Police Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio
Soria identified them as Samuel Magali Cuba, 38, listed as the number
11 most wanted criminal of Alang-alang, Leyte and Francisco Goña
Ortillo Jr., 32, ranked 2 on the list of most wanted persons in Basey,
Samar.
“RSOG was activated not only to conduct police operations against all
forms of illegal activities in the region but also to arrest criminals
focusing on those included in the Most Wanted Persons list”, Soria
said.
Cuba is charged with murder and was arrested based on an arrest
warrant issued by Hon. Judge Frisco T. Lilagan of Regional Trial Court
Branch 34 in Tacloban City docketed under Criminal Case No.
2008-07-361 with no bail recommended. RSOG operatives led by Police
Senior Inspector Dinvir Revita accosted him near his house at Sitio
Manantas, Brgy. Dapdap, Alang-Alang, Leyte.
Meanwhile, Ortillo, also charged for murder, was arrested by RSOG
inside the Tolosa Cockpit Arena in Tolosa, Leyte while he was betting
in a cockfight. An arrest warrant issued by Judge Agerico Avila of
the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Basey, Samar was used by the
police in arresting the suspect. Avila did not recommend any bailbond
for Ortillo’s temporary liberty. It was learned that Ortillo
transferred from Basey, Samar to Brgy. Camote, Dulag, Leyte after the
perpetration of the crime and went into hiding for 3 years until he
was finally caught.
Both accused were turned over to the courts of origin for proper
disposition, Soria added.
The region’s top cop
renewed his call for citizens to help the police arrest more wanted
criminals in the region by providing timely information that will lead
to the neutralization of the law violators. “We will continue to
arrest wanted criminals as we move forward together in keeping our
communities safe,” Soria said.
SELDA's response to
Aquino's recent statement on compensation to martial law victims
By SELDA
November 6, 2012
QUEZON CITY –
The Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA)
today welcomes with guarded enthusiasm, President Benigno “Noynoy”
Aquino’s recent statements at the ASEM meeting in Laos to compensate
victims of martial law.
“We have waited for this far
too long now and President Noynoy Aquino has in fact mentioned this as
one of his priority bills in last year’s SONA, but until now, this is
yet to be realized,” said Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Chairperson of Selda.
“We are hopeful that with this current pronouncement, the bill to
compensate the victims will finally be enacted into a law.”
The human rights group
clarified that not all of the $680 million Marcos Swiss deposit will
go to the victims and that only one-third will be used for the
compensation; and this is the equivalent of P10B. “We recognize that
the money is for the Filipinos and that it must be utilized for land
reform. We only asked for a small portion of Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth
for compensation,” Enriquez stated.
SELDA only wishes that the
victims will no longer be made to wait more than they have already
done. Furthermore, the human rights group urged the Senate to pass a
bill that would reflect the voice of the victims and remove provisions
inimical to the interests of the victims.
SELDA has been lobbying for
the Senate to revise and pass SB 2615. The Committee on Justice and
Human Rights said it is still awaiting the comments of Senator Joker
Arroyo on the bill before they submit it for plenary debates at the
Senate. The House version was passed on March 21, 2012.
SELDA Chairperson, Marie
Enriquez, brought the bill’s status to the attention of the United
Nation’s Human Rights Council in September as well as the Human Rights
Committee in October both in Geneva, urging the said bodies to remind
the Philippine government of its commitment to compensate the martial
law victims. In her oral intervention at the September Human Rights
Council session at the adoption of the Philippine UPR report, Enriquez
“particularly took note of Switzerland’s UPR recommendation to
compensate the victims of martial law” especially since the Swiss
government has already transferred the US$680M Marcos Swiss deposits
in favor of the Philippine government in 1997 yet.
SELDA asserts that
compensation to human rights violations victims like the martial law
victims is a component of justice that is enshrined in the UN
instruments as well as in the Philippine Constitution. Thus, the
victims’ demand for indemnification are just and the portion of the
funds that Marcos stashed in Swiss banks and have been transferred by
the Swiss government rightfully belong to them.
SELDA will be watching and
will continue to press for the government to deliver on its promise.
PRO8 urges gun
owners to renew licenses
By RPCRD, Police Regional
Office 8
November 5, 2012
CAMP SEC. RUPERTO K.
KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – The Police Regional Office 8 is advising gun
owners whose licenses have expired to immediately renew their licenses
or face possible arrest and prosecution as it is intensifying the
operation against loose firearms in the region.
