2 wanted persons for murder arrested

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
January 24, 2012

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  PNP PRO8 scored again in fighting criminal elements in the region as its operatives hauled to jail two notorious suspects for Murder.

A wanted person was collared by Capoocan Police led by SPO4 Felipe Perante on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at Sitio 77, Barangay San Joaquin, Capoocan, Leyte.

Arrested person was identified as Gregorio Olila Mollare alias “Euterio Arcilla’ and “Gringo”, 60 years old, widow, jobless and a resident of said place. He was arrested by virtue of the warrant of arrest issued by Honorable Crisostomo L Garrido, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 13, Carigara, Leyte for the Crime of Murder docketed under CC number RTC-2011-132CR and was immediately brought to Capoocan Police Station for documentation prior turn-over to the court of origin.

Another murder suspect was arrested on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at Barangay Jinatad, Catarman, Northern Samar by the joint elements of Catarman Police led by PCInsp Federico N Sanchez, Chief Of Police and some members of Philippine Army led by PFC Bernard Handog.

Suspect was identified as one Marlon de Guia Eroma, 30 years old, married and a resident of said place. He was arrested by virtue of WOA issued by Hon. Alama Consuelo Desales Esidera, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 20, Catarman, Northern Samar for the Crime of Murder docketed under CC number 5017. Subject person was brought to Catarman Police Station for proper disposition prior turn-over to the court of origin.

PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome declares that the PNP will continue to hunt down wanted personalities and let them answer for their crimes in the courts of law. “At the end of the day, they must pay for the crimes they committed and allow justice be accorded to the victims”, he added.

Visayas provincial legislators confab puts premium on education and employment concerns as subjects of legislation

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 24, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The 7th Visayas Island Conference of the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines on January 30 to February 1 will put premium on education and employment programs as subject of legislation, Board Member Henry A. Bacurnay, Jr., PBLP President, informed.

BM Bacurnay said that this activity forms part of the major activities of PBMLP in furtherance of the 21st National Convention theme, “Engaging the PBMLP into the Mainstream of National Policy-Making Thru Thematic Concerns.”

Putting premium on legislation-specific subjects such as Education and Employment is the very essence of the PBMLP roadmap, BM Bacurnay added.

The 7th Visayas Island Conference of the PBMLP which is set to be conducted at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug, Cebu City, will be attended by all provincial board members from Western, Central and Eastern Visayas regions.

The Conference proper will be conducted on the first day, January 30, with Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Transportation and Communication as the Keynote Speaker.

Secretary Roxas, who is the author of Republic Act 8759 otherwise known as the Public Employment Service Office Act of 1999, will tackle the PESO as the viable mechanism for local employment generation.

On the second day, several important topics will be discussed by the prominent national officials. DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz will present the thrusts and programs of the Aquino Administration in the provincial government level.

Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, will present the issue on interfacing for skills­ building, livelihood and employment generation: TESDA-Provincial Council Partnership.

Moreover, Ms. Elizabeth Alonzo, president of PESO Philippines Federation will discuss the topic The PESOs at the Philippines: Towards a Uniting Role in Local Employment Generation and Livelihood Creation.

The fourth presentor, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla was invited to discuss the topic Educational Institutions - Corporations Matching Initiatives: Some insights from the Partner-Business Sectors.

Preliminary works now ongoing for MCC road project in Samar

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 21, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Preliminary works are now ongoing for the Secondary National Roads Development Project (SNRDP) under the Philippine Compact with Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Engr. Rene Galapon of the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 8, who is the Project Engineer, informed the Philippine Information Agency that environmental and social impact assessment is now ongoing.

The initial environmental Examination is scheduled to be completed in March of 2012 while the environmental impact assessment will be completed by June of 2012, Engr. Galapon disclosed.

Also ongoing is the road engineering design. The project has two design packages, Engr. Galapon explained. Package A, which is from Wright-Taft-Sulat, ending at the boundary of Taft and San Julian, is being handled by Tetra Tech in association with PTCC Engineers and TCGI Engineers.

Package B, on the other hand, from San Julian to Guiuan, is handled by Gauff Engenierre in association with Schema Consult.

In addition, the resettlement work is also ongoing. The Project Affected Parties (PAPs) were briefed about the project and compensation cut of date was publicly announced during the Public Scoping in Borongan last year. The tagging process for properties that will be affected by the project was completed in September. The Preparation of Resettlement Action Plans are ongoing, first action plan is expected to be completed in March 2012 and the implementation of which is expected to start in March of 2012.

