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OTHER NEWS |
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It's been a fairly wet rainy season this year. We are
starting to see a slight reduction in tourists this season due
to the escalating airfares. Some guys are reporting round
trip tickets up almost 100% since last year at the same time. The
good news is that with new hotels opening and more under
construction, very few hotels are reaching 90 to 100% occupancy
right now. This means you are more likely to get your
first choice of hotels if you book even two weeks in advance.
And some hotels have off-season discounts (Medagr
has a 25% discount on selected rooms and
Blue Nile
has a
weekday special with a significant discount on Mon thru Wed.
Many of us looked forward to
the first Clark - Bangkok flight on Trans Global on 22 July, but
were quickly brought back to reality when the first group of
travelers were left stranded in Thailand when the flight didn't
return as scheduled. It was just too good to be true at
$160 for a round trip. Next up appears to be Cebu Pacific.
They have announced their intent to fly this route some day in
the future. (See associated news clipping below.) |
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NEW
DRAINAGE DITCHES ALONG PERIMETER ROAD In the last
several months the city has been installing a drainage ditch the
entire length of Perimeter Road. It will be interesting to
see if this costly project is worthwhile, but it was
entertaining to see the side effects of the construction.
For those of us with vehicles, it has meant months of slow
moving traffic as a good portion of the roadway has been blocked
by piles of dirt and boulders to build the new ditch. But,
the locals have looked at it differently. As the dirt was
piled up across from Stargate, the piles were covered with
people digging through the dirt. What valuable thing
could bring this many people out to dig through the piles in the
hot tropic sun? Check out the 4th photo for a close up of
the treasures (rusted scrap metal). Next, several sections filled up with muddy
water every time there was an afternoon downpour. These
mud holes quickly turned into swimming pools for the kids. Now that the project is done I'm sure some of the
locals are looking at the ditch as a great place to toss their
garbage.
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Lots more news
clippings than normal in this edition, but all related to EXPAT
and tourists life in Angeles City. |
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TRICARE/CHAMPUS FRAUD UPDATE:
A former health care executive was
sentenced 17 JUN to five years in prison for helping his
Philippines-based company swindle nearly $100 million from the
U.S. military health insurance program. Thomas Lutz, 41, said in
federal court he took responsibility for the six-year scheme in
which Health Visions Corp. bilked $99.9 million from the
military's Tricare program through inflated and fraudulent
claims. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb said the five-year
sentence was modest given the extent of the fraud, but it was
the longest she could impose under Lutz's plea deal. Health
Visions and Lutz were initially charged in a 75-count indictment
in 2005. He pleaded guilty in 2006 to a single count of
conspiracy to pay kickbacks and agreed to cooperate with
prosecutors, a deal Crabb called "a huge break" for Lutz. "It's
just horrifying that you were able to take as much money as you
did," Crabb told Lutz. Prosecutors said the company routinely
inflated claims by more than 230%, operated a phony insurance
program and billed for medical services never delivered.
In April, Crabb ordered Health Visions to pay $99.9 million in
restitution. Under her order, the company must sell all of its
assets, including land, hospitals and office buildings, within
10 months. She said Lutz would be responsible for paying the
remainder, including at least 25% of his income once he is
released from prison. Crabb gave Lutz until 18 MAR to report to
prison. Prosecutors asked for the nine-month delay so Lutz could
help the government recover as much money as possible from the
company. Formed in 1997, Health Visions owned and operated
hospitals and clinics in the Philippines and billed Tricare on
behalf of other health care providers. The company served
thousands of U.S. military retirees living in the Philippines,
where bases were located until the early 1990s. The company was
reimbursed $163 million by Tricare between 1998 and 2004, and
prosecutors believe at least $99.9 million of that was
fraudulent. Lutz, an American citizen, read a brief statement in
which he took full responsibility for his company's actions. "I
would like to apologize to the Department of Defense," he said.
"I am truly sorry for all those who have been affected. |
Thursday,
June 05, 2008
Swedish fugitive nabbed
COMBINED Angeles City and Interpol (International
Police) policemen on Wednesday arrested a Swedish
national suspected to be responsible for several cases
including gross fraud and gross embezzlement.