Police Chief Superintendent
Elmer Ragadio Soria, PRO8 regional director, issued an ultimatum to
gun owners with expired gun licenses to renew and avail of legitimate
permit to carry and gun permit at home.
“The day the license
expired, the firearm is considered loose weapon. Individuals with
expired firearm licenses must renew them or face the wrath of the
law”, Soria said, adding that they may end up being targets of search
warrants and face appropriate charges not to mention stiffer penalties
especially during election period.
Soria disclosed that notices
are being sent to delinquent firearms’ holders advising them to renew
their licenses on a specified date. If the notice is ignored, they
will be forced to declare these firearms as loose weapons and apply
for search warrants that will allow them to raid the house of
concerned firearms’ holders and charged them with criminal cases in
court.
Records at the regional
firearms and license division showed that there are 19,721 registered
firearms in the region and 10, 025 firearms have expired licenses.
The PNP regional chief
informed that PRO8 launched a reinvigorated campaign against loose
firearms as contained in “Kontra Boga - Waray” as part of the
operational plans to ensure peace and order during the 2013 mid-term
elections. The plan reinforces existing gun control and proliferation
measures and focused on confiscating and seizing firearms from
criminal elements and threat groups through the stepped-up enforcement
of checkpoints, “Oplan Sita”, “Oplan Bakal”, service of warrants and
internal security operations.
Soria added that this move
to disarm potential troublemakers is part of their effort to have a
Secure and Fair Elections 2013 (SAFE 2013), the PNP program to keep
the elections safe and orderly and in support of the peace and order
directive of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in preparation for
the 2013 midterm elections.
Laying the groundwork for a
SAFE 2013, Soria ordered police units to step-up operations to account
for more loose firearms proliferating in the region to minimize
violence during the May 2013 elections and urged gun owners to renew
their expired licenses.
“Gun ownership bears
responsibility to possess with proper license and documents”, the
region’s top cop added.
Requirements for application
for renewal of individual firearms license includes the photocopies of
old firearm license; appointment/retirement order for government
employees; subscribed application form with 2 pieces 2x2 picture with
white background; Special Bank Receipt (SBR) from Land Bank of the
Philippines showing payment for records authentication, gun safety
fee, firearm license fee, surcharge and arrears if any; Order of
Payment (OP) for ID Card, Firearms bond and reactivation fee and the
Gun Safety Seminar Certificate.
Applications may be filed
with the Firearms and Explosives, Security Agencies and Guard
Supervision (FESAGS) Office of the Regional Operations and Plans
Division (ROPD) of Police Regional Office 8 in Camp Kangleon, Campetic,
Palo, Leyte.
|
Police
Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria (left), PRO8 Regional
Director with officers of Northern Samar PPO during his
inspection at Looc and Dapdap Ports in Allen, Northern Samar. |
"Undas" observance
generally peaceful, prayerful – Soria
By RPCRD, Police Regional
Office 8
November 2, 2012
CAMP SEC. RUPERTO K.
KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – “The regionwide observance of
‘undas’ or All Saints Day and All Souls Day, was generally peaceful,"
Police Regional Office 8 director Police Chief Superintendent Elmer Ragadio Soria said.
"There are no major
incidents reported during the period except in some cases wherein our
policemen confiscated bladed weapons and liquors at cemetery
entrances", Soria disclosed.
Close to 5,000 policemen
have been tasked to man Police Assistance Hubs and checkpoints aside
from conducting foot and mobile patrol that ensured the safety of
cemetery-goers while they pay their respects to their departed
relatives, as well as commuters, he added.
He credited this to the help
extended by the police's force multipliers, among them members of
different communication groups, anti-crime and other civic groups
including the Barangay Peace-keeping Action Teams (BPATs) and barangay
tanods which were mobilized to help lawmen maintain peace and order
and direct traffic.
The police official also
thanked the media for the information dissemination to the public on
the prohibition on bringing bladed weapons and liquor to cemeteries.
Soria went around personally
supervising the security efforts by his men and was impressed with the
generally peaceful atmosphere, including the smooth flow of traffic.
On Wednesday, the Regional
Director went to Allen, Northern Samar to ensure security preparations
at Looc and Dapdap ferry terminals while during the All Saints Day and
All Souls Day, he inspected established checkpoints and Police
Assistance Hubs in Catholic cemeteries in Brgys. Basper and El Reposo;
Leyte Catholic Cemetery and Superior Memorial Park in along the
Maharlika Highway in Brgy. Diit; Holy Cross Memorial Park also in Brgy.
