulacan celebrates 'Kneeling Carabao Festival'
PULILAN, Bulacan, May 15 (PNA) -- Hundreds of farmers, together with their kneeling carabaos, participated on Monday in the annual Carabao Festival in this town.
Mayor Vicente Esguerra Sr. said the annual festivity is being celebrated in honor of their patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, a farmer.
"This is a thanksgiving activity in honor of San Isidro Labrador for a bountiful harvest in the past year. You can see the carabaos kneeling in front of the church. This is an annual tradition which attracts local and foreign tourists. Thus, we are so proud with our rich historical culture," Esguerra said.
Teresita Tetangco, municipal information officer, said that aside from 700 carabaos with colorful paints, more than 40 floats featured in this year’s celebration.
Other highlight of the festival include the parade of symbolic floats that featured the province’s agriculture and aquaculture products.
"This is indeed a much-awaited festival not only for the local residents in Bulacan but also to the tourists. That’s why we are intensifying the promotion of tourism in the province that would help boost our local economy," Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado.
The event was also made possible with the help of Central Luzon designers group and Bulacan State University artist students who designed and decorated the carabaos and floats in the festival. (PNA)
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Murder raps filed vs Ryan Dominguez, et al
By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, May 15 (PNA) - Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Sr. Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr., on Tuesday said that murder charges have been filed against Ryan Dominguez, Mark Mario Lakambakal, and James Jimenez in connection with the brutal murder of witness Alfred Mendiola and two other individuals last May 6.
Ryan is the younger brother of convicted car thieves brothers Raymond and Roger Dominguez, who were also accused of killing car trader Emerson Lozano in January 2011.
Cerbo said that charges have been formally filed before the Department of Justice around 7:40 p.m. Monday.
Cerbo said that criminal raps have been filed against the suspects after ballistic tests on the .45 caliber slugs recovered from the body of Eriberto Jumaquio matched the weapons recovered from the two's possession in Malolos, Bulacan last May 8.
Jumaquio, Mark Herrera and Mendiola were found hogtied and shot in the head with a .45 caliber pistol at Barangay Salawag, Dasmarinas, Cavite last May 6.
Aside from murder, the suspects are also facing criminal charges for illegal possession of two cal.45 pistols, two M16 rifles and two handgrenadesl dangerous drug use and possession of about 5.714 grams and 5.23 grams of shabu; car theft; and violation of Anti Fencing Law. (PNA)
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Pagdilao to CIDG: Solve quickly killing of Bulacan agent
MANILA, May 14 (PNA) - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Director Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. has directed its Central Luzon unit to immediately solve the killing of a CIDG member in Bulacan.
The agent was gunned down by motorcycle-riding suspects inside a subdivision in San Rafael town last May 13.
Pagdilao said PO3 Rafael Bartolome, 46, of Lumang Bayan, Plaridel, and a member of Bulacan CIDG, was shot dead by two unidentified suspects on board a motorcycle in Lapid’s Ville Subdivision, Barangay Tambubong, San Rafael town.
Pagdilao directed Region 3 CIDG chief, Sr. Supt. Rudy Lacadin and Bulacan CIDG head Chief Insp. Monico Cadayona to immediately identify gun-for-hire groups based in Central Luzon with emphasis on armed riding tandems who may be behind the killing of Bartolome.
He also ordered the CIDG in Region 3 to mobilize their community volunteers, the Community Investigative Support to help in gathering more information and possible witnesses and evidence that will link the suspects to the killing of Bartolome.
Initial investigation disclosed Bartolome sustained multiple gunshot wounds from a caliber .45 pistol.
Prior to his killing, Bartolome visited the house of a certain Marife De Vera in Lapid’s Ville Subdivision where he had early dinner with the latter.
Reports also said that while eating, the victim received a phone call and afterwards hurriedly left, boarded his owner-type jeep and promised De Vera to return for the interrupted dinner.
Witnesses disclosed that when the victim’s owner type jeep reached the main gate of the subdivision, he alighted from his vehicle.
At that instance the suspects, on board a motorcycle, shot Bartolome twice in the head. (PNA)
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PNP links Ryan Dominguez, three companions for killing Mendiola, two others
By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, May 11 (PNA) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said that more evidences have been uncovered to implicate Ryan Dominguez and his companions in the brutal murder of witness Alfred Mendiola and his two companions, whose bodies were found in Barangay Salawag, Dasmarinas City, Cavite last May 6.
PNP spokesperson Sr. Supt. Generoso Cerbo, Jr. said the spent shells found at the crime scene in Cavite matched the groove of the two .45 caliber pistols recovered from Dominguez and James Jimenez during a raid in Bulacan.
Forensic investigators also found that the two cal.45 slugs extracted from the body of Eriberto Jumaquio, one of the two companions of Mendiola, also matched the two .45 cal. pistols recovered from Dominguez and Jimenez.
Upon their arrest for weapons and drug possession, suspects Dominguez, Jimenez, Roy Blanco and Mark Mario Lakambakal were all tested positive for drug use.
Cerbo said that the four suspects were now facing criminal charges for illegal possession of two cal.45 pistols, two M16 rifles and two hand grenades; drug use; and illegal possession of about 5.714 grams and 5.23 grams of shabu; and car theft for stealing Toyota Innova (ZCJ-171), and violation of PD 1612 (Anti-Fencing Law).
Because of the physical evidence linking the suspects to the killing of Mendiola, Herrerra and Jumaquio, investigators are also preparing to charged the suspects with multiple murder. (PNA)
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Two robbers killed in Bulacan clash
BOCAUE, Bulacan, May 10 (PNA) -- Two suspected members of a robbery holdup gang were killed after trading shots with lawmen in Barangay Batia here Wednesday afternoon.
Supt. Diosdado Iniego, Bocaue police chief, said suspects have earlier robbed Joel del Rosario, 23, a collection agent of Lending 5 Incorporated, married, a resident of Block 25 Lot 8, North Ville 5, Barangay Batia here.
Iniego said the victim was on board his service motorcycle, a gray Honda Wave bearing plate number 7140 PA, collecting money from his clients when two unidentified men armed with a shotgun and a caliber .38 revolver approached him and at gun point declared the hold up.
He said the suspects then took a black and gray bag containing the money that the victim had collected and his service motorcycle.
The suspects then fled going towards the direction of Purok 4, Rodriguez Street in Barangay Batia.
A surveillance team of the Provincial Intelligence Branch headed by Supt. Edwin Quilates, who were incidentally in the area to conduct monitoring of criminal groups operating in the municipalities of Marilao and Bocaue, was informed about the incident by the Bocaue police station.
Likewise, the descriptions of the suspects and their vehicles as provided by the victim, were relayed to the surveillance team members.
Quilates said that while the members of the surveillance team were traversing the rough road portion of Rodriguez Street of Barangay Batia, they spotted a motorcycle with two men on board.
As the said motorcycle matched the description provided to them, they flagged it down but the driver suddenly stopped after they (driver and back ride) got off, drew their guns and opened fire.
In the ensuing brief exchange of gun fires, the two armed men sustained gunshot wounds in the different parts of their bodies which resulted to their instantaneous death.
Police recovered a shotgun, one caliber .38 revolver, one motorcycle Honda Wave bearing plate no. 7140 PA, which was believed to be the one taken from the robbery victim, one bag containing more or less P24,000 and assorted documents of the victim.
A follow-up investigation is being conducted by this office for the possible identification of two dead suspects. (PNA)
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Several carnapped motorcycles recovered in Bulacan
STA. MARIA, Bulacan, May 10 (PNA) -- Several suspected carnapped motorcycles were recovered on Wednesday in San Jose Del Monte City in a follow-up operation conducted by local police after one of three suspects was arrested in a check point Tuesday dawn here.
Bulacan police director Sr. Supt. Fernando Mendez Jr. identified the suspect as Christian Marie Alzona, 23, single, tricycle driver and a resident of Block 59, Lot 15, Area 1, Sto. Nino, Sapang Palay, San Jose Del Monte City.
Mendez said that Alzona, together with two other suspects, on board two motorcycles on Tuesday tried to evade a police checkpoint in Barangay Balasing here forcing the lawmen to chase them.
Alzona was arrested after he met an accident while his two cohorts managed to escape. They were identified as Christian Gandia, 32, and Bryan Quinones, 26, both residents of Sapang Palay, San Jose Del Monte City.
Sta. Maria police chief Superintendent Lailani Amparo said Alzona, during an interrogation, admitted that they were responsible for a series of carnapping in the province and revealed the whereabouts of the syndicate's hideout.
Alzona accompanied the Santa Maria police operatives in their hideout in San Jose del Monte City and recovered several motorcycles that include a black Yamaha Mio without license plate number with engine number 1CV-031813 and chassis number PA01CV000B0031942; a black Honda Tmx 150 without license plate with engine number KB509E226424 and chassis number KB509226420; a Yamaha Mio skeleton type with license plate MU-4517 with engine number 5TL-228692 and chassis number MH35TL0036K228678; a blue Yamaha Nouvo without license plate number with engine number 4P3-002948 and chassis number MH34P30015K002971; and a red Rusi motorcycle with license plate 3940XJ and engine number GME150TC88901300.
Julius Guevarra, 30, a resident of Sitio Malawak, Barangay Guyong in Santa Maria town was able to identify his missing Yamaha Mio that was recovered from the suspects’ hideout.
The arrested suspect and the recovered pieces of evidence were placed under the custody of the Santa Maria police station as appropriate criminal complaints were being readied against him. (PNA)
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Bulacan to hold bloodletting activity
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 10 (PNA) – The provincial government is seeking the cooperation of all Bulakenyos to participate in the yearly blood donation, dubbed as "Dugong Alay ng Bulakenyo" on May 14 at the Bulacan capitol gymnasium here.
The activity will be spearheaded by Vice Governor Daniel Fernando.
Fernando said the activity also serves as an encouragement to relive the spirit of volunteerism through blood donation.
He also said the program aims to collect bags of blood to be deposited at the Bulacan Provincial Blood Center (BPBC) but will be utilized by the Bulacan Medical Center to address the need for blood of Bulakenyos.
"This is the second time that we will be conducting such activity. Aside from the capitol employees, we are encouraging everyone to donate blood. The more we get more blood, the more people we could help," the vice governor said. (PNA)
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Bulacan cops seized drugs, high-powered guns in dope den raid
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 9 (PNA) -- Police operatives swooped down a suspected dope den and arrested four men while allegedly having a pot session and seized high powered guns, ammunitions and prohibited drugs in Barangay Caingin here Tuesday morning.
Supt. David N. Poklay, city police chief, identified the arrested suspects as Ryan Dominguez, 20, single, resident of Iba O’ Este, Calumpit town; Mark Mario Lacambakal, 21, single, a native of Iba O’ Este, Calumpit town and is presently residing at No. 1471 A. Mariano Street, Pateros; James Jimenez, 37, a native of General Santos City, presently residing at Imelda Street, Novaliches, Quezon City; and Roy Blanco, 27, driver, a native of Cagayan De Oro City and presently residing at FB De Jesus Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City.
Poklay said that a concerned citizen called the Malolos police station and reported that a group of armed men were seen having a pot session inside a house in Barangay Caingin here.
He said that joint operatives of the Malolos Police Station, the Provincial Intelligence Branch headed by Supt. Edwin Quillates and the Bulacan Highway Patrol Team led by Chief Inspector Noel Nunez conducted and stakeout operation and raided the place.
The suspects were surprised and did not resist arrest despite having high powered firearms and ammunitions, including hand grenades, Poklay said.
Police recovered one baby armalite (M16) rifle Colt AR15 with Serial number RP157568; one baby armalite (M16) rifle with defaced Serial number; one caliber .45 pistol with Serial Number 300105; one Armscor caliber .45 pistol with Serial Number 25987; two magazines for caliber .45 pistol; 10 rounds of live ammunitions for caliber .45 pistol; three long magazines for caliber 5.56 rifle; three short magazines for caliber 5.56 rifle; 97 rounds of live ammunitions for caliber 5.56 rifle; two hand grenades; two pieces of plastic sachets containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride also known as “shabu;” dope paraphernalia; one unit of Nissan Navarra pick up; one unit of Toyota Innova; one unit of Subaru Impreza and assorted documents from the suspects.
The confiscated firearms were turned over to the Bulacan Provincial Crime Laboratory Office (BPCLO), Bulacan PPO for ballistics examination, macro etching and cross matching.
Poklay said the recovered vehicles were processed by a SOCO team while the personnel of Highway Patrol Team are now thoroughly checking the records of the impounded vehicles to determine if they were stolen.
The arrested suspects are presently under the custody of Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office for proper documentation while appropriate charges will be filed against them. (PNA)
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CIDG cross-matches items found on Mendiola's van
MANILA, May 9 (PNA) - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Wednesday said it has started conducting "cross matching" examinations on items recovered from a van rented by slain star witness Alfred Mendiola.
The "cross matching" include the packing tape and spent shell from .45 caliber pistols found on the floor of the Toyota Grandia (TBO-299), CIDG spokesperson Sr. Insp. Don Dixie De Dios said.
The vehicle was found abandoned on a vacant lot along Roxas Blvd. in front of RAF Mansion in Baclaran, Pasay Tuesday.