For the construction work, the first construction package is expected to start by September 2012, Engr. Galapon added.

Engr. Galapon explained that although the DPWH is the implementing agency for the SNRDP, an accountable entity, the MCC Account-Philippines or MCA-Philippines was created to ensure the judicious and transparent use of the $434-million grant from Millennium Challenge Corporation of the US Government.

“MCA-P is the Philippine corporation created to supervise and manage the implementation of the projects, including $214 million for the SNRDP,” Engr. Galapon said.

NGO partners given key role

Allaying fears of possible corruption in the roads project, Engr. Galapon said that reflective of its policy of transparency, accountability and inclusiveness, Millennium Challenge Account-Philippines (MCA-P) has mandated representatives from the private sector, non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and local and regional government beneficiaries to help in the implementation of anti-poverty projects to be funded by the $434-million grant from the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

At least five (5) from the so-called NGO Sector were elected to MCA-P’s Board of Trustees, three of whom are voting members and two are non-voting, while seven (7) others are members of the Stakeholders Committee.

The three voting Board members from the NGO Sector are Fr. Cesar Aculan of Samar Partnership for Peace and Development; Atty. Cesar B. Yu Jr. of Zuellig Family Foundation; and Veronica Villavicencio of Peace and Equity Foundation. The two non-voting Board members are Edgar Comeros of PPVC Cebu and Marietta Paragas of Cordillera Network, both of whom are members of and were nominated by the Stakeholders Committee.

SNRDP scope

The Secondary National Roads Development Project (SNRDP) involves the rehabilitation of a 220-kilometer road in the Samar Island, one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines. Beginning at the junction of Pan Philippine Highway and Buray (Wright) in Western Samar and passing along mountainous terrain to Taft, Engr. Galapon further said.

From Taft, it continues southward along the coastline of Eastern Samar ending in Guiuan, passing through a total of 15 municipalities. The roads project is expected to accrue economic benefits by lowering vehicle operating costs, and saving the time of Filipinos living near the roads thus enabling them to have greater access to commercial activities as well as to their basic needs. Engr. Galapon explained.

The project involves the construction/rehabilitation of existing roads and bridges that includes widening, drainage installation and other road safety improvements. The project recognizes DPWH standard right-of-way limit, the DPWH engineer added.

However, in an attempt to minimize disruption to the inhabitants and users along the road, the right-of-way shall be limited to the construction limits, which is estimated at this time to have a width spanning the existing road width plus approximately 2-3 meters on each side of the existing pavement.

Prior to the start of construction, the required right-of-way limit will be established to determine the actual land and improvements that will be affected.

The Project-Affected Parties (PAPs) will be duly notified and will have access to compensation in accordance with applicable laws and eligibility criteria, Engr. Galapon continued.

SNRDP Objectives

Engr. Galapon informed that the primary objective of the project is to help improve the living conditions of the people of Samar. With more accessible and safer roads, people will have more socio-economic opportunities because of reduced transport time and cost.

The farmers will be able to transport their produce in less time to the urban markets. The people from the rural areas will have more opportunity for employment and education in the urban center.

In addition, the people living in rural areas will have faster and better access to health care, especially in cases of emergency.

The project also will generate employment opportunities as skilled and unskilled workers will be required during construction and rehabilitation, Engr. Galapon said.

NPA terrorizes Lapinig town, kills the mayor’s security detail and wounds an innocent civilian

By 34th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
January 20, 2012

PALAPAG, Northern Samar  –  Despite the action taken by the government troops to promote the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” designed to encourage peace and development to far flung and depressed communities, sixty fully-armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) under Renato Ribay alyas Bata/Manoy/Rinay and the group of alyas Demet deliberately attacked the peaceful town of Lapinig, Northern Samar at 6:30 in the evening of January 20, 2012.

Initial report reaching this headquarters, the terrorists commandeered one dump truck owned by Yakal Construction at Sitio Takras, Poblacion del Sur, Lapinig proceeded towards the northern portion of the town and established roadblock, laid Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) landmines at the center of the road and hostage the passing innocent civilians and motorists and divested them of their belongings. While some of the CTs went inside the houses, pointed their guns to the occupants including women and children and forcibly took away their cellular phones and other valuable belongings.