Basper and the Chinese Cemetery, all in Tacloban City.
The Regional Director also
inspected shopping malls and motorists' assistance centers in
different parts of the city.
While lawmen focused on
security measures in cemeteries during "undas", Soria said policemen
will now be tasked to ensure the safety of the public specially those
who are leaving the region. These include employees and students who
will head back to their work and schools, respectively, after the
holiday, he said.
DOE conducts
consultations on Philippine Energy Plan in Eastern Visayas
By Philippine Information
Agency (PIA 8)
November 2, 2012
PALO, Leyte –
The Department of Energy is set to conduct at the Leyte Oriental Hotel
on November 7, a consultation on the 2013-2030 Philippine Energy Plan.
DOE Visayas Regional
Director Antonio Labios through Ms. Lourdes Arciaga, the corporate
information officer said that the DOE has formulated the 2012-2030
Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) to be launched in December 2012, in time
for the annual celebration of the National Energy Consciousness Month
(NECM).
The Plan was formulated as
the agency recognized that the long gestation periods of energy
projects and investments, and that energy, as a valuable commodity,
has a direct impact on the country’s economic growth.
The PEP, by developing and
utilizing renewable energy like hydro, geothermal, solar, wind,
biomass and ocean energy, will highlight the policy vision of an
economy which will become largely decarbonized.
This, with the DOE taking
the lead in promoting energy efficiency as a lifestyle, and advocating
the use of alternative fuels for the transport sector.
The plan also aims to
scale-up energy efficiency investments in both private and public
sectors to generate more energy savings as well as envisioning to
accelerate the development and production of indigenous fossil fuels
to further curb the country's energy demand. It also aims to
climate-proof the energy system to help ensure they continue to
provide energy services under all impacts of climate change.
Considering factors such as
a 10.0 percent target energy savings across all economic sectors –
transport, industry, residential, commercial and agriculture; an
increase in the number of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-fed buses and
possible introduction of CNG taxis, electric vehicles; and higher
application of biofuel blends (biodiesel and bioethanol), the Energy
Department has also simulated the energy needs of the country over the
next 20 years.
Prior to the publication of
the PEP, the Energy Department is set to conduct a nationwide
consultations and Information, Education and Communication activities
to inform the energy stakeholders.
The first consultation for
the Visayas will be held in Tacloban City for Region 8 on November 7,
Director Labios informed. For Region 7, the consultations will be held
in Tagbilaran on November 15, while for Region 6, it will be held in
Roxas City on November 22.
Recognizing the fact that
different island groups have unique energy issues and concerns, the
DOE will be drafting energy plans for Visayas, North and South Luzon.
61 potential
leaders reared in Tabango, Leyte
By 19th Infantry Battalion,
8ID PA
November 2, 2012
TABANGO, Leyte –
Some 61 participants of the Youth Leadership Summit held at Tabango,
Leyte were cited future leaders by the newly installed commander of
Ormoc based 802nd Infantry Brigade during the closing ceremony on
Wednesday, October 31, 2012.
Col. Rafael C. Valencia who
took over command of 802nd Infantry Brigade on Sunday, October 29 was
guest of honor and speaker on the fourth Youth Leadership Summit
facilitated by the 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion and DepEd
Alternative Learning System in the province of Leyte this year.
Col. Valencia was amazed on
how the participants were transformed in just three days of leadership
and team building activities.
In his message, he stressed
that peace should be nurtured from the youth being the hope of the
nation.
He likewise commends the
untiring support of the LGU Tabango and the perennial backing of DepEd
Alternative Learning System to 19IB.
The 19th Infantry (Commando)
Battalion under Lt. Col. Joel Alejandro S. Nacnac had gone through
intensive inter-agency coordination prior to the conduct of the Youth
Leadership Summit.
Since he assumed command of
19IB, four Youth Leadership Summits had been conducted in the province
of Leyte.
“I hope that the
participants we have today will see themselves working for peace and
development in their communities”, Nacnac deliberately stressed.
BFAD in Eastern
Visayas takes step to recall Korean noodles from the local market
By Philippine Information
Agency (PIA 8)
November 2, 2012
TACLOBAN CITY –
The Bureau of Foods and Drugs of the Department of Health in Eastern Visayas has recently stated the conduct and inspections of groceries
and malls in Tacloban City in order to monitor and recall Korean
noodles contaminated with Benzopyrene from the local market.