De Dios said the cross-matching hoped to recover at least fingerprints and forensic materials which could aid investigators in linking Mendiola's murder to the Dominguez car theft syndicate.
He said that the results of the exam would available within two days.
He also clarified that the arrest of Ryan Dominguez, the younger brother of Raymond and Roger, the kingpins of the crime group, had no connection with their investigation.
The CIDG spokesperson also said that Ryan was arrested after concerned individuals told the Malolos police that the latter was seen carrying high-powered firearms alongside with illegal drugs.
Initial reports said Dominguez was caught in a compound in Barangay San Agustin in Malolos City, Bulacan at about 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Dominguez, 20, was with Mark Lacambakal, 21; James Jimenez, 37; and Rey Blanco when he was arrested by lawmen.
Police are also verifying the ownership of the three vehicles found inside the compound, among them a Nissan Navarra (CSJ-33), a black Subaru (ZNX-628) and a Toyota Innova (ZCJ-171). (PNA)
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Two suspected robbers killed in Bulacan encounter with police
MANILA, May 9 (PNA) - Two suspected robbers were shot dead by members of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office following an encounter in Purok 4, Rodriquez St., Barangay Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan Wednesday afternoon.
Recovered from the scene were one 12-gauge shotgun, one .38 caliber revolver, and the suspects' Honda Wave (125-MC) motorcycle.
Initial investigations showed that the suspects refused to halt at police checkpoint that triggered a car chase.
When the suspects were cornered, a brief firefight ensued resulting in the death of the two suspects whom police were still trying to identify as of press time Wednesday. (PNA)
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Illegally cut logs seized in Bulacan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan, May 8 (PNA) -- Some 72 pieces of illegally cut logs were seized by joint operatives of the anti-illegal task force of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Provincial Environment Protection Task Force at the compound of a hardware and sash factory along Quirino Highway in Barangay Gumaok here Monday afternoon.
A report reaching the office of Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the illegally cut logs, measuring 10 feet long with a thickness of four inches and width of seven to 10 inches, were being unloaded at the compound of Sureluck Wood Enterprise at around 3 p.m. Monday.
Bro. Martin Francisco, chairman of the Sagip Sierra Madre Environment Society (SSMES), said when the government team arrived at the hardware, the men unloading the logs from a truck (with plate number CSL 394) scurried away.
A couple, believed to be the owners, told the DENR team that they did not know that the lumbers were illegally cut.
The lumbers were believed to have come from the watershed areas of General Tinio in Nueva Ecija.
Francisco said unabated illegal logging has denuded huge parts of the rain forest along the watershed areas of Angat and Ipo dams. (PNA)
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CIDG now conducting backtracking investigation on Alfred Mendiola slay case
MANILA, May 8 (PNA) - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)announced that it is conducting backtracking investigations on the recent activities of witness Alfred Mendiola who was found dead with two other men at Barangay Salawag, Dasmarinas City, Cavite Sunday morning.
CIDG acting chief Senior Supt. Federico Castro, who is the unit's deputy director for operations, said they are now doing this in order to ascertain the motive behind the killing.
Mendiola, also known as Allan Torres and “Bading”, is one of the members of the Dominguez carjacking group and the star witness in the Venzon Evangelista carnapping and murder cases against a carnapping syndicate led by the Dominguez brothers.
Also found dead besides Mendiola were Eriberto Jumaquio, 53, of Sta Isabel, Malolos, Bulacan, and Mark Angelo Heredia, 27, 500 Rizal St., Paltao, Pulilan, Bulacan.
Jumaquio is the driver of the Toyota Grandia (TBO 299) that Heredia had contracted for Mendiola before they were killed.
The said vehicle was recovered by police this morning in Paranaque area.
Region 4A CIDG chief Senior Supt. Bernabe Balba said that they are looking into vengeance on his testimony against brothers Raymond and Roger Dominguez as one of the possible motives and that the killing may have been motivated to silence him from further testifying in court.
Balba said that they are still investigating if the two other victims were just collateral damage.
Backtracking investigation disclosed that Jumaquio was contacted by Herrera through a certain Fernando “Bong” Oreta last May 2 to pick up Mendiola who at that time was in Hermosa, Bataan.
Jumaquio was last contacted by his family on May 5, around 7pm.
Cavite CIDG head Chief Insp. Marlon Santos said that statements taken from Oreta disclosed that he picked up Mendiola, along Herrera and others last April 29, in Calumpit, Bulacan and they went to Palm Garden Resort in Malolos City.
Mendiola’s group checked out of the said resort around noontime of April 30 and then went to Peninsula Resort in Orani, Bataan where they stayed until May 2.
In the afternoon of May 2, the group proceeded to Hermosa, Bataan to attend a fiesta. It was at this time that Oreta contracted the service of Jumaquio.
The CIDG is still looking for more witnesses that may shed light on the circumstances that led to their supposed abduction and the eventual killing of the three victims in Cavite. (PNA)
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Vehicle of Mendiola’s killers recovered
MANILA, May 8 (PNA) -- A vehicle that was allegedly used by the killers of Alfred Mendiola, a key witness in the case against the Dominguez carjacking gang, was recovered on Tuesday in Baclaran, Pasay City, authorities said.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director Chief Superintendent Benito Estipona said police recovered the Toyota Grandia (TBO-299) was on a vacant lot along Roxas Blvd. in front of RAF Mansion in Baclaran, Pasay.
Estipona added that shells of a cal-.45 pistol and packaging tape were found inside the van.
The said van is registered under the name of a certain Rommel Dela Cruz of Seamans St., Sitio Silangan, Look 2nd Malolos, Bulacan.
Police are inspecting the van for possible additional clues that could help them reconstruct what led to Mendiola's death.
Last Sunday morning, Mendiola was found dead, bound, and gagged together with two other men in Sta. Lucia proper, Brgy. Salawag, Dasmarinas City in Cavite.
Mendiola turned state witness against brothers Raymond and Roger Dominguez, leaders of a ruthless carjacking gang linked to the killing of car dealer Venson Evangelista last year. (PNA)
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Bulacan passes pioneering anti-bullying ordinance
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 2 (PNA) –- Alarming incidents of harassment and bullying by students in schools in the province has prompted the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pass a pioneering ordinance to address the matter.
The timely measure is known as an “Ordinance Restricting the Prevalence of Harassment and Finger-pointing or ‘Bullying’ and the like in all Schools, either Private or Public, in the Province of Bulacan” as stated under Panlalawigang Kautusan Blg. 2012-06.
A provincial council called “Panlalawigang Konseho sa Pagsasawata sa Bullying” was created to formulate plans and policies, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the said ordinance.
The council is headed by Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado with Bulacan mayors' league president Mayor Donato Marcos of Paombong and representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd), president of the Provincial League of Barangay Chairmen, BULPRISA, private organizations, religious groups, and PAGE (Philippine Association of Graduate Education) Bulacan chapter as members.
Bullying, is defined as “any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture to put someone in reasonable fear.” It has different forms such as harassment or provocation or the use of foul language, name calling, tormenting or even commenting negatively on someone’s looks, clothes and body, punching, pushing, shoving, kicking, slapping or doing pranks and teasing. It also includes "cyber-bullying" which utilizes technology and electronic services such as mobile phones, computers, internet, and social networking websites.
According to studies, seven out of 10 students are becoming victims of bullying which is found prevalent in the primary and elementary levels. Its negative effect such as fear to classmates and decrease in mental capacity/ ability make it impossible for children being bullied to succeed in academic achievements or studies.
Any school in the province or its officials (principal, administrator, owner or president of private schools), that will defy the provision of the said ordinance will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 and six months of imprisonment.
The Provincial Ordinance was authored by Board Member Therese Cheryll Ople of the First District of Bulacan, and Board Member Mark Jerome Anthony Santiago, the Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation president. (PNA)
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Two car thieves killed in Bulacan clash
PLARIDEL, Bulacan, April 24 (PNA) - Two suspected motorcycle thieves were killed in a running gun battle with lawmen in Barangay Bagong Silang here early Tuesday morning.
Police said the two slain suspects remain unidentified.
Supt. Julius Ceasar Domingo, town police chief, said that Ernesto So On Jr., 36, married, helper, and a resident of Barangay Parulan here, reported at the Plaridel police station that he was a victim of thieves along the Cagayan Valley Road in Barangay Tabang here.
According to the victim, he was on board his red Yamaha Sniper motorcycle (with plate number 3718-TC) at about 12:20 a.m. when he was blocked by two armed men on board a skeleton type motorcycle (without plate number).
He said the suspects got off their motorcycle and at gunpoint forcibly took his motorcycle before speeding off.
The victim described the driver as medium built and was wearing white long sleeved upper garment and dark short pants while the back rider was wearing a white t-shirt and short pants.
Domingo said a mobile team was dispatched and conducted a follow-up operation accompanied by the victim. Likewise, a flash alarm was relayed to adjacent police stations for the possible apprehension of the suspects.
At about 2 a.m., the police team and the victim chanced upon the two suspects still on board the two motorcycles at Sitio Bagong Sikat, Barangay Tabang.
Noticing the approaching lawmen, the suspects tried to flee by speeding off and opened fire.
Upon reaching Barangay Bagong Silang, the suspects’ motorcycles skidded, forcing them to escape on foot.
The ensuing brief exchanges of gun fires resulted in the killing of the two suspects.
Recovered were the stolen Yamaha Sniper motorcycle; a skeleton type motorcycle without plate number; one caliber .38 Squires Bingham revolver with serial number 955351; and one caliber .38 home-made revolver without serial number.
The cadavers of the two unidentified suspects were brought to the Blue Cross Funeral Parlor in Malolos City for an autopsy. (PNA)
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Trash drive highlights Earth Day celebration in Baliwag, Bulacan
BALIWAG, Bulacan, April 23 (PNA) - Reuse, reduce, recycle!
This, in a nutshell, was how residents of this booming town celebrated Earth Day on Sunday.
With sacks of plastic bottles and mountains of newspapers in tow, Bulakenyos showed how simple caring for the environment is as they brought their household junks during SM City Baliwag’s “Earth Day Trash to Cash Recycling Market”.
Beverly B. Cruz, public relations officer of SM City-Baliwag, said that almost 500 kilos of accumulated scrap materials, including cartons, papers, soft drink cans, plastic cups and bottles were collected from the Earth Day trash drive last April 20.
A large volume of plastic bottles and paper recyclables was donated by the Montessori School of Malolos in Bulacan.
Cruz said that aside from individuals, the mall is currently collaborating with local academic institutions as well as other business establishments to regularly drop by the waste market and help in the community’s waste management.
She added that the SM Trash to Cash Recycling Market happens every 1st Friday and Saturday of the month in all SM Supermall branches nationwide. (PNA)
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Unabated mining endangers Angat Dam—Sagip Sierra Madre Environment Society
NORZAGARAY, Bulacan, April 19 (PNA) - Aside from sitting on an earthquake fault line, the structural integrity of the 44-year-old Angat dam is also being endangered by massive mining activities along the mountains of eastern Bulacan, an environmental watchdog disclosed on Thursday.
The Sagip Sierra Madre Environment Society (SSMES) said the Dumagat tribersmen and some residents in far flung mountain villages of nearby Dona Remedios Trinidad are alarmed by the blasting and quarrying of limestone in the mountains, particularly those being heard near the Angat dam.
Bro. Martin Francisco, chairman of SSMES, said that residents and Dumagat tribesmen have also reported the sightings of fissures along the watershed area of Angat dam.
Earlier, some Dumagat tribesmen living at Mount Inuman also showed Francisco and ABS-CBN reporter Julius Babao some fissures or cracks in the mountains which they said is getting bigger and deeper.
He said the Dumagat tribesmen are apprehensive that the cracks might trigger landslides that could wipe-out communities in the areas which could also compromise the structural integrity of the 44 year old Angat dam and nearby Ipo dam, since the country is now experiencing earthquakes.
Francisco also told to Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado that many parts of the Angat and Ipo dams watershed have already been severely denuded.
These dams are nestled along the Marikina west valley fault line, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Siesmology, he added.
Francisco’s revelation came a week after dam experts conducting safety study on the structural integrity of Angat dam recommended the immediate rehabilitation of the 44-year-old dam and its dike after it was found sitting on an earthquake fault line.
Based on the draft final report submitted by John Grimston, Tonkin and Taylor International, the group commissioned by the government to conduct study on the structural integrity of Angat dam in coordination with concerned government line- agencies, it was learned that during construction of Angat dam, a series of fault traces were identified in the foundation of the main dike.
The dam experts said that these faults were understood to have been traced for a distance of approximately 15 kilometer (km) upstream of the dike.
Earlier, the Phivolcs commenced a site-specific seismic hazard assessment for Angat Dam in 2002, but this work was not completed. The report of NGI (2002) summarizes preliminary conclusions presented verbally by the Phivolcs team.
Their opinion was that the Western Marikina Valley Fault (WMVF) should be considered active, and that rupture of the main fault could trigger movement on the splay beneath the dike of approximately 1 – 2 meter horizontal and 0.5 m vertical.
According to the experts, an earthquake on the WMVF could therefore trigger movement on the splay of fault.