The suspect was identified as Patrick Olof Obrink, 31,
temporarily staying at Unit 2, Wes Apartelle, San Angelo
Street, Josefa Subdivision, Barangay Malabanias in the
city.
Angeles Police-Station 4 Chief Rene Aspe said Obrink was
arrested at a money transfer center along Fields Avenue
in Barangay Balibago here.
He said the suspect's arrest was made by virtue of an
arrest warrant issued by the District Court of Gavie in
Sweden.
Aspe said they had conducted surveillance operations and
spent for about a month to establish Obrink's
whereabouts.
Obrink was taken by Interpol policemen to the Interpol
National Central Bureau Secretariat at Camp Crame in
Quezon City. (RGN)
|
Saturday, June
07, 2008
Manufacture of 18 aircraft okayed
CLARK FREEPORT -- An Italian
defense contractor has forged an agreement with a Filipino
aviation firm for the manufacture of training aircraft worth
US$13.8 million.
The Alenia Aermacchi of Italy and Aerotech Industries
Philippines Inc. (Aipi) on April 25 signed an Assembly and
Parts Manufacturing agreement for 18 new SF260 F basic
trainer aircraft, which will be used by the Philippine Air
Force (PAF).
The government will spend about US$13.8 million for the
project, which will also include the acquisition of SF260 F
piston engines, pilot and technician training, technical
assistance and the supply of ground support and spare parts.
Teresa Parlan, Aipi chief operating officer, said the
general agreement signed by the two firms "will definitely
boost the aviation industry of the country".
She noted that the general agreement is up to 2015. This,
she said, will mean that all orders that Alenia Aermacchi
will receive in these next years from different countries
will be assembled in and supplied out of the Aerotech
Philippines facility.
"Considering that 27 armed forces all over the world use SF
260 trainer aircraft. With about 1,000 units in operations,
Alenia Aermacchi estimates that 100 new units of this
aircraft type will be sold in the next five years," Parlan
said.
Alenia Aermacchi said delivery will start one year after the
April 25, 2008 signing of the agreement and will be
concluded within 18 months.
Parlan said Aipi, a registered locator based at the civil
aviation complex of the Diosdado Macapagal International
Airport (DMIA), has pioneered in the commercial support
program of the PAF.
Also, Aipi has conducted maintenance and leasing of SF 260M
for the PAF's military pilot training for the past seven
years and the inspection and services of Martin Baker
ejection seats on S211 jets.
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Tuesday, June
17, 2008
Suspect in trader's killing nabbed
By Ian Ocampo Flora
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CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Pampanga Provincial
Police Office (PPPO) presented to the media
Monday the main suspect in the robbery and
brutal killing of a businessman in Barangay Dau
in Mabalacat town on June6.
Police Provincial Director Keith Ernald Singian
identified the suspect as Anthony Ferrer alias
Marcos, 38, a resident of North Daang Bakal in
Barangay Dau, Mabalacat.
Singian said the suspect was identified by a
witness in the Rogues Gallery. He said while the
two other suspects in the robbery and killing of businessman Bernardo Faelnan covered their faces
with handkerchiefs, Ferrer did not cover his
face during the fatal heist.
The three motorcycle-riding suspects shot
Faelnan to death, and carted away the victim’s
P191,000 which was withdrawn from a bank in
Balibago, Angeles City.
The trader was a resident of Villa Teodora
Subdivision in Barangay Dau.
Police said
the victim was driving his Mitsubishi Space Gear on his
way home from the bank. When he reached a curb along
Dona Anicia Subdivision, armed men flagged him down and
banged his window. Sensing danger, Faelnan drove away,
but the robbers fired three times at his vehicle
that later rammed into an electric post. The three suspects ran towards the vehicle and destroyed
its left front window to take the bag containing the
money and fled. Witnesses
rushed Faelnan to a nearby hospital, but he died.At a press conference, Singian said Ferrer |
Pampanga
Provincial Police Director Keith Ernald
Singian(left) presents to the media Anthony
Ferrer of North Daang Bakal in Dau,
Mabalacat, who is the principal suspect in
the robbery and slaying of a businessman
on June 6.