Mr. Francis Germano of BFAD
8 said that BFAD OIC Baby Castillote and Ms. Delia Pestano went on an
inspection mission on October 31, in compliance with the Philippine
government’s product recall to six Korean Noodles products found by
the Korean FDA to contain Benzopyrene, a chemical with carcinogenic
potential.
The list of identified
noodle products are: Nongshim Neoguri (Hot) with expiration dates for
final products of 12.10.11 and 12.11.11; Nongshim Neoguri (Hot) Multi.
Expiration dates: 12.10.11 and 12.11.11; Nongshim Neoguri (Mild).
Expiration Dates: 12.10.28 and 12.11.17; Nongshim Big Bowl Noodle
Shrimp. Expiration Dates: 12.11.4, 12.11.29, 13.1.10, and 13.1.30;
Nongshim Saengsaeng Udon Bowl Noodle. Expiration Dates: 12.9.30 and
12.10.22; and Nongshim Saengsaeng Udon with Expiration Dates: 12.8.28
and 12.10.8.
These Korean noodles were
recalled by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) on October
25, 2012.
Meanwhile, FDA has conducted
tests to ensure if the noodles or ramen, identified to be manufactured
by Nong Shim Co. Ltd., are really contaminated with the said compound.
This was after the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) ordered
pullout of these products from their market shelves due to
contamination of benzopyrene.
After several tests which
proved that the noodles were contaminated with the cancer-causing
compound, the FDA orders immediate recall of these products from
Philippine market.
The BFAD called on the
public to refrain from buying the products and to report to the BFAD
if these brands are still in the market. For those who have bought the
products, they are advised to dispose of them as they are not fit for
consumption.
According to the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxicity and Exposure Assessment
for Children’s Health (TEACH), benzopyrene is “a polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbon (PAH) that is a byproduct of incomplete combustion or
burning of organic items, e.g., cigarettes, gasoline, and wood, and is
commonly found with other PAHs in cigarette smoke, in grilled and
broiled foods, and as a by-product of many industrial processes.”
The US EPA classifies
benzopyrene as a probable human carcinogen based on studies in several
adult animal species demonstrating that the substance can increase the
incidence of tumors.
Rotary Club backs
three-day Youth Leadership Summit in Ormoc
By 19th Infantry Battalion,
8ID PA
November 1, 2012
ORMOC CITY – A
total of 93 juveniles from the villages of Cabintan, Gaas, Liberty and
Lake Danao this city has successfully completed the three-day Youth
Leadership Summit on Sunday, October 28, 2012.
The summit which was held at
Eastern Visayas State University was facilitated by 19th Infantry
(Commando) Battalion and the DepEd Alternative Learning System with
the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Ormoc City.
Majority of the participants
are out of school youth while others are officials of the Sangguniang
Kabataan.
In his speech during the
opening ceremony on October 26, Lt. Col. Nacnac, commanding officer of
19IB, emphasizes the vital role of the youth in the community and as
future leaders of the country.
“The summit is an ideal
training for the youth to discover and enhance within themselves their
leadership skills”, Lt. Col. Nacnac said.
Series of team building
activities and lectures such a drug awareness, insurgency awareness,
community policing, health and sanitation were being tackled by
resource speakers coming from the city government of Ormoc, PDEA 8,
Regional Public Safety Battalion 8 and Gawad Kalinga.
Lt. Col. Nacnac likewise
expressed his gratitude to the Rotary Club of Ormoc City spearheaded
by Mr. Wesley Noel O. Chu, the club president and Mr. Peter Rodriguez,
the district governor.
On the other hand Col.
Emmanuel G. Cacdac, the acting commander of the 802nd Infantry Brigade
who was guest of honor and speaker during the closing ceremony lauded
the effort and sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Ormoc to the joint
venture of the 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion and DepEd
Alternative Learning System.
Lt. Col. Nacnac is looking
forward that the YLS proposals submitted by the 19th Infantry
(Commando) Battalion to the different LGUs in Leyte will be approved
within this year.
PRO8 nabbed 3 drug
suspects in Samar
By
RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
November 1, 2012
CAMP SEC. RUPERTO K. KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Even with the demanding
security preparations to ensure a peaceful “undas” in the region,
policemen in the field continues with their usual law enforcement
duties with the arrest of 3 drug suspects in a coastal town in Samar
recently.