Trace mapping undertaken by Phivolcs suggests that the WMVF runs several kilometers to the east of Angat Dam, and that the fault present beneath the dike.
Francisco said that aside from sitting on an earthquake fault line, the unabated mining operations near the Angat dam could also compromise the structural integrity of the dam.
It was almost an entire mountain that vanished when they were mining limestone or marble. The mountain that they destroyed could no longer be brought back and there is a big possibility that it would affect the dam, he said, adding that those mountains that have vanished were natural defense not only for Angat dam but also for the province since they are considered as natural barriers against strong typhoons.
He urged the national government to totally ban mining operations along the mountains near Angat dam and Ipo dam. (PNA)
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Most wanted person in Bulacan arrested in Ilocos Norte
BATAC CITY, April 18 (PNA) - The most wanted person in Bulacan province was arrested in a police entrapment operation in Barangay Nagpatayan, Batac City, it was learned here Wednesday.
Inspector Jeffrey Taccad, chief of police of Banna town, identified the arrested wanted person as Jayson de Jesus, a native of Camarines Sur but residing in Del Monte, Bulacan.
Taccad said that the suspect was arrested through close coordination between and among police units of Police Regional Office in Region 3 and the Ilocos Norte police provincial office.
It was reported that the suspect is facing a murder case in San Jose, Del Monte, Bulacan.
Taccad said that the suspect was immediately turned over to the Bulacan police office. (PNA)
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Bulacan to enforce provincial tricycle code
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, April 18 (PNA) --Police and local government units (LGUs) in this province will now strictly implement the “No TODA, No Franchise” policy.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado recently signed and approved Provincial Ordinance No. 2012-01 also known as ”Tricycle Code of Bulacan” which aims to improve the plight of the tricycle drivers in the province.
Alvarado said that this ordinance will also solve the perennial problem of colorum tricycles and foster province-wide unity and cooperation among tricycle operators and drivers in the province.
Through the Tricycle Code of Bulacan, there will only be one ordinance that would be the basis of every town o city in the implementation of law on tricycle. It will also solve the traffic problem brought by some colorum tricycle, the governor said.
The ordinance was authored by board members Enrique Dela Cruz Jr., Therese Cheryll Ople and Felix Ople and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando, and was approved on February 7, 2012.
As stated in the ordinance, all tricycles and pedicabs must secure a franchise or permit to operate issued by the city/municipal authority, and must be members of any accredited Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA), otherwise, they will be considered as colorum and would be illegal for them to operate.
Fernando said that the Tricycle Code will cover all motorized and non-motorized three-wheeled vehicles such as tricycles and pedicabs, either private or public plying around the province.
The vice governor said that the ordinance also covered the prescription of fare by the tricycle and pedicab, the discounts for students and senior citizens and the franchise moratorium.
He added that any violation of the provisions of the Bulacan Tricycle Code shall be punished with fines of not less than P5,000 and imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months upon the discretion of the court. (PNA)
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Bulacan 'carnap king' meted 17 to 30 years of prison term
By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, April 17 (PNA) — It's the end of the road for Raymond Dominguez, who is touted as the “carnap king” of Bulacan.
A Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge on Tuesday sentenced Dominguez and meted 17 to 30 years of imprisonment, his first conviction on more than 10 other similar cases filed and pending in different courts in Bulacan, Pampanga and Metro Manila.
Bulacan RTC Branch 84 Judge Wilfredo Nieves found Dominguez guilty of the complaint of carjacking filed by Dante Escoto, a driver of Crocodile Tape and Co. Inc. who claimed that the convicted leader of the dreaded Dominguez carnapping group, along with two other unidentified suspects, forcibly took from him a black Toyota Fortuner with plate number ZGW-872 on Jan. 14, 2010.
In an 11-page decision promulgated on Tuesday, the court stated that the snatching of the Toyota Fortuner happened in broad daylight in front of the Pot of Gold store along the Mac-Arthur Highway in Barangay Saog in Marilao town.
Escoto parked the vehicle and was inquiring at a car store for the replacement of the matting of his service vehicle when Dominguez and his two cohorts arrived and approached the subject Fortuner.
Record shows Dominguez held Escoto on his collar and guarded him while one of his two companions drove and made a reverse move of the Fortuner.
When the vehicle was ready to move forward, Dominguez pushed Escoto away and later boarded the vehicle which sped off toward Meycauayan City.
Faustino Casilang, 64, a store owner who witnessed the incident, testified in court against Dominguez. He positively identified Dominguez through a police rouge gallery presented by policemen in Marilao.
Judge Nieves gave weight on Casilang’s testimony and the Marilao police's presentation of the pictures of carnapping suspects as the basis of his decision.
“Irrefutably, the Court is persuaded that the prosecution has sufficiently established that the subject carnapping incident of the Toyota Corolla Fortuner with plate no. ZGW-872 on the date and place cited above indeed occurred in broad day light and in the presence of several persons, among whom is Casilang. It was likewise clearly established by prosecution evidence that Escoto was the driver of the Fortuner when it was forcibly taken from him”.
“No proof was elicited by the defense that Casingal was motivated by evil motive or malicious intention to unduly implicate Dominguez as one of the perpetrators of the subject carnapping in order to show that the former is a biased and an unreliable witness”.
Nieves said the defense failed to present evidence to prove Dominguez's claims that he was nowhere in Bulacan during the incident as he would not stay in the province because he is facing other cases in other places, including Metro Manila.
The RTC judge, however, dismissed the robbery charges against Dominguez in the said incident. Escoto complained that the carjacking leader, along with his two companions, also took away a laptop, wrist watch, gold bracelet, necklace and P4,000 cash.
Atty. Jose Cruz, Dominguez's lawyer, said the decision came as a surprise to them but they have to respect how the court analyzed the presented testimonies and evidence.
Cruz said an earlier case of carnapping with homicide at Branch 11 of the Bulacan RTC, as well as illegal possession of firearms also against Dominguez were already dismissed.
He told reporters they will elevate the case before the Court of Appeals.
Cruz said they do not expect Dominguez to be moved in to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City because he has to attend the hearings of other carjacking cases filed against him including that of Venzon Evangelista, a car dealer who was allegedly victimized by the Dominguez group in January last year in Quezon City.
The case is being heard in a court in Quezon City. (PNA)
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Search for outstanding Bulakenyos is on
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, April 12 (PNA) –– The provincial government’s search for outstanding Bulakenyos known as ”Gawad Dangal ng Lipi” is now open and accepting nominations.
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the annual search will give recognition to today’s modern heroes and outstanding sons and daughters of the province who excel in their fields of expertise such as public service, professional, community service, entrepreneur, education, science and technology, arts and culture, trade and industry, health, agriculture, sports and Bulakenyo expatriate.
The Gawad Dangal ng Lipi will be one of the highlights on the upcoming celebration of Buwan ng Bulacan, popularly known as Singkaban Fiesta.
With this, the governor has encouraged all Bulakenyos to support the said event through submission of nominees from all the municipalities in the province.
Among the previous awardees were Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, former president Corazon Aquino, Virgilio Almario, Joey de Leon, Richard Gomez, Dolphy, Regine Velasquez, Cheche Lazaro, Arnold Clavio, Shirley Halili Cruz, and Arnel T. Papa.
The selection and conferment of the leading Bulakenyo started on 1974, known as the Natatanging Bulakenyo Award.
The Provincial Planning Development Office (PPDO), the awards secretariat, said nominations must be submitted on or before May 15 this year. (PNA)
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Cigarette butts can damage the environment
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, April 9 (PNA) - Smoking is dangerous not only to health but also to the environment.
AGHAM partylist Rep. Angelo B. Palmones disclosed to members of the Philippine Science Journalists Association-Bulacan Chapter that a study conducted by researchers of the San Diego State University found damaging effects of cigarette butts on marine life.
Palmones said researchers found that chemicals from one filtered cigarette butt can kill fish living in a one- liter bucket of water.
Another study by Clean Virginia Waterways showed that one cigarette butt in two gallons of water was lethal to water fleas, a tiny crustacean found in fresh water.
He said with these findings the Philippines’ waters could be in danger.
Palmones said the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported last year that 17.3 million Filipinos aged 15 years and above are smokers.
“In most public places, cigarette butts are the most littered item. Probably because most smokers are not aware of the effects to the environment of the butts they throw. It could also be the lack of waste bins,” Palmones added.
He said littered cigarette butts are dumped into streams and waterways when there is heavy rain and flood.
Palmones said studies showed that cigarette filters, the white cotton part called cellulose acetate, is filled with toxin and takes 18 months to 10 years to decompose.
Reports said approximately 4,000 chemicals are present in cigarettes which are breathed out and released in the atmosphere.
Palmones said the Philippine anti smoking law or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003 is focused mostly on the health of the public and clean air environment.
“We believe there is a need to revisit the law to address this issue of cigarettes now being considered toxic waste. Perhaps, there is a need to establish new ways on how the prevalent waste should be properly disposed to avoid further danger to our environment,” he added. (PNA)
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Car thief killed in Bulacan shootout
BALAGTAS, Bulacan, April 8 (PNA) -- Police killed a suspected member of a “Basag Kotse” gang during a shootout along the NIA road in Barangay Borol 2nd here Friday night.
The suspect was identified through his driver's license as Renato Diaz, 52, a resident of San Gabriel, Sta. Maria town.
Police said that at around 7:00 p.m. Friday, one Ronaldo Bayumbon, 43, married, a resident of Barangay Santol here, showed up at the Balagtas Police Station and asked for police assistance.
Bayumbon said his Toyota Corolla car with plate number TGS 463 which he parked near the Balagtas Municipal Building in Barangay Longos, was forcibly opened by an unidentified suspect by breaking its glass window (front passenger side) after which his black bag containing important documents was taken.
Immediately a police team boarded the patrol car together with the victim and chased the fleeing suspect who was on board a white and blue Yamaha X1 motorcycle bearing plate number OI 5805.
With the help of bystanders, the police team was able to get the direction of the suspect who was initially spotted along P. Castro Street in Barangay Borol 1st heading towards the direction of Barangay Borol 2nd.
Upon reaching Barangay Borol 2nd, the suspect turned right towards the direction of Barangay Dalig and headed towards the NIA Road.
Upon reaching the NIA road, the suspect who probably sensed that he was being chased, alighted from his motorcycle, drew a caliber .38 revolver and fired towards the direction of the pursuing PNP personnel, prompting them to retaliate hitting the suspect in the body and in the head that caused his instantaneous death.
A team from the Bulacan PNP Crime Laboratory Office SOCO processed the scene of the encounter and recovered one caliber 38 (homemade) revolver loaded with three live ammunition and two empty shells, one tea bag of dried marijuana leaves, the stolen black bag with marking GSIS and one Yamaha X1 motorcycle color white and blue bearing plate number OI 5805. (PNA)
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Experts recommend immediate rehab of Angat dam and dike
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, April 7 (PNA) --—Dam experts conducting safety study on the structural integrity of Angat dam has recommended the immediate rehabilitation of the 44-year old dam and its dike in Norzagaray town after it was found that it was sitting on an earthquake fault line.
The recommendation was made during a powerpoint presentation delivered by officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), headed by Administrator Gerardo A.I. Esquivel, in a recent meeting with provincial officials led by Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado at the provincial capitol here.
Dam officials maintain that the main dam and dike are generally in good order from visual inspection.
However, based on the draft final report submitted by John Grimston, Tonkin and Taylor International, the group commissioned by the government to conduct study on the structural integrity of Angat dam in coordination with concerned government line agencies, it was learned that during construction (of Angat dam), a series of fault traces were identified in the foundation of the main dike.
The dam experts said that these faults were understood to have been traced for a distance of approximately 15-kilometer upstream of the dike.
Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) commenced a site-specific seismic hazard assessment for Angat Dam in 2002, but this work was not completed. The report of NGI (2002) summarizes preliminary conclusions presented verbally by the Phivolcs team.
Their opinion was that the Western Marikina Valley Fault (WMVF) should be considered active, and that rupture of the main fault could trigger movement on the splay beneath the dike of approximately one to two meters horizontal and 0.5 meter vertical.
According to the experts, an earthquake on the Western Marikina Valley Fault could, therefore, trigger movement on the splay of fault trace mapping, undertaken by Phivolcs, suggests that the WMVF runs several kilometers to the east of Angat Dam, and that the fault is present beneath the dike.
On the dam break study, the Grimston, Tonkin and Taylor team submitted main findings and key conclusions, which are summarized as follows: ’the modelling indicates that the dam break flood wave will not only affect the areas near the Angat River, but spread and occupy vast areas well beyond the Angat River channel, and extend both upstream and downstream into the floodplain of the Pampanga River.’
The group also reported that about 20 cities/towns in Bulacan, 7 cities/towns in Pampanga and three cities/towns in Metro Manila would likely be affected by a dam/dike failure scenario.
The map shows that inundation levels can reach as high as 10-30 meters in some areas of Norzagaray, Bustos and Baliuag, Bulacan due to the initial flood wave resulting from breakage. It may reach as high as 5-10 meters in some areas of Pulilan, Plaridel all the way to Calumpit and Malolos City.
It is also estimated that three-five meter flooding will reach areas of Pampanga (due to the Bustos Dam failure) and the flood plain all the way to Metro Manila.