(Contributed photo)
|
is tagged
as
number 1 most wanted Person in Mabalacat for the alleged
killing of the businessman. The arrested
suspect has three standing warrants of arrest issued by
Judge Irin Zenaida Buan of Branch 56 of the Angeles City
Regional Trial Court (RTC) for alleged frustrated
murder, robbery with violence and intimidation against
persons, and the recent robbery with homicide.
Prior to his arrest in his house in Barangay Dau, Ferrer
hid in Urdaneta, Pangasinan for several days after the
heist.
During media interviews, Ferrer denied the accusations
against him. He claimed that he is a "peace-loving
citizen", and was just surprised by his arrest.
Singian hoped that they would soon arrest the two other
suspects in the robbery-slay case.
"We are doing tactical interrogation on the suspect to
apprehend the remaining
others whom we believe are also from Mabalacat," he
said.
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Cops raid Portuguese-run
cybersex den in Pampanga
Policemen raided an alleged cybersex den owned by a
Portuguese national in Angeles City, Pampanga, Wednesday
evening.
Portuguese national Jorge Manuel, 47, denied the accusations
and told police that he is not involved in cybersex. He
insisted that he maintains an Internet rental shop.
“There is no cybersex, the computers are for the Internet
shop,” said Manuel. Maricel Sebastian, Manuel's girlfriend,
claimed innocence. “I don’t know why they are arresting me,”
said Sebastian. She added that the equipment confiscated by
the police were not in use and merely stockpiled in their
apartment on Kalantiyaw St. in Barangay Cutcut.
Despite the denials, police still seized a number of sex
toys, 12 computers, Web cameras, speakers, earphones and
blank CDs. They said Manuel uses the items in his cybersex
business. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)
said they also caught a topless woman, identified only as "Zeny",
posing in front of a Web camera. Zeny, however, claimed that
she was just changing her clothes. “I just had a bath. I was
changing my clothes when they entered the apartment and took
pictures of me. This is not a cybersex [den]. I’m here to
work for the Internet café,” said Zeny.
Police said they received a tip on the couple's illegal
business. “We had receivd reports that they were recruited
to work in an Internet shop, only to find out that it is a
cybersex den”, said Superintendent Mario Ramos, deputy chief
of the Anti-Transnational Crime Division of the CIDG.
Ramos said the CIDG immediately coordinated with the local
police of Angeles City to raid the apartment. Ramos said
charges for violating Section 4-A of Republic Act 9208, also
known as Anti-human Trafficking Act of 2003, will be filed
against Manuel.
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Friday, July 04, 2008
American killed inside his residence
By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- An American national was killed inside his
residence at Santa Maria Village 1 in Barangay Balibago
here. Tylar Hammond, 64, single, was reportedly killed four days
ago but his body was discovered only on Wednesday.
Angeles City Police Chief Inspector Rene Aspe said Hammond's
body was found inside the comfort room.
Joben dela Cruz, caretaker of Hammond's house, reported to
the city police about the incident, Aspe said.
Luisito Tan, Station 4 deputy commander, said the victim
sustained multiple stab wounds. The victim's hands and feet
were tied with an electrical wiring, according to Tan.
Investigators found a bread knife at the other comfort room
of the victim's residence.
Acting city police director Superintendent Felixberto
Castillo has ordered a follow-up operation against the
possible assailants of Hammond.
The victim's body was taken to the Galang Funeral Parlor for
autopsy, Aspe said.
|
Tuesday, July
08, 2008
Carjackers shoot victim
By Reynaldo G. Navales
GUAGUA -- A
26-year-old man was seriously injured after he was shot by
still unidentified carjackers in Barangay San Matias here
Sunday night.
The victim, Marvin Zita Chu, a resident of Barangay San
Vicente, Santa Rita, was attacked by armed men who later
took his white Ford Everest sports utility vehicle with
license plate XMD-253.
At 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Chu alighted from his vehicle to buy
something at Artlits Bakeshop in the barangay when several
armed men approached him.
One of the perpetrators shot Chu in the head. The carjackers
immediately boarded the victim's vehicle and escaped towards
unknown direction.
The victim was taken to the Diosdado Macapagal Memorial
Hospital here for treatment. He was later transferred to the
Mother Teresa of Calcutta in the City of San Fernando.
As of Monday afternoon, the victim was still in comatose.