“While we are busy with our preparations to make sure people will have
a peaceful visit to their departed loved ones, we will continue our
normal functions in enforcing the law and arrest criminal offenders”,
Police Regional Director PCSupt Elmer Ragadio Soria said.
Soria informed that joint elements of Regional Special Operations
Group 8 (RSOG 8) and Samar Police Provincial Office led by Police
Superintendent Joseph N. Pensotes, conducted buy-bust operations and
implementation of search warrant in Villareal, a coastal town in Samar,
resulting in the arrest of 3 drug suspects.
At about 12:05PM of October 30, at Brgy. Miramar of said town, one
Engr. Arlando Arcebuche y Solis alias Allan, 40, was arrested in a
buy-bust operation by the above police team. Afterwhich, the team
implemented Search Warrant issued by Hon. Janet Cabalona, Presiding
Judge, Regional Trial Court Branch 31, Calbiga, Samar for violation of
Section 11 & 12 of Art. II of Republic Act 9165 docketed under Search
Warrant No. 2012-3 at his residence situated at the same barangay
which resulted to the seizure of 4 heat sealed plastic sachet
containing white crystalline substance suspected as “shabu”; cash
money amounting to P2,000.00; and 2 pieces P200.00 bill marked money
with SN LE393781 & HM600538. The search was conducted in the presence
of Brgy. Chairwoman Neriza Mustacisa.
Earlier, at about 11:55PM of October 29, same police team conducted
buy-bust operation at the vicinity of Barangay Tayod same town that
resulted to the arrest of one Liberato Geli y Jerusalem, 42, married,
jobless and a resident of said village resulting in the recovery of
one heat sealed plastic sachet containing white crystalline suspected
as shabu; P300.00 cash and one P200.00 bill marked money with serial
number KF2138095.
Also arrested was one Rey Roma y Geli, 38, married, farmer and a
resident of Barangay Cambaguio, Villareal, Samar and recovery of one
heat sealed plastic sachet containing white crystalline suspected as “shabu”;
cash amounting to P500.00; and one P100.00 bill marked money with
serial number AW715929.
Soria added that drug charges were already filed in proper court
against the suspects.
“While people are paying respects to their departed loved ones, other
unscrupulous individuals also continue with their illegal activities.
We are warning them that PRO8 will continue to go after them and bring
them to courts to face the consequences of their wrongdoings”, the
Regional Director ended.
Europe open to air
safety pact with PHL – VP Binay
By OVP Media
November 1, 2012
MANILA – Europe
is interested in developing an air safety agreement with the
Philippines once the European Union (EU) ban on Philippine air
carriers is lifted, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay said.
Fresh from a 15-day visit to
Belgium, Luxemburg, the Vatican, and Israel, the Vice President said
he had a chance to meet with European Commission (EC) Vice President
and Commissioner for Transport Siik Kallas during the 7th European
Development Days (EDD) in Brussels to discuss the current EU ban on
Philippine air carriers.
Binay said that according to
Kallas, EU’s main issue with the Philippines was “maintaining the
professionalism and regularity of air safety inspections.”
“I informed the commissioner
that the Philippines had sought technical assistance from the French
government to improve air safety standards, and that Philippine
Airlines, which is now under new management, had just ordered 54
Airbus aircraft in line with its re-fleeting program,” Binay said.
The Vice President added
that he assured the commissioner that the government was taking the
air carrier ban issue very seriously and was already in the process of
instituting critical reforms to improve the country’s air safety
standards.
“I even mentioned the fact
that the Philippines would be receiving an ICAO (International Civil
Aviation Organization)-Coordinated Validation Mission on October 24 to
28 to assess the improvements made thus far,” he said.
Binay also clarified that
the ban applied to both EU and non-EU carriers.
“The commissioner said these
bans were not meant to discriminate against non-EU carriers since
European carriers were not immune from the same bans if they failed to
meet the EU’s strict air safety standards,” the Vice President said.
The EC banned Philippine
carriers from operating in all 27 member-states of the EU in 2010.
According to Philippine
Airlines, the ban was caused by the United States Federal Aviation
Administration’s (FAA) decision in January 2008 downgrading the
Philippines’ safety rating to Category 2 and “significant safety
concern” findings by the ICAO in November 2009 against Philippine
aviation safety regulators.
There has been no commercial
flight by Philippine-registered carriers to Europe since 1999.