Governor Alvarado said that he would endorse the Phase 2 of the project (detailed design and remediation works)to be implemented at the earliest opportunity after the MWSS administrator informed him that the endorsement of the governor was earnestly needed because it was a requirement prior to the NEDA-ICC approval.
Esquivel also told Alvarado that “considering that the safety of the Angat dam and dike is indeed a national security concern, which needs to be addressed immediately, there is therefore the need to undertake remediation works at the earliest possible time.”
It can be recalled that Alvarado has called the attention of the national government to conduct an immediate study on the structural integrity of Angat dam shortly after he assumed post as governor on 2010.
Alvarado has also proposed the dredging of the dam’s reservoir stating that water holding capacity of the 44 year old dam has been compromised by the heavy silt it accumulated in more than four decades.
Liz Mungcal, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, said that the provincial government of Bulacan, in coordination with line agencies, are now mapping out emergency action plans as part of the contingency measures on the remediation works at Angat dam and its dike. (PNA)
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Slippery burglar in Bulacan falls
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, April 3 (PNA)--Police arrested one of two suspected burglars who robbed two residents in Domsal Subdivision, Barangay Bulihan here on Monday.
Superintendent David N. Poklay, city police chief, identified the arrested suspect as Antonio Alido , 21, jobless, a resident of Barangay San Pedro, Hagonoy town. His cohort is still unidentified.
One of the victims was identified as Nino Ignacio, 33, teacher and a resident of said village.
The victim told investigators that he saw the suspects forcibly enter his house and once inside, they took one unit of Samsung Corby cell phone worth P5,500 and cash amounting to P2,600 after which they (suspects) escaped.
At this juncture, the victim immediately sought the assistance of the personnel of Malolos City police station who conducted an operation that resulted in Alido's arrest.
Poklay said that further investigation showed that at around 3 p.m. of the same day, the suspects also robbed the house of Edith Bautista, a resident of the same subdivision.
The suspects allegedly took the following items: one Nokia 8800 cellular phone worth P66,000; three gold necklaces worth P30,000; two pieces of gold bracelet worth P8,000.; one bangle worth P750,000; three wrist watches worth P16,000; make-up kit worth P3,000; six pairs of gold earrings worth P9,000; and US$ 800; 200 euros, Australian $ 120 and 500 Indian currency.
The arrested suspect is presently detained at the Malolos City Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP) while appropriate criminal complaint is being prepared against him and his cohort (at large) for filing in court. (PNA)
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SCAN-Pampanga chapter establishes traffic assistance centers
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, April 3 (PNA) -- The Society of Communicators’ and Networkers (SCAN) Pampanga chapter established traffic assistance centers in different entry and exit points in the province to help both private and public motorists for a week-long Holy Week observance.
SCAN is an amateur ham radio group that aims to provide alternative source of information through two radios handled by its members nationwide, particularly in Pampanga.
Daniel “Dan” Ombina, SCAN president in Candaba town, said that at least 10 traffic assistance centers were established all throughout the province.
This activity in being conducted in close coordination with the local police in the different towns in the province.
Ombina said that SCAN has organized several medical groups composed of doctors, nurses and other health related professionals to provide medical attention for motorists needing it.
The traffic assistance centers were established in Arayat, Apalit, San Simon, Mabalacat, Magalang, Lubao, Mexico, City of San Fernando and Angeles City.
It can be recalled that as broadcast in national television, the SCAN during typhoon “Pedring” was the first to conduct rescue operations when the residents in a town in Bulacan were surprised by floodwaters. (PNA)
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Bulacan bans use of plastic bags
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 31 (PN) --—The provincial government has banned the use and sale of plastic bags in Bulacan.
Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado recently signed an ordinance which prohibits non-biodegradable plastic bags, styroform and other kinds used as packaging materials in the 21 towns and three cities of Bulacan.
Under the measure, passed by the Sanguniang Panglalawigan early this week, violators will face a P5,000 fine and one year imprisonment.
Alvarado said the ordinance will be immediately enforced after the implementing rules and regulations are issued.
The ordinance was passed six months after Alvarado wrote the provincial board to create a provincial ordinance banning the use and sale of plastic bags in the markets.
The governor added the ordinance will be implemented in the 569 barangays of Bulacan.
Study shows that plastic bags and other plastic products aggravate flooding in many areas.
It is also prohibited to burn plastic materials under the Clean Air Act.
The SM Supermalls in the towns of Baliuag and Marilao are already implementing the “no plastic“ policy and has totally banned the use of plastic bags in their shopping malls. (PNA)
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Emergency teams, public assistance centers up and ready in Bulacan for Lenten break
By Emil G. Gamos
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 31 (PNA) — Public assistance centers are now in place in strategic places in the province, assisting motorists and the influx of people coming home to the province this Holy Week.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that emergency teams, police assistance teams and volunteer radio groups are now on 24 hours alert and are ready to respond in any eventuality.
He said that most of the Public Assistance Centers were established in areas where huge crowds were expected to go to witness the different Holy Week traditions in the province.
Alvarado said that police and emergency response teams were also deployed in Barangay Kapitangan in Paombong town where thousands of local and foreign tourists were expected to flock to witness penitents.
Teams were also deployed at the Divine Mercy Shrine and at the Grotto in San Jose del Monte City, which is also a favorite destination during Holy Week.
Alvarado said that he would be making rounds and also visit hospitals to see to it that public assistance centers are well in place and ready.
Meanwhile, at least five penitents will be crucified at high noon on Good Friday in Barangay Kapitangan, a local tourism group announced on Saturday.
Jo Clemente, chairman of the Bulacan Tourism Convention and Visitors Bureau (BTCVB), said that the crucifixion site in Barangay Kapitangan had already been spruced up for the bloody Lenten rites.
He said the rehabilitation of the site was meant to improve the facilities of the Sto. Cristo chapel in the said village, which draws huge crowds every year.
He described the bloody Lenten rituals as the only tourism attraction in the province that gained strong following even without promotions.
The Catholic Church has maintained that the reenactment of the passion and crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ is just a “popularized religiosity.”
Diocese of Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros said that Christians were not asked to imitate what Jesus Christ had done more than 2,000 years ago.
“The Lord taught us to come carry our cross daily and follow Him. He did not say come and reenact my crucifixion,” Bishop Oliveros said. (PNA)
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Three persons died, 17 others hurt in Pampanga road mishap
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, March 29 (PNA) -- Three persons died and 17 others were injured when the vehicle they were riding accidentally hit the slope of a culvert and overturned along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) at the vicinity of Barangay Suclaban, Mexico town on Wednesday night.
In his report here, Supt. Ryan David, chief of police of Mexico, said three of the occupants of a Toyota Hi-Ace van (SKE-112) identified as Neila Bacugan, Fidela Robinson and Diosdado Basuel, were declared dead on arrival at Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital in San Fernando City.
The injured occupants, on the other hand, were taken to Angeles University Foundation Hospital in Angeles City, Mexico Community Hospital in Mexico town and Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital.
They were identified as Barangay Kagawad Romeo Rivera, 38, Romeo Palalon, 44, Mark Anthony Rivera, 11, Ronaldo Geogano, 33, Roberto Andaya, 38, Vicente Ignacio, 68, Teresita Corpuz, 67, Conrado Sabrani, 64, Lorenza Manuel, 77, Cynthia Bungares, 44, Mile Baswelt, Vangie Bacalzo, 69, Felesitas Lota, 77, Eleoteria Agustin, 68, Betty Laude, Florentina Lucasan, 65 and Manolita Bascuel, all residents of Caloocan City.
The report said that the victims left Caloocan City on board Toyota Hi-Ace van but while traveling along NLEX heading southbound direction, the driver Romeo Palalon reportedly lost control of the steering wheel and accidentally hit the slope of a culvert and overturned. It then hit a paper tree on the right embankment of the road until it rested right side down facing northbound direction.
The van was registered to Barangay Bagombong, Caloocan City, the report said.
David said that the van was taken to Pulilan Storage facility in Pulilan, Bulacan while the driver was invited for questioning to Mexico police station.
Charges are being readied against him, the police said. (PNA)
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Aquino declares April 2 as special non-working day in Bulacan in commemoration of 224th birth anniversary of Francisco 'Balagtas' Baltazar
MANILA, March 28 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared April 2, 2012 which falls on a Monday as a special non-working day in the province of Bulacan in commemoration of the 224th birth anniversary of prominent poet and orator Francisco "Balagtas" Baltazar.
In Proclamation No. 355 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on March 27, the Chief Executive issued the declaration to give the people of Bulacan the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
Known by his pen name Balagtas, Baltazar has been described as the “Prince of Tagalog Poets."
Baltazar was born in Panginay, Bigaa (now Balagtas), Bulacan on April 2, 1788. He was the youngest of the four children of Juan Baltazar, a blacksmith, and Juana de la Cruz.
He worked as a helper in Tondo to support his studies where he met Jose de la Cruz, a prominent poet whose penchant for fighting cocks as payment for his literary works earned him the sobriquet “Huseng Sisiw.”
The popular Filipino debate form Balagtasan was named after Balagtas. He was recognized by the Pahayagang Kastilyano (Spanish publication) and became the front cover for two weeks.
Baltazar is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for his impact on Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura, is regarded as his defining work. He died on February 20, 1862. (PNA)
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Eco-heritage park to rise in Bulacan
PANDI, Bulacan, March 27 (PNA) -- An eco-heritage park will soon rise at the Inang Filipina shrine in Real de Cacarong (also known as Kakarong de Sili) here, the fortress of Bulakenyo katipuneros where some 1,200 Filipino revolutionaries valiantly died after the fort was attacked by a large Spanish military forces on January 1, 1897.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said plans are now underway to make the historic site an environment-friendly tourist destination where the people, especially students and nature lover, can commune with nature and at the same time, feel the significance of the place and its role in the nation’s history.
The governor said the town of Pandi, which was historically known for the Real de Cacarong de Sili Shrine or the Inang Filipina Shrine, played a vital and historical role in the fight for Philippine Independence.
“We would like the great province of Bulacan to be known as the home of noble heroes, where the Filipino’s fervent quest for freedom, the three Republics —The Republic of Kakarong de Sili, The Biak-na-Bato Republic and the Malolos Republic, were born,” Alvarado said.
Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) chief Atty. Rustico “Teddy” de Belen said representatives of the provincial government, together with Bulacan State University president Dr. Mariano de Jesus and Pandi Mayor Enrico Roque visited the site on Monday and laid out plans to rehabilitate the place and transform it into an eco-heritage park.
Aside from remembering the heroism of the Filipino revolutionaries, De Belen said people would also appreciate the natural beauty of the place and inculcate into them the need to protect the province's cultural and historical heritages.
He said De Jesus and Roque are now also looking for relics and artifacts from that period so that it can be displayed at a museum that will also be constructed within the Inang Filipina Shrine.
A commemorative arch will also be built to welcome visitors to the historic landmark.
De Belen said once completed, there will educational tours, on-the-spot painting and writing contests so that students will have first-hand accounts on the historical and environmental significance of the place.
Historians said the 'Republic of Real de Kakarong de Sili' of 1896 was one of the first Philippine revolutionary republics established in the country.
It was in Kakarong de Sili, which about 6,000 Katipuneros from various towns of Bulacan headed by General Eusebio Roque, better known as "Maestrong Sebio," last of Filipino generals in the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War of 1899 that the "Kakarong Republic" was organized shortly after 'The Cry of Balintawak' .
Records of the National Historical Commission, also tells that the 'Kakarong Republic' was the first and truly organized revolutionary government established in the country to overthrow the Spaniards antedating event the famous Malolos Republic and the Biak-na-Bato Republic.
In recognition thereof, these three "republics" established in Bulacan have been incorporated in the seal of the province of Bulacan.
According to available records, including the biography of General Gregorio del Pilar titled "Life and Death of a Boy General" written by Teodoro Kalaw, former director of the National Library, a fort was constructed at Kakarong de Sili that was like a miniature city.
It had streets, an independent police force, a musical band, a factory of falconets, bolos and repair shops for rifles and cartridges.
The 'Kakarong Republic' had a complete set of officials with Canuto Villanueva as supreme chief and 'Maestrong Sebio' as captain-general of the Army.
The fort was attacked and totally destroyed on January 1, 1897 by a large Spanish force headed by General Olaguer-Feliu.
Gen. Gregorio del Pilar was only a lieutenant at that time and 'The Battle of Kakarong de Sili' was his first "baptism of fire". This was where he was first wounded and escaped to nearby Barangay Manatal here. (PNA)
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TRB braces for the influx of motorists on Holy Week
GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, March 26 (PNA) -- Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) executive director Atty. Edmond Reyes, Jr. on Monday warned the motorists plying the North and South Expressways to observe traffic rules especially the speed limits to avoid accidents and/or apprehension.
“Leave earlier than normal, give time allowances for heavier traffic and drive safely within specified speed limits,” Reyes advised the motorists during the on-the-spot inspection at the NLEX on Monday.
In a press briefing at the NLEX District building in Barangay Sta. Rita of this town, Reyes said they expect 10 to 15 percent increase in the number of travelers next week due to the Holy Week and additional national holiday, Araw ng Kagitingan, on April 9.