Police recovered an empty shell of caliber .9mm pistol from
the crime scene.
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Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - Manila
Times
Syndicates employ minors in
extortion
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga: The chief of the Pampanga Crime
Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) disclosed last
week that syndicates proliferating in the city are
reportedly using minors to extort money from foreigners. In his speech during the directors’
meeting of Hotel and Restaurants of Pampanga, Inc.
(HARP), Supt. Florendo Saligao also revealed that some
policemen “are oftentimes in cahoots with syndicates and
share in the proceeds of the settlement.” HARP President Noli Reyes of the
Montevista Resort Villas invited Saligao to speak on
several concerns of the association on security and
protection against syndicates and other lawless
elements. Saligao warned HARP officers to be
vigilant saying that they should disallow persons
“tagging along children and minors inside hotel rooms
without proper identification on their blood
relationship.” “Minors are being exposed to sex
trade and being abused by pedophiles, drug syndicates
and those into cybersex trade,” he said. He noted that syndicates into
cybersex business are now using hotel rooms for their
operations. He also received reports that they transfer
from one hotel to another to prevent detection. Saligao said “the modus operandi of
syndicates is that a couple will post as parents of a
minor and will file a complaint in the police station
against a foreigner.” Out of fear of being accused or
charged, the foreigner would be compelled to settle the
case (through payment) with the alleged “parents” for
the dismissal of the complaint. Saligao said he already submitted a
report to his superiors of a case involving some
policemen caught in a hotel video surveillance camera.
They are reportedly involved in extorting money from
foreigners using minors. The CIDU Chief said he is also
expecting victims (mostly foreigners), who already left
the country, to come back and testify against those
involved in extortion activities. He stressed “the necessity of
installing surveillance cameras in business
establishments to monitor several unlawful activities
and to identify suspicious looking persons.” “The cameras cannot lie and those
involved could easily be identified”, he said. He also vowed to pursue his crusade
of tracking down syndicates involved in various illegal
activities like prostitution and illegal drugs. “I would
not mind who would be involved and charged.” Saligao also called on his
colleagues “to be true to their sworn duty to protect
the people and should not engage in unlawful acts just
to [illegally] benefit from it, to the prejudice of
innocent persons.” HARP is an association of known
hotels and restaurants in Pampanga. It boasts of 38
affiliated hotels and restaurants here. Central Luzon
Tourism Director Ronnie Tiotuico also attended the
meeting. -- Joey Aguilar
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SPEEDING TICKETS ON SCTEX?
Several people have reported being issued speeding tickets
on the
SCTEX (expressway to Subic) based on time entering & exiting.
One source said they confiscated his license
and he had to go to San Fernando to get it
back. |
Sunday, July
13, 2008
'No helmet'
ordinance sees to deter crimes
ONLY IN THE PI!!
By Alejandro Tampus
ANGELES CITY -- The Peace and Order Council (POC) is eyeing
an ordinance that would prohibit the wearing of helmets in
selected areas of this city as a good measure to prevent
robberies perpetrated by motorcycle-riding criminals. This
was agreed upon during the council's recent meeting, which
was presided over by Mayor Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno.
Council members expressed their belief that declaring of
crime prone areas of this city as "no helmet zones" would
significantly minimize motorcycle-related crimes. They noted
that most motorcycle-riding robbers usually wear helmets or
bonnets to avoid being recognized by their victims and the
police. Nepomuceno has requested City Council presiding
officer Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, who is the vice
chairperson of the POC, to study the possibility of enacting
an ordinance that would create "no helmet zones." The vice
mayor has agreed to the mayor's request. The council also
reviewed the implementation of the local government's
security measures and the city's actual peace and order
situation. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here led by
Chief Inspector Artemio Llena said his office has been
enforcing the Fire Code of the Philippines and holding fire
safety and prevention activities. But he said his office
does not have enough equipment and manpower. He said 11 fire
trucks and 154 personnel are needed for this city, saying
the standard ratio for fire trucks is one for every 28,000
people. Daniel dela Cruz of the Philippine Army offered to
help the fire department by providing his personnel as force
multiplier. He, however, said his men should first be
trained by the BFP. The new officer-in-charge of the city
police, Senior Superintendent