The communist terrorists (CTs) proceeded to the house of Mayor Romualdo D. Menzon to abduct the latter. However, they were repulsed by Aurelio Jullata, the Mayor’s security detail who immediately and bravely engaged them killing one of the assaulting CTs but due to the latter’s evil intention, butchered the defending security.  Sensing that the Mayor’s house is heavily defended by the other security details which were occupying vantage positions, the CTs forcibly entered the residence of Romeo Senobio Jr which is next to the Mayor’s house, looted his house and shot him in cold-blood, hitting him in the head and back.  Likewise, they also entered the house of PO3 Rowena Opena, disarmed her, ransacked her house, and forcibly dragged her outside and mauled her in full view of her neighbors including children.

Other members of the attacking CTs went to the Lapinig Municipal Police Station (MPS) and announced through a megaphone for the Police inside to surrender.  However, the police personnel were already at their defensive positions and refused to surrender.  Sensing that they (the CTs) already lost the element of surprise and that the civilians were shouting at them, they hastily left the MPS and withdrew towards Barangay Imelda of same municipality bringing along with them their dead and wounded comrades on-board same dump truck and two motorcycles.

It can be recalled that the use of landmines is explicitly banned by the United Nations Conventions since most of its casualties were civilians but the terrorist New People’s Army (NPA) persistently and blatantly employs landmines thereby severely endangering the lives and limbs of civilians especially women and children alike.

As of press time, government troops were scouring the area in order to clear said municipality from CT remnants and landmines and to protect the people.

Barangay LGUs urged to tap 70% out of 5% calamity fund for disaster preparedness

By BONG PEDALINO, PIA Southern Leyte
January 20, 2012

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte  –  Under the new law that governs disaster risk reduction and management even right at the barangay level, two-thirds out of the 5% budget intended for calamity fund can be used for pro-active, disaster-related preparations.

But first, these preparedness activities must be outlined in the Annual Disaster Plan (ADP), said Jason Calva, Consultant on a special project that used the power of cellular phones to warn people in selected nine towns and one city around the province of an impending tragedy mostly caused by nature.

The project, officially called Strengthening Disaster Preparedness using SMS technology, was financed by the World Bank and fully supported by Smart Communications and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

During the cable TV program “Action Center” Wednesday where he was the guest, Calva said the project which began in the last quarter of 2010 was about to end in June this year, and plans were already laid out to sustain it and roll it over to other towns not previously covered.

Calva said Smart Communications provided cell phones with one hundred pesos worth of free monthly electronic loads to fifty barangays chosen as pilot areas, and concerns were raised as to where to get funds for these loads once the project will be over.

It was at this point where Calva revealed a financial resource in the form of 70% out of the 5% calamity fund in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of the barangay.

As example, he said that a barangay with an annual IRA of P1 Million has P50,000 budget representing 5% calamity fund, and 70% out of this budget was P35,000, a fund that can well provide for P100 monthly load, or P1,200 a year, as part of disaster preparedness, among other activities.

The remaining 30% or P15,000 based on the example given will be reserved for the actual use of relief operations when a disaster does happen, but a declaration of a state of calamity must be done first before this money can be used, Calva further explained.

UN Official: Philippine Law on Anti-Corporal Punishment could be First in Asia

Press Release
January 20, 2012

QUEZON CITY  –  The Anti-Corporal Punishment Bill recently passed in the House of Representatives but is still pending at the Senate could be first in the entire Asia, a visiting UN official said during her dialogue with children and the child rights advocates in Manila today.

According to Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, the proposed legislation could be first in the entire Asia should the Philippine Congress pass it this year.  During the event, Marta said that she is going to speak about her visit in the Philippines during the UN meeting on violence against children in Geneva set March this year.

“I will mention my visit in Manila and tell them that the Philippines is one of the most important countries where I had a dialogue with the children themselves and heard their recommendations on how to eliminate violence among them,” said Marta.

She added, “I will also tell them that a law on anti-corporal punishment has been passed in the House of Representatives but is still pending in the Senate.  I will also tell them that the bill needs to be passed as quickly as possible.”

House Bill 4455 titled “Promoting Positive Discipline of Children and Prohibiting Corporal Punishment Act” authored by Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon Party List and Rep. Susan Yap of 2nd District of Tarlac was passed in 2011. The bill seeks to promote positive discipline techniques in all settings, including the home and institutions.

During the dialogue, children shared their situation and expressed their hope to be protected from all forms of abuse.  One participant, a street child, laments the kind of treatment they experience inside temporary shelters where they are placed after being “rescued.” He said that they are treated like criminals when they are not; they are restricted as if they are in jail and are not allowed to play like children do. To make matters worse, these shelter staff orders older children to physically punish the younger ones.