He said they launched the operation ahead of a very busy travel season to remind the drivers that the expressways are not racing tracks and instead good roads to provide them convenient travels.
“We would like to send them signals that they should strictly follow the speed limits rule because we are serious in instituting safety programs. Violators will surely be apprehended,” Reyes told the media representatives covering the inspection.
He said they are doing this for the benefit of the motorists because their records show that most of the accidents were due to drivers’ error which could have been avoided had they not over speed.
“During this time of homecoming, we wish them happy reunions with their families in their houses rather than in funeral homes,” said Reyes.
He emphasized further that driver’s license is not a right but only a privilege. Those who are given licenses are bound to be responsible not to harm themselves and other people through their reckless driving.
Engineer Gerry Aberilla, vice president for traffic operations of the North Tollways Corporation (NTC), said their company has six state of the art speed guns that monitor the speed of vehicles plying the toll roads.
Besides, there are CCTV cameras installed every two kilometers which are connected to the monitoring station in Balintawak office.
The NLEX patrol officers are deputized to apprehend violators.
Meanwhile, Aberilla announced that they will deploy two layer-ambulant tellers to facilitate faster payment of toll fees.
They will also issue special one-time payment-tickets for those who will travel straight from Balintawak and the Mindanao Avenue entrance to the SCTEX to minimize delay in cuing to pay the toll fees. (PNA)
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New highways to spur growth of Eastern Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, March 26 (PNA) -- Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has expressed optimism that the completion of the Plaridel Bypass road and the recent opening of the North Luzon Expressway-Balagtas interchange will not only greatly decongest traffic woes at the busy Sta. Rita Interchange and other major thoroughfares in Plaridel and Pulilan towns but will also open new growth corridors along the towns that it traverses.
“The travel time from the towns of Bustos, Angat, Norzagaray and other parts of eastern Bulacan to Metro Manila will be greatly lessened and it has greatly helped decongest traffic at the Sta. Rita exit of the expressway,” Alvarado said, adding that the new interchange will also play a big role in the economic development in the areas.
The governor noted that major road networks are strategically laid within the center of Bulacan, linking farming towns to growth areas like the cities of Malolos and Meycauayan and also to Metro Manila where travel time has now become more quicker with the opening of the Balagtas interchange in Barangay Burol last week.
He said that the agricultural products in the eastern towns of Bulacan will now have easier time reaching the markets with the completion of major road networks.
Alvarado said that programs are also underway in the construction of new highways that will link Fairview in Quezon City to the city of San Jose del Monte as well as the mountain town of Dona Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel to the province of Nueva Ecija and Aurora.
He, however, asked the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to see to it that the law is observed to the letter adding that portions of the road networks will traverse some farmlands.
"If the area is irrigated, it is non-negotiable. Environment protection can co-exist with growth and development. It is a case where environment and sustainable development can complement each other,” Alvarado said.
The new bypass road, designed to reduce travel time in the eastern towns of Bulacan by about 20 minutes, comes with an additional 2.4-kilometer access road leading to downtown Plaridel.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson said the entire two-phase project consisted of four contract packages to be built in succession.
Singson said he is looking forward to the early implementation of Contract Packages 3 and 4 under Phase 2 covering a total of 9.96 kilometers from Bustos to San Rafael to be bankrolled by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) president Ramoncito S. Fernandez noted that the Plaridel Bypass Road “manifests public-private partnership (PPP) in action."
“In this PPP, the government provided the road infrastructure while the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) will operate and maintain it as the country’s newest tollway,” Fernandez said. MNTC is a subsidiary of MPTC.
DPWH Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, who is overseeing implementation of the project, said implementation of Contract Package 2 is still ongoing. This 7.53-kilometer portion of the projected road infrastructure, which also includes the construction of seven bridges and drainage and slope protection system, traverses Barangay Bulihan in Plaridel towards Bustos town. It is scheduled for completion by February 2013. (PNA)
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Two dopesters fall in Bulacan drug bust
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 25 (PNA) -- A dope peddler landed in jail for the second time for selling prohibited drugs in Barangay Caingion here Saturday night.
Supt. David N. Poklay, city police chief, identified the suspect as Romeo Adriano, 43, single, a construction worker and resident of B52, L36, Northville 8, Barangay Bangkal here.
Poklay said the suspect was arrested after selling two plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu” with actual weights of 0.81 gram and 0.084 gram to a poseur buyer. The estimated street value of the illegal drugs is P1,000.
During the investigation, Poklay said the suspect admitted that he was previously jailed for the same offense.
He said investigators are still conducting deeper investigation to determine if the suspect had involvement in other crimes.
The seized pieces of evidence and Adriano were brought to the Bulacan Police Crime Laboratory Office for laboratory examination and drug test, respectively, Poklay added.
He said appropriate charges are being prepared for filing in court against the suspect.
In a related development, the Provincial Public Safety Company headed by Supt. Fitz A. Macariola arrested a farmer for illegal possession of prohibited drugs.
Macariola identified the suspect as Herminio Dungao, 38, married, farmer and a resident of Barangay Sulivan, Baliwag town.
Four plastic sachets of suspected “shabu” and 10 pieces of P50 bills were seized from the suspect.
The seized pieces of evidence were brought to the Bulacan Police Crime Laboratory Office for examination while appropriate charges are being readied against the suspect. (PNA)
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SP opposes House bill creating new legislative district in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 21 (PNA) - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) here passed a resolution on Tuesday strongly opposing House Bill 5367 filed by 3rd district Rep. Joselito Mendoza redistricting two congressional districts in the province of Bulacan.
In his privilege speech, Board Member Michael Fermin said the bill was filed in Congress without conducting any public consultation, including informing the provincial board.
He said that HB 5376 - “An act reapportioning the composition of the third and fourth legislative districts in the province of Bulacan and thereby creating new legislative districts from such reapportionment” - is a clear case of “gerrymandering” or creation of new districts to favor a particular political agenda.
Fermin said the proposed bill will also affect the districts being represented by board members at the provincial board.
"The proposed bill did not pass through the proper procedure on consultation with the people in the province, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the provincial government. This threatens to reduce the income, land area and population of the third and fourth districts of the province of Bulacan, a clear violation on the provision of Section 8 of the Local Government Code of 1991,” Fermin said.
Fermin, representing the 1st District, added that under the Local Government Code, any changes in the districts or LGUs shall not reduce the income, population or land area of the LGUs concerned to less than minimum requirements prescribed and income classification of the original LGUs shall not fall below its current income classification prior to division, merger, abolition or creation.
He said that since the bill was introduced in Congress without undergoing proper procedure on public consultation, the SP strongly opposes its passage.
Fermin’s proposal was seconded by board members Eulogio Sarmiento and Therese Cheryl Ople and was unanimously approved during Tuesday's regular session. (PNA)
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Plaridel Bypass now open to vehicular traffic
BALAGTAS, Bulacan, March 20 (PNA) -- At 1 p.m. Tuesday, motorists from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) going to the towns of Plaridel, Bustos, Baliwag, San Rafael, and farther north to Nueva Ecija can now exit at the newly completed Balagtas interchange and pass through the similarly newly-built 6.87-kilometer road comprising the first portion of the government’s Plaridel Bypass road project.
The new bypass road will reduce travel time in the eastern towns of Bulacan by about 20 minutes. It comes with an additional 2.4 kilometer access road leading to downtown Plaridel.
In a formal ceremony held Tuesday morning at the Balagtas interchange in Barangay Burol here, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson turned over the certificate of completion and transfer of management to Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) president Ramoncito S. Fernandez.
The bypass road manifests the public-private partnership (PPP) in action.
The government built the infrastructure through DPWH while the MNTC will operate and maintain it as the country’s newest tollway.
This is just the Contract Package I of the project composed of the Balagtas interchange, toll gate facilities which include toll gate plaza, toll supervision building, electrical service center, and pump house; and drainage and slope protection structures.
DPWH Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, who is overseeing the implementation of the project, said implementation of Contract Package 2 is still ongoing.
This 7.53-kilometer portion of the projected road infrastructure, which also include the construction of seven bridges and drainage and slope protection system, traverses Barangay Bulihan in Plaridel towards Bustos town.
It is expected to be completed in February 2013.
MNTC installed the fixed and non-fixed equipment necessary for the efficient tollway system.
MNTC president Rodrigo E. Franco said the MNTC has allocated P109 million for these equipment, plus P22 million for the operation and maintenance of the Balagtas Interchange and a portion of the bypass road.
When completed, the Plaridel Bypass road will be a 24.61-kilometer tollway branching out from the NLEX main in Burol up to San Rafael town, also in Bulacan.
Local officials headed by Second District Rep. Pedro M. Pancho, and the mayors of Plaridel, Bustos, Balagtas, and San Rafael witnessed the opening and the turnover ceremonies. (PNA)
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Two suspected motorcycle thieves killed in Bulacan shootout
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 17 (PNA) -- Two suspected motorcycle thieves were killed during a running gun battle with lawmen along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Sumapang Matanda here Friday night.
Supt. David N. Poklay, Malolos City police chief, said that the still unidentified suspects forcibly took a Yamaha Mio Amore motorcycle from Indian trader Rami Alkhadra in Barangay Catmon here.
He said the victim immediately reported the incident at the barangay hall. The barangay officials flashed the report immediately to the police.
Poklay said a police mobile team from the Malolos City police station and a team from the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) headed by Supt. Fitz Macariola chased the suspects and spotted them near the transmitter station of Radio Veritas along MacArthur Highway.
Instead of stopping, the duo fired at the pursuing lawmen. The policemen returned fire, resulting in the death of the two suspects.
Police recovered the stolen Yamaha Mio motorcycle with plate No. 6191 IT, a caliber .38 snub nose revolver without serial number, five pieces of live ammunition and one caliber .22 machine pistol without serial number.
Poklay said that a Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) team from the Bulacan Crime Laboratory Office also found assorted pieces of improvised pick locks, screw driver, vice grip, a green pouch containing a Nokia cellular phone with two SIM cards and a copy of Certificate of Discharge from the Bulacan Provincial Jail in the name of Jeffrey David who was detained for Violation of Republic Act No. 6539 in Criminal Case No. 3198-M-2008.
The bodies of the suspects were brought to a local funeral parlor. (PNA)
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Gov calls for urgent action to revive heavily-polluted Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando river systems
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 15 (PNA) - -The biologically dead and heavily polluted Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando river system needs an immediate “shot in arm” to revive it and free residents and fishing villages from the pollution hazards.
This developed as Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado called for an immediate support from the national government regarding the rehabilitation of the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System (MMORS).
“Everyone is looking up to the north, it is the time to show our region’s development and progress. But how can we fully promote that, if there’s a smudge or a 'blackeye' on its image? We need concrete solutions on how to remove the MMORS on the list of the world’s dirtiest river,” the governor said, adding that the protection of environment and natural resources is one of the seven-point agenda of his administration.
Alvarado, who is also the chairman of the Sectoral Committee on Infrastructure Development (SCID) of the Regional Development Council (RDC), said that he already gave instructions to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a program proposal, together with its budgetary requirement for the rehabilitation of MMORS during the last SCID-RDC III meeting.
DPWH acting regional director Antonio Molano said that they have already submitted a proposal on the dredging of the MMORS.
He said the project needs a budgetary requirement of P1.9 billion, which will involve the dredging of MMORS of about 43.30 kilometers and dike improvement of about 30 kilometers in length on the assumption that all informal settlers along the riverbank will be relocated.
“It is also worth mentioning that this river system is one of the identified waterways that directly discharge to Manila Bay thus, its rehabilitation or improvement is significant in improving the water quality of the bay, which is the spelled out in the Supreme Court ruling on ‘continuing mandamus,’” the DPWH officer-in-charge said.
Alvarado emphasized the importance for concerned agencies to immediately act upon the matter.
“This project needs a strong political will in order for it to succeed. We also need to put everything in due process, make public consultation and proper information dissemination, particularly in the matter of relocating the settlers within the riverbanks. It is also important to develop a sanitary landfill in Bulacan where the spoils of the dredging will be properly dumped,” Alvarado said.
The governor also disclosed that the construction of a sanitary landfill is crucial for the dredging of the heavily silted and polluted river systems.
He said the spoils of the dredging should be dumped properly to a safe and contained place because the said rivers are tainted with hazardous heavy metals like mercury and arsenic.
The proposal of DPWH will be endorsed by the SCID-RDC III for the allocation of budget from the convergence fund.
The New York-based environmental watchdog “Blacksmith Institute” has tagged the Marilao and Meycauayan rivers as among the “dirty thirty” rivers in the world.
The provincial government and local government units in the area are constantly coordinating with concerned government agencies in a collective bid to revive it. (PNA)
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Three killed, two hurt in Bulacan road mishap
CALUMPIT, Bulacan, March 9 (PNA) -- A dump truck driver, who was reportedly fleeing a mob after stabbing a man and stoning a five-year-old in Barangay Dampol, Pulilan town, and two others were killed while two others injured when the said speeding truck rammed into a tricycle in Barangay Caniogan here Thursday afternoon.
Police identified the fatalities as Romnick Aguilar, truck driver; Avelino Cartago, tricycle driver and one Ramil Anade. Other details are still not known.
A certain Alfredo Aguilar and Danny Balcemeda, who were both on board an Isuzu forward truck that was chasing the speeding dump truck, were injured after the dump truck sideswiped their vehicle and over turned towards a grassy field.
Witnesses said the escaping truck driver could have gotten away if his speeding vehicle did not ram into the tricycle being driven Cartago.
Because of the very strong impact, the tricycle was thrown several meters away from the site of collision.
Supt. Manuel Santos, town police chief, said the truck driver had just stabbed a man in nearby Barangay Dampol, Pulilan and was fleeing a mob of angry men who was about to lynched him.
Balcemeda, who is undergoing treatment at the Bulacan Medical Center in Malolos City, said the fleeing truck driver also hit a five-year old boy with a rock.
He said they were chasing and trying to overtake the dump truck but the driver sideswiped their vehicle. (PNA)
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DENR-EMB Region 3 padlocks tire pyrolysis plant in Bulacan
GUIGUINTO, Bulacan, March 7 (PNA) -- The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (EMB-DENR) in Region 3 padlocked on Wednesday a tire pyrolysis plant operated by the Bio-Eco Solution Technology Inc., in Barangay Tabang here for numerous violations of environmental laws.
EMB environment technicians accompanied by EMB regional director Lormelyn Claudio and Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado served a cease and desist order against the owner of Bio-Eco Solution Technology Inc after it was found that its tire pyrolysis plant violated provisions of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System Law (PD 1686); Clean Air Act (RA 8749); Clean Water Act (RA 9275); Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003); and the Toxic, Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Act (RA 6969).
Claudio said their office earlier served a “notice of violation” against John Ang, operations manager of Bio-Eco Solution Technology Inc., for conducting testing operations without securing first the necessary environmental compliance certificate (ECC), permit to operate (POA) and discharge permit (DP,) which is in violation of Section 4 of PD 1686 otherwise known as the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System as well as the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Philippine Clean Air Act and the Philippine Clean Water Act.
Residents in the area complained that the plant continues to operate, emitting obnoxious odor that is posing health hazards to the community's mixed industrial, commercial and residential area.
Claudio, Alvarado and Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) chief Rustico de Belen witnessed the serving of the order which was received by security guard Romeo Francisco in the presence of the company’s legal counsels.
Claudio and Alvarado later posted a notice to the public at steel gate of the plant, stating that the tire pyrolysis plant and its facilities is closed.
“We have explained to the owners that they supposedly should have stopped their testing operations but residents said that they continue to operate.
It is smoking and emitting obnoxious odor until now, Claudio told local newsmen who covered the serving of the cease and desist order.
Alvarado said the provincial government and DENR officials will discuss legal measures to ensure that the plant will not operate again and will enforce a “24/7” monitoring on the padlocked facility.
“We will not allow them. We will pursue their closure until such time that they have safe technology which is not hazardous to environment and one's health," Alvarado said.
Alvarado also ordered the Provincial Health Office (PHO) to check the health condition of residents and the company workers.
The governor also found out that most of the workers came from the same tire pyrolysis plant that the DENR and the provincial government have padlocked earlier in Barangay Pulong Yantok, Angat town.
He told the workers that he will send a medical team to check their health conditions.
Becca Reyes, a resident living near the plant, told Alvarado and Claudio that many residents, mostly children are now suffering skin irritations, asthma and dizziness due to the toxic smokes being emitted by the tire burning facility.
It was learned that the company burns used tires and other materials made of rubber to produce bunker oil.
An EMB team that earlier inspected the plant reported that the processed building is not yet fully enclosed and carbon ashes were noted scattered at the second floor and in the open area of the tire-burning facility. (PNA)
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Aquino declares April 23 as special non-working day in Plaridel, Bulacan in commemoration of the Battle of Quingua
MANILA, March 7 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared April 23, 2012 which falls on a Monday as a special non-working day in the municipality of Plaridel in Bulacan in commemoration of the Battle of Quingua.
In Proclamation No. 350 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on March 7, the President issued the declaration to give the people of Plaridel the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
The Battle of Quingua was fought on April 23, 1899 in Quingua (now Plaridel, Bulacan) during the Philippine-American War. A reconnaissance mission under Major Franklin Bell was attacked by a strong Filipino force under Gregorio del Pilar.
The battle was one of the most significant victories of the Filipinos during the war. (PNA)
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Bulacan gov commends police for peace keeping initiatives
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 6 (PNA) -- Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has commended the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) and the 56th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army for their sound accomplishments in busting crime and internal security operations in the province.
Alvarado made the commendation during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting on Monday, the first to be held this year, at the Balagtas Hall of the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here.
"We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Bulacan PNP for the reduction of crime rate for the year 2011 and the first quarter of 2012. Same goes for the 56th IB of the Philippine Army for their peace keeping initiatives and unwavering support in times of natural disaster ” the governor, who presided the meeting as PPOC chair.
The governor also acknowledged the security plans and programs of the BPPO as well as the “bayanihan” or community outreach programs of the 56th IB headed by Col. Hilario Vicente Lagnada.
He said the provincial government will continue to support programs geared towards the improvement of peacekeeping initiatives.
In his report to the council, Bulacan police director Fernando H. Mendez Jr., has declared the peace and order situation in the province as “generally peaceful.”
Mendez also said that they had lined up several programs that the provincial police office is currently pursuing, among of which includes Implan “PIPS” or Police Integrated Patrol System, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), One Police Supervisor per Barangay, "Pa-Sine sa Barangay Laban sa Droga" and "Takbo sa Barangay Laban sa Krimen."
He also disclosed that the BPPO is also upgrading the capability of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, conduct of criminal investigation course, personnel to be trained on search, rescue and relief operation and disaster response capability enhancement.
“Peace and order is very vital for growth and development. We have to put everything in order so there can be peace," Alvarado said. (PNA)
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Bulacan lines up various activities for fire prevention month
MALOLOS CITY, March 6 (PNA) -- Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado has mapped out month-long activities and strategies in celebration of Fire Prevention Month.
With the theme “Makiisa, Makialam, Makipagtulungan upang Sunog ay Maiwasan”, the event aims to increase the awareness of Bulakenyos in fire prevention as well as mitigate the 149 fire incidents that happened in the province last year.
Felicisima Mungcal, executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said the activities for this month include bloodletting drive and fire awareness run that will be participated by policemen, firemen, non-government response teams, military and provincial capitol employees.
Aside from souvenir items for the first 150 participants, trauma kits and other first aid prizes will be given to the winners in the marathon.
There will also be a fire and earthquake drill, a regional activity that will take place at the provincial capitol, Mungcal said.
Aside from seminars on fire prevention and earthquake and emergency and disaster preparedness, she said there will also be trainings for fire suppression and first aid.
Also included in the trainings are disaster management and disaster operations with water search and rescue (WASAR), she added. (PNA)
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Bulacan remains generally peaceful - police
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 5 (PNA) - Despite the recent spate of murder cases, some committed in broad daylight, Bulacan Police director Senior Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., on Monday declared that the peace and order situation in the province is “generally peaceful.”
Mendez made the announcement during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held at the Balagtas Hall of the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here Monday morning.
During the meeting, the Bulacan police director made a PowerPoint presentation showing the peace and order situation in the province, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office’s administrative capability, accomplishments, plans and programs and assessments.
Mendez said that from 2010, the crime rate in the province has been sliding down while the accomplishments on crime prevention and neutralization of criminal syndicate and lawless elements have gone up.
A series of killing incidents, most of which happened in broad daylight, has somewhat tainted the peaceful atmosphere in the province, prompting officials to convene the PPOC.
Mendez also lined up several programs that the provincial police office is currently pursuing, which include Implan “PIPS” or Police Integrated Patrol System; Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), One Police Supervisor per Barangay, Pa-Sine sa Barangay Laban sa Droga and Takbo sa Barangay Laban sa Krimen.
He also told the council presided by PPOC chairman Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado that the BPPO is also upgrading the capability of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, conduct of criminal investigation course, personnel to be trained on search, rescue and relief operation and disaster response capability enhancement.
He added that they are also planning to repair and convert old buildings at the provincial police headquarters into a multi-purpose building.
Col. Hilario Vicente C. Lagnada, battalion commander of the 56th IB of the Philippine Army, on his part, reported that the effort of leftist insurgents is still focused on their recovery program such as recruitment of new members, training/education of their regular members to enhance their skills and capabilities.
“Furthermore, their activities indicate a possible conduct of tactical offensives considering the fact that they have been outscored by the government troops during recent encounters. It is expected, as in the mindset of the military, that they will conduct liquidation, ambuscades, harassment or any other form of “tactical offensives” just to inflict casualties to any AFP/PNP personnel,” Lagnada said.
During the meeting, Alvarado suggested that the PPOC meet on a quarterly basis.
The governor stressed that the great province of Bulacan is not a place for criminals.
“Peace and order is very vital for growth and development. We have to put everything in order so there can be peace. The cooperation between the LGUs and the law enforcement agencies is vital. We have to always sustain the peace and order situation,” Alvarado added.
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Cops nab seven car thieves in Bulacan
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan, March 2 (PNA) - Police arrested seven suspected members of a car theft gang, including two minors, during an operation in San Francisco Homes Subdivision, Barangay Mulawin here Thursday afternoon.
Police identified the arrested suspects as Sammy Dumlao, 29, single, tricycle driver, native of Cotabato City, and a resident of Francisco Homes Subdivision, Barangay Mulawin, San Jose Del Monte City; Bayan Madrigal, 18, tricycle driver, native of Catbalogan, Samar, resident of Verde Heights Subdivision, Barangay Gaya-gaya, San Jose Del Monte City;
Patrick Braza, 18, jobless, native of Catbalogan, Samar, and resident of Maligaya Park Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City; Jonathan Repollo, 18, single, and resident of Maligaya Park Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City; Ronald Bautista, 18, single, of Maligaya Park Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City; and
“Jeff” (not his real name), 17, native of Negros Occidental, resident of Maligaya Park Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City and “Allan” (not his real name), 16, single and resident of Maligaya Park Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City.
Supt. Marcos Rivero, city police chief, said that earlier, the San Jose del Monte City Police Station received a report that a suspected stolen tricycle (blue Kawasaki 125 without plate number) was being offered for sale at the said place.
Upon receipt of the information, a team of policemen accompanied by the informant were sent to the place, he added.
When the police team was able to locate the tricycle, they immediately arrested the suspects who admitted that they stole the tricycle while it was parked unattended at Parkland, Camarin, Caloocan City last Feb. 29, around 2:00 a.m.
The registered owner of the vehicle was later identified as Cecilio Paloca.
Rivero said that after undergoing documentation process, the arrested suspects and the confiscated tricycle were turned over to Caloocan Police for proper disposition. (PNA)
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Police nets 32,389 violators of 'No Helmet, No Ride' policy in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, March 1 (PNA) -- Police have arrested a total of 32,389 violators of the “No Helmet, No Ride” policy in the province from the period of January 2011 to February 2012.
Authorities made this report during the bi-monthly “Talakayan sa Bulacan” at the Local Governance Center here on Thursday.
Supt. Noli Pacheco, assistant provincial director for administration of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO), said that the violators were apprehended during the conduct of "Oplan: Sita", a police checkpoint operations conducted by the different police stations and the Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC), under Supt. Fitz Macariola, all over the province.
He said that “Oplan: Sita” is the BPPO’s support to the “No Helmet, No Ride” policy of the provincial government headed by Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando.
Pacheco said the campaign also resulted in the arrest of persons carrying unlicensed firearms and prohibited drugs.
Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio said the provincial government is now strictly enforcing the “No Helmet, No Ride” policy in all thoroughfares in the province to ensure safe ride and travel of motorists.
He said that Governor Alvarado and Vice Governor Fernando have noted that most of the victims who figured in motorcycle accidents were not wearing safety helmets.
Valerio said the provincial government and the Bulacan police continuously urged motorcycle riders to strictly follow the provisions of the implementing rules and regulations of Panlalawigang Kautusan Bilang 03-T’09, which the governor authored and was passed when he was still the vice governor and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panglalawigan.
He said the measure is aimed to ensure the safety of motorcycle riders, their passengers and the public as well.
Under the said provincial ordinance, all motorcycle riders, both driver and back rider, are required to wear standard quality protective helmets when using Bulacan roads. Tricycle drivers are not included. (PNA)
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Bulacan police seize tricycle loaded with hot meat
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- Police seized a tricycle loaded with hot meat in Barangay Muzon here Monday night.
City police head Superintendent Marcos Rivero said a police mobile team were conducting preventive patrol operations when they chanced upon two unidentified suspects who were on board a Kawasaki Barako 175 tricycle with plate no.4918 RT loaded with suspected hot meat.
The police team flagged down the tricycle but instead of stopping, the suspects fled prompting the patrolling elements to chase them until they entered a compound where they abandoned the tricycle and escaped on foot using the back door exit, Rivero said.
The two suspects were later identified as Michael N. Missiona and Evangeline Missiona, both residents of Block 3615, Lot 1F, De Leon Street, Barangay Muzon here.
Rivero said that when the tricycle was inspected, the policemen found several suspected double dead pork on board the abandoned tricycle prompting them to call the attention of the Provincial Veterinary Office and City Meat Inspection Officer, Dr. Lorenzo E. Valeriano.