He said, “ang trato po sa amin ay parang ganon na rin sa mga matatandang nagkakasala na nakakulong.”

Meanwhile, the Child Rights Network (CRN), a coalition of non-government and civil society organizations expressed hope that that the consultation and the recommendations gathered from various sectors will reach the proper authorizes through the United Nations.

Ms. Wilma Bañaga, Child Protection Adviser of Save the Children, CRN member said, “we hope that these recommendations will not fall on deaf ears and that our lawmakers and the concerned agencies will seriously consider enacting laws, strictly implementing existing laws, and establishing mechanisms to eliminate violence against children.

Illegal fishers arrested

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
January 20, 2012

CAMP RUPERTO KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte  –  In pursuit of the Philippine National Police “Makakalikasan” core value, PRO8 fully supports Republic Act 8550, an act providing for the development, management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources, integrating all laws pertinent thereto, and for other resources.

According to PSSupt Elizar P Egloso, Chief, Regional Police Community Relations Division, although fishing is one of the oldest human occupations, it is still carefully monitored and controlled in order to use natural resources most efficiently.

Upon heeding this call, at about 2:30PM on January 17, 2012, Merida Police led by PInsp Florando Sevilla Relente, Chief of Police, apprehended one Ferdinand Gica Ignacio and Boyet Caleb Ignacio, both of legal age, single, residents of Barangay Bantigue, Isabel, Leyte. The two were caught engaging in illegal fishing within the sanctuary of Barangay Benabaye, Merida, Leyte using a “spear” locally known as “pana”.

Suspects were immediately brought to the Police Station together with their fishing paraphernalia for safekeeping. But then, they were released later from police custody after posting the amount of P500 each under OR number 4967580 and 4967581 for violation of Municipal Fishery Ordinance Number 2, Series of 2003.

And on the 18th of January at 7:30AM, at the sea waters of Dulag, Leyte, elements of Dulag Police led by PSI Alberto Redubla Renomeron, Jr., together with the Bantay Dagat Team and a representative from the Department of Agriculture, while conducting seaborne patrol operation at said place, they were able to apprehend Manday Cinco Perez, of legal age, Boat Captain of F/B Victoria Fishing boat together with fifteen (15) crew engaging in illegal fishing locally known as “hulbot-hulbot”. It was learned that said fishing boat is owned by Boy Lotoc of Tacloban City.

Confiscated from their possession and control were (2) stainless roller ring. Subject apprehended persons together with the evidences seized were brought to Dulag Police Station for proper disposition.

Egloso reiterates, fishing generally requires a license/permit and is allowed only on certain distance from the seashore and fine mesh nets are prohibited by law. A breach of any of these regulations constitutes illegal fishing, he said.

Local officials exonerate soldiers in Northern Samar

By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
January 19, 2012

CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan City  –  Local officials of Barangays San Miguel, Las Navas and Barangay Osang, Catubig both in Northern Samar executed an affidavit exonerating the involvement of soldiers in the death of a certain Jovito Pajanustan, a local resident of Barangay Osang. The document was signed by the local officials led by Barangay Chairmen Apolinario B Libico of San Miguel and Aniano D Rosco of Osang last December 26, 2011 as fact-finding teams visited the site where the dead body was found on November 28. The local officials came up with the declaration to dispel the unjust rumour of involvement spread by some interest groups in every civilian death in the locality.

Initial investigation by the PNP Catubig as contained in the report of Police Inspector Ildefonso V Miranda Jr. on November 29 states that “the victim left his house alone on November 25, 2011 at around 3:00 o’ clock in the afternoon purposely to work at his farm and never returned home until the time that he was found dead buried in a shallow grave in the state of advance decomposition with multiple stabbing and hacking wounds on the different parts of his body by his relative inside the vicinity of his farm at around 2:00 o’ clock in the afternoon of November 28, 2011.” The PNP report also states that the cadaver of the victim was brought by his relative to Catubig District Hospital for Autopsy Examination. The local PNP unit has yet to determine the identity of the suspect and the motive for the crime.

The Municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas have been known for notorious killings. Residents in both municipalities attest to the very extensive control of illegally-armed and politicized groups in the area. The mortal wounds sustained by Mr. Pajanustan are reminiscent of the style of attack by these outlaws on soldiers doing community work in the barangays. Traders and government workers are the usual victims of these threat groups since they intend to keep the local populace isolated from development efforts by agencies of the National Government.