The veterinary doctors later confirmed that the meat were indeed “botcha” or hot meat, he said.
Police seized 15 pieces of hog meat with an approximate total weight of 1,200 kilos. The seized hot meat were later burned and buried.
Criminal charges for Violation of Para 2B Sec 4 of Provincial Ordinance 08-2011 and Violation of Municipal Ordinance 2002-13-02 were filed against the two suspects. (PNA)
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Five suspected cable wire thieves nabbed in Bulacan
PANDI, Bulacan, Feb. 25 (PNA) -- Police and village watchmen caught five suspected burglars while stealing cable wires of Digitel Telecoms in Barangay Poblacion, early Friday morning.
In a report to Bulacan police director Sr. Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., Chief Insp. Sabino Vengco III identified the arrested suspects as Randy San Diego, 26, taxi driver and a resident of No. 05 T. Santiago Street, Barangay Lingunan, Valenzuela City; Glen San Diego, 30, a resident of No. 334 T. Santiago Street, Barangay Lingunan, Valenzuela City; Dennis Lutrania, 20, a resident of No. 221 Kadiwa Street, Barangay Malanday, Valenzuela City; Jason Sebastian, 27, a resident of No. 413 Bancal Extension, Meycauayan City and Roberto Geronimo, 23, a resident of No. 290 C. Molina Street, Barangay Bente Reales, Valenzuela City.
Police investigators said that while the barangay tanods of Poblacion were conducting foot patrol, they saw the suspects in the act of cutting Digitel cable wires using a steel saw.
The suspects’ vehicle, a taxi cab (Janice Transport) with plate number TVT-796, was also seen parked near the place.
Vengco said that the barangay tanods immediately reported what they witnessed to the personnel of Pandi police station, who quickly responded that resulted in the arrests of the five suspects.
Confiscated from their possession were Digitel cable wires, measuring to more or less 55 meters and one steel-saw.
A criminal complaint for violation of article 308 of the Revised Penal Code (theft) was filed against the arrested suspects before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor. (PNA)
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SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan, Feb. 16 (PNA) -- A prominent lawyer was killed after six unidentified heavily-armed suspects barged inside his office in Barangay Sampol here and repeatedly shot him to death Wednesday noon.
Police identified the victim as Lawyer Cornelio Cruz, 55, married, a resident of Barangay Sapang Palay in this city and an active member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines–Gat. Marcelo H. Del PIlar (Bulacan) Chapter.
Supt. Marcos Rivero, city police chief, said Cruz was inside his office when six men wearing ski-masks and armed with M-16 Armalite rifle and handguns riddled the victim with bullets.
Witnesses said that after shooting, the suspects fled on board a waiting motorcycle and a van.
Investigators said the killing of Cruz could be “work-related” because the lawyer is handling some controversial cases in this city.
The IBP-Bulacan chapter headed by its president Atty. Cecilio Villanueva issued a statement strongly condemning the brutal, senseless and treacherous killing of one of their respected members.
Villanueva said IBP-Bulacan is calling on the authorities to investigate and immediately apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.
“We condole with the family of our departed member. Rest assured that IBP-Bulacan chapter will help in the quest for justice,” he said.
Former Bulacan Congressman and SJDM City Mayor Angelito Sarmiento also condemned the killing of Cruz and urged all law enforcement agencies to left no stone unturned in their investigation that could lead to the immediate arrest of the suspects. (PNA)
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Bulacan mayor fears for his safety as tension grips San Miguel town
SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan, Feb. 16 (PNA) -- Mayor Roderick Tiongson on Thursday expressed fear for his safety after the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) removed one of his police security escorts who is being charged as one of the alleged gunmen of a village chief here.
Tiongson's security escort, along with two San Miguel town policemen allegedly killed two bodyguards of Sta. Inez village chief Bong Alvarez, who was also wounded in an attack at a spa parlor in Barangay San Juan here last week.
At the same time, Tiongson appealed to President Benigno Aquino III, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicanor Bartolome to investigate what he called as “shaky situation” in their town after the BPPO sent a police task force and took over the command of the entire police station.
Bulacan Police Director Fernando H. Mendez Jr. has designated Superintendent Adriano Enong as officer-in-charge of the San Miguel police station to oversee the peace and order situation here.
But Tiongson has questioned the move after the OIC police chief allegedly told him that “he is not under the mayor” as he was also heading the police task force investigating the recent ambush of Alvarez, who was hit in the right arm when heavily armed men stormed the Jessica Spa where he was having facial treatment.
Two of Alvarez's bodyguards, identified as Ruel Vidal, 52, of Barangay Tibagan and Josefino Alvarez of Barangay Sta. Ines, were killed due to multiple gunshot wounds.
Tiongson police aide SP02 Angelito Liwag, was brought to the police provincial headquarters and was detained at the holding cell of Camp Gen. Alejo Santos after he was charged with two counts of murder, a case of attempted murder and grave misconduct along with San Miguel policemen PO3 Antonio Timotheo, PO1 Alex Dayao and one “Jane Doe.”
Tiongson claimed that tension is now gripping their town because it now appears that he is also being implicated in the case.
Alvarez said that he was having facial care when he heard gunshots and then he saw that his two bodyguards have fallen.
He said the attackers failed to get inside the parlor after he locked the door but the gunmen opened fire hitting him in the right arm before escaping. (PNA)
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Probers dig deeper into murder at former Nanette Castelo-Daza’s house
By Joel C. Atencio
MANILA, Feb. 11 (PNA) – Police on Saturday are digging deeper into the motive surrounding the death of long-time boyfriend of former Quezon City Rep. Nanette Castelo-Daza's right inside her house in Quezon City Friday night.
Noel Orate Sr., 55, a manager of the United Laboratories, Inc., was found sprawled dead with five gunshot wounds in the body inside Daza's house at 51 Maningning Street, Barangay Teacher's Village East, Quezon City.
Police held Daza’s son-in-law Allan Robes, a board member of Bulacan province, for questioning right after Orate was found dead at past 10 p.m. Friday. Robes is married to Daza’s daughter Quezon City councilor Jessica Castelo Daza.
Robes remained detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit in Camp Karingal.
Police said they responded to a call about a commotion inside the Daza residence past 10 p.m. on Friday. Policemen dispatched to check on the report suddenly heard successive shots being fired. They then saw Robes, still armed with a .380 gun, about to leave the compound.
Police said there was no clear motive yet as both parties declined to give details of the shooting incident. (PNA)
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SC junks 'baseless' complaint vs. 3 CA justices
MANILA, Feb. 10 (PNA) - The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed outright for utter lack of merit the complaint filed against Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justices Juan Q. Enriquez, Jr., Ramon M. Bato, Jr. and Florito S. Macalino.
In a 12-page ruling penned by SC Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, the SC en banc also gave complainant Engr. Oscar L. Ongjoco 10 days from receipt of the resolution to show cause in writing why he should not be punished for indirect contempt "for degrading the judicial office of respondent Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals, and for interfering with the due performance of their work for the Judiciary."
"Judicial officers do not have to suffer the brunt of unsuccessful or dissatisfied litigants' baseless and false imputations of their violating the Constitution in resolving their cases and of harboring bias and partiality towards the adverse parties," the SC said.
The case arose from the administrative complaint in June 2011 filed by Ongjoco, claiming to be the Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the FH-Gymn Multi-Purpose and Transport Service Cooperative (FH-Gymn), charging the CA's Sixth Division, composed of Enriquez as chair and Bato and Macalino as members, with rendering an arbitrary and baseless decision unfavorable to FH-Gymn.
FH-Gymn filed a graft complaint with the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon against San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan councilors, who are members of the Committee on Transportation and Communications, for uttering statements against FH-Gymn and denying its request to authorize FH-Gymn Chair Ongjoco to issue motorized tricycle operators permit (MTOP) to its members.
When the Ombudsman dismissed the complaint for insufficiency of evidence, FH-Gymn elevated the case to the CA, but the CA's Sixth Division denied FH-Gymn's petition for review and later, its motion for reconsideration (MR).
The SC said that the CA's Sixth Division's decision showed that it has complied with the requirements of the Constitution contrary to Ongjoco's claims.
It said that "the definitive pronouncement of the CA's Sixth Division that 'the Deputy Ombudsman found no substantial evidence to prove that there was interference in the internal affairs of FH-GYMN nor was there a violation of the law by the respondents' met the constitutional demand for a clear and distinct statement of the facts and the law on which the decision was based."
The SC said that the CA's Sixth Division expressly found that FH-Gymn had not discharged its burden as the petitioner of proving its allegations with substantial evidence.
It reminded Ongjoco that to sustain his allegations of misconduct against the respondent Justices, his administrative complaint "must rest on the quality of the evidence; and that his basing his plain accusations on hunches and speculations would not suffice to held them administratively liable for rendering the adverse decision."
"We recognize that unfounded administrative charges against judges really degrade the judicial office, and interfere with the due performance of their work for the Judiciary. Hence, we deem to be warranted to now direct Ongjoco to fully explain his act of filing an utterly baseless charge against respondent Justices," the SC said. (PNA)
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Village chief survives ambush, two bodyguards killed in Bulacan
SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan, Feb. 7 (PNA) -- A village chief was wounded while two of his bodyguards were killed after they were ambushed by two unidentified armed men riding tandem on a motorcycle in Barangay San Juan here Monday night.
Police said John Bong Alvarez, 39, chairman of Barangay Sta. Ines, was having facial massage inside a spa parlor when the suspects,armed with an M16 baby armalite rifle and a .45 caliber pistol, opened fire, hitting him on the right arm.
He was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment and is now in stable condition, police said.
However, two of his bodyguards, identified as Josefino Alvarez, 37, of Barangay Sta. Ines; and Roel Vidal, 52, of Barangay Tibagan, died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Alvarez told investigators that he saw his bodyguards, who were standing outside the spa parlor, fall down during the initial volley of gunfire.
He said the suspects even approached the fallen victims and shot them on the head.
Upon hearing the gunshots, he immediately told the two attendants to lock the door and instructed them and other customers to run at the back of the establishment and lie down on the floor.
The suspects tried to barge inside but failed and even sprayed the parlor with gunfire before leaving the place.
Alvarez said he got hit on his arm after the suspects fired on the spa's floor area.
Supt. Julius Domingo, town police chief, said they are looking into several angles as possible motive on the ambush.
He said as of this time, they are not ruling out politics as a possible motive.
It was learned that earlier, the village chief has openly declared his intention to run for a higher position in the town.
A police team is now tracking down the suspects. (PNA)
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Proficiency test in Korean ongoing in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Feb. 7 (PNA) -- Big opportunities of landing a job in Korea awaits Bulakenyos as the registration for the 8th Employment Permit System-Test of Proficiency in Korean (EPS-TOPIK) kicked off Monday and will run until February 9 in six venues here.
Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said this program will give an edge to aspiring Bulakenyo workers to get a job in Korea.
This is because according to Philippine Overseas Employment Association (POEA) those who are interested to pursue employment in the said country must have an active registration status in order to be included in the manpower pool for Korea, Alvarado said.
Elizabeth Alonzo, head of Provincial Youth, Sports, Employment, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office said all job seekers who want to work in Korea under EPS must pass EPS-TOPIK.
Only those who passed the test will be uploaded for transfer to the roster of available workers by submitting their job application for the EPS, Alonzo said.
In order to qualify for the EPS-TOPIK scheduled on March 18, 2012, an applicant must be 18 years of age and not more than 38 years old on the date of exam, physically and mentally fit, must not have any record of conviction or imprisonment for a heinous crime, must have no record of deportation or departure orders from the Republic of Korea, must not be restricted from departure from the Philippines and must be registered with active status in the POEA Manpower Registry.
Meanwhile, as clearly stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), passing the EPS-TOPIK does not guarantee employment in Korea but only inclusion on the available list of job seekers available for employment.
The venue for examination will be posted on March 6 and the result of the exam will be announced on March 30. (PNA)
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BENRO issues notice of violation vs. toxic dumpers
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Feb. 6 (PNA) -- The Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) on Monday issued a “notice of violation” against Glo Siphoning Septic Tank Services for directly dumping liquid waste and hazardous substances in Barangay Sta. Rosa I, Marilao town last week.
BENRO chief Rustico T. De Belen said the siphoning service company violated Article II, Section 15 (Prohibition 1 and 4) in the Provincial Ordinance No. C-005 or the 2011 Revised Provincial Environment Code.
De Belen also directed the owner of the company to pay P10,000 as penalty for the violations they committed with 10 days upon receipt of the notice, without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges for violation of RA 6969, otherwise known as the Philippine Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990.
De Belen said a technical team from their office went to the area after receiving information that toxic wastes were being dumped in Barangay Sta. Rosa 1.
He said that the vehicle of the company, a closed van with a a tank inside, was impounded due to the violations committed.
It was also learned from the van’s driver, Rogelio Gayondato, that the company has no wastewater treatment facility for their siphoning services.
De Belen said the driver also admitted that they are used to locate vacant areas in which siphoned substances will be directly disposed, which is prohibited under the law.
He said that under the Revised Provincial Environment Code of Bulacan, “no person shall operate and maintain any collection system, sewage disposal system or sewage treatment facility or wastewater treatment facility unless the same is provided with adequate and effective and covered by a current and valid permit issued by the Governor pursuant to the ordinance."
De Belen also said that “no person shall discharge, wholly or partially, untreated or inadequately treated industrial effluents directly into bodies of water or through the use of by-pass canals and or pumps and other unauthorized means except upon prior to the approval by the Governor or his duly authorized representative.
Last week, police arrested three employees of the said company caught dumping hazardous waste at a creek that flows into the Marilao river in Barangay Sta. Rosa I, Marilao town.
Bulacan police director Sr. Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., identified the arrested suspects as Rogelio Gayondato Jr, 28, resident of Malambing St. Pangarap Village, Caloocan City; Edimar Pantino Balsco 17, helper, resident of Barangay Tungko Mangga, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; and Miguel Labong Tamayo 17, helper, resident of Barangay San Roque, Tala, Caloocan City.
The arrested suspects are reportedly employed at GlO Siphoning Poza Negro and Declogging Pipeline Services.(PNA)
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Bulacan SP recommends six-month suspension for "mining" mayor
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The Committee on Justice and Good Governance of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan here recommended on Wednesday a six-month suspension against Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT) town Mayor Ronaldo T. Flores after he was found guilty of “conflict of interest” and “abuse of authority” filed against him by a village chief in his town.
Six SP board members voted in favor of suspending Flores; three voted no and four were absent.
Committee chairman Enrique V. dela Cruz Jr. said that after almost two months of hearing and deliberating merits of the cases, the body has proven that the complaint by Roberto Sembrano, village chief of Barangay Camachin, is valid and true.
Dela Cruz said the six months suspension order will take effect after the respondent received the decision.
He also requested that the “Ulat ng Lupon” be approved as a “decision” of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Sembrano filed the cases of “conflict of interest” and “abuse of authority” against Flores on Nov. 4, 2011.
The complainant accused the mayor of engaging in illegal mining activities by extracting, stockpiling and transporting iron ores from Barangay Camachin, utilizing for his own gains some employees of the municipal government in order to conduct his illegal operations in the said village.
Sembrano said that Flores, being the incumbent mayor of DRT, is the issuing authority of mayor’s and business permit of Ore Asia Mining and Development Corp.(Ore-Asia), which has mining business in Barangay Camachin.
He added that through influence and abuse of authority, the respondent was able to contract, through its corporation, Sky Trac Trucking and Marron Mineral Carriers, Inc, the hauling services in transporting iron ores from Ore Asia’s extraction site to stockpile area and from the stockpile area to the pier.
Sembrano said that this indicates the mayor’s conflict of interest and abuse of authority.
In his counter affidavit, Flores, on the other hand, said that “the charges for unlawful mining activities and monopoly of hauling services are both unfounded and cannot be sustained.”
The committee on justice and good governance however found that Flores violated the law on the conflict of interest.
Dela Cruz said that it was very clear the accused is a public officer and has direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction.
The body also found that the mayor has indeed abused his power when he used his position as municipal mayor to favor his trucks as the hauler of iron ore of Ore Asia by issuing permits, use of municipal employees in his personal business ventures, apprehension of rival trucks and threatening Ore Asia that he will not issue permit unless it will not hire his company to haul ore and use the Ore Transport Permit of Ore Asia.
Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Rustico de Belen said the decision is a clear realization that Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado is really true in the implementation of his seven-point agenda, specifically good governance, by punishing irresponsible and abusive public officials.
Likewise, this also proves that Governor Alvarado is very firm in his resolve to protect the environment and natural resources of the province, De Belen said. (PNA)
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Three persons held for dumping toxic wastes in Bulacan
MARILAO, Bulacan, Jan. 31 (PNA) - Police have arrested three persons caught dumping hazardous industrial wastes into a creek that flows into the Marilao river in Barangay Sta. Rosa on Tuesday morning.
Bulacan police director Senior Superitendent Fernando H. Mendez Jr., identified the arrested suspects as Rogelio Gayondato Jr., 28, resident of Malambing St. Pangarap Village, Caloocan City; Edimar Pantino Balsco, 17, helper, of Barangay Tungko Mangga, San Jose Del Monte City; and Miguel Labong Tamayo, 17, helper, of Barangay San Roque St., Tala, Caloocan City.
The arrested suspects are reportedly employed at GLO Siphoning Pozo Negro and Declogging Pipeline Services.
Mendez said joint operatives of the Marilao Police Station under Superintendent Gerry Andaya, the Provincial Intelligence Branch led by Superintendent Edwin Quilates and village chief Val delos Reyes conducted a stakeout after receiving a tip that a creek in Barangay Sta. Rosa I is being used as dumping ground of toxic and hazardous industrial wastes.
Officer on case Senior Inspector Restituto Granil said the site was inside the Westmont Industrial Subdivision in Barangay Sta, Rosa II.
The police team caught the three suspects while discharging suspected hazardous wastes using a closed van.
Granil said that one Mitsubishi Canter closed van with plate number WEB 680 was recovered from the suspects.
Upon learning of the incident, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado immediately sent a team from the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources (BENRO) headed by Lawyer Rustico de Belen to investigate and file appropriate charges against the culprits.
He stressed that the provincial government will not allow Bulacan to become a dumping ground of hazardous chemical waste especially the Marilao river, where a massive clean–up drive is going on, in a collective effort to erase its image as one of the dirties rivers in the world as listed by the New York-based environmental watchdog Blacksmith Institute.
BENRO chief De Belen said that the suspects could be held liable for violations of Republic Act 6969, an act regulating the proper disposal of toxic substances and hazardous industrial wastes. (PNA)
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Woman who filed case vs leader of Dominguez Group gunned down
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Jan. 27 (PNA) -- Hired killers gunned down in broad daylight a woman who filed a case against the suspected leader of the Dominguez Group, inside a passenger jeepney in front of the provincial capitol here on Thursday afternoon.
Police identified the victim as Christina Bruan Rojas, 51, owner of a gasoline station in Paombong town.
Investigation conducted by P02 Danilo Torres of the Malolos City Police Station said that Rojas had just attended a hearing at the Bulacan Regional Trial Court on the carnapping case she filed against Raymond Dominguez, the alleged leader of the “Dominguez Group.”
Rojas was reportedly on her way home and had just boarded a passenger jeepney when a lone gunman sat in front of her and shot her on the head.
The killer casually walked towards a waiting motorcycle and fled.
Bulacan police director Senior Superintendent Fernando H. Mendez has ordered a manhunt for the killer.
He said police are still investigating if the motive is connected to the case the victim filed against Dominguez.
The victim filed a carnapping case against Dominguez after her Toyota Fortuner was stolen on February 2010.
Raymond Dominguez and his brother Roger are both in jail for the case on the killing of car dealers Venson Evangelista and Emerson Lozano.
The brothers were implicated by star witness Alfredo Mendoza alias “Bading.”
City police chief Superintendent David N. Poklay said they already have leads on the case but cannot just disclose it at the moment pending on-going operations.
The killing of Rojas transpired several hours after four suspected remnants of the Dominguez Group were killed in a shootout with operatives of the Highway Patrol Group in Meycauayan City early Thursday morning.
Police are still hunting other members of the gang who may have escaped during the encounter. (PNA)
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Gun-for-hire gang leader falls in Bulacan
PAOMBONG, Bulacan, Jan. 13 (PNA) - Police arrested an alleged leader of a notorious gun-for-hire gang and his cohort, who were out to assassinate a businesswoman, during an operation in Barangay San Roque here Thursday morning.
Bulacan police director Senior Superintendent Fernando H. Mendez Jr., identified the arrested suspects as Victor Relucio, 39, married and Jimmy Lising, married; both residents of Barangay Sta. Barbara, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija.
Another cohort identified as Rolando dela Cruz, managed to elude arrest, Mendez said.
He said Relucio is the leader of the dreaded “Relucio Group” based in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija whose members were involved in robberies and gun-for-hire activities.
It was also found out that Relucio has two pending warrants of arrest issued by Honorable Angelo C. Perez of Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 27, Cabanatuan City dated October 22, 2010, for the crimes of carnapping and robbery under criminal case nos. 19101 and 19100, respectively.
The group’s areas of operation are the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Isabela and Cavite.
Mendez said that last Tuesday, one Emilia Santos, 45, businesswoman and a resident of Barangay San Roque, went to the Paombong police station and reported that there were three suspicious looking persons who came to her store and ordered two “bilaos” of spaghetti and palabok to be picked-up at Thursday.
Mendez said Santos also stated that in the past few days, she noticed that some unidentified men were watching the store and even took photographs of her and her employees.
He said that the Paombong police headed by Chief Inspector Victor Bernabe and the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office under Supt. Edwin Quilates conducted a stake-out operation that resulted in the arrest of the two suspects.
Police seized a Colt Compact Commander caliber .45 pistol with serial number 251786, one magazine assembly and seven rounds of live ammunition, two plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu”, three Nokia cellular phones, one bag containing clothes and one Motorstar motorcycle.
During the investigation, the arrested suspects admitted that they were hired by a certain Lucy Pangan of Barangay Pinalagdan, Paombong town to kill Emilia Santos in the amount of P100,000 as she was being accused as a paramour of her husband.
The suspects disclosed that they already received P10,000 from Pangan as initial payment.
A case of attempted murder was filed against Pangan, Dela Cruz, Relucio and Lising.
Cases for violations of PD 1866 as amended by RA 8294 and Section 11 Article II of RA 9165 were also filed against Relucio and Lising before the Office of Provincial Prosecutors, City of Malolos, Bulacan and were docketed under I.S. No. III-04-INQ-12A-00042.
The arrested suspects are presently detained at the municipal jail of Paombong town. (PNA)
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Bulacan town's no. 1 most wanted criminal falls
PANDI, Bulacan, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- After seven years into hiding, police finally arrested the town’s number one fugitive during an operation in Barangay Cacarong Tuesday afternoon.
Bulacan police director Senior Superitendent Fernando H. Mendez Jr., identified the arrested fugitive as Pedro de Castro, 61, resident of Barangay Malibong Matanda in this town.
Mendez said Pandi policemen under chief inspector Sabino Vengco III arrested De Castro on the strength of a warrant of arrest for murder (criminal case no. 134-M-2006) issued by Bulacan Regional Trial Court Judge Victoria Villalon-Pornillos on October 11, 2006.
He said De Castro was responsible for the death of Clemente Birgino in Barangay Cacarong on December 28, 2005.
According to witnesses, the victim and the suspect had a heated argument regarding a land ownership issue.
In the course of the argument, the suspect took out a gun and shot the victim dead.
Mendez said the suspect is listed as the number one most wanted person in Pandi town.
The accused was temporarily detained at the Pandi Municipal Jail for documentation and will be turned over to the court for proper disposition. (PNA)
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Reward for Palparan’s capture raised to P1M
MANILA, Jan. 5 (PNA) -- The reward for the capture of fugitive former Bantay party-list representative and retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. has been increased to P1 million.
In a press conference on Thursday, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima announced that she and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo decided to raise the monetary reward from P500,000 to P1 million for any significant information that would lead to the capture of Palparan.
”We have good leads in the search for the general (Palparan). We want to make sure that Palparan will be captured the soonest possible time,” De Lima said.
”Because, pag lalo pang tumagal ito (search for Palparan), baka mas lalong lumabo,” De Lima added.
Malolos City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 Presiding Judge Teodora Gonzales had earlier issued an arrest warrant against Palparan, M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario who is also at-large, and Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado and S/Sgt. Edgardo Osorio for kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges in connection with the abduction of still missing University of the Philippines students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan.
Empeno and Cadapan were allegedly abducted in Hagonoy, Bulacan on June 26, 2006. They have been missing since then. (PNA)
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Two suspected carnappers killed in Pampanga
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Jan. 3 (PNA) - Policemen killed a suspected leader of a carnapping/extortionist gang and one of his cohorts during a running gun battle along the national highway in Barangay Pansinao, Candaba town, on Monday.
Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, Pampanga police provincial director, identified the slain suspects as Romeo Guinto, alias Bong Guinto, alleged leader of Guinto carnapping group and his cohort Joey dela Cruz, both residents of Barangay Candading, Arayat town.
Tinio said that while the Candaba police are conducting checkpoint along a road in Barangay Pasig, Candaba town, they flagged two men who were still unidentified at that time, riding on motorcycles.
The two drivers Guinto and Dela Cruz ignored the policemen and instead sped away, Tinio said.
This prompted the policemen to launch a hot pursuit against the suspects until their motorcycles slumped on the ditch of the road in Barangay Pansinao.
The suspects, Tinio said, drew their guns - a .38 caliber revolver and an improvised shotgun - and fired toward the lawmen.
He said that the police team returned fire, hitting the two suspects on the different parts of the body.
Both of the suspects were taken to a nearby hospital but were declared dead on arrival by attending doctors.
The slain suspects were believed to be engaged in carnapping, illegal drugs, robbery, extortion and gun-for-hire operating in Pampanga, Bulacan and Angeles City .
The suspects were also responsible for the killing of a certain Peter Maliwat on Dec. 25, 2011 in Sta. Ana town, the police said.(PNA)
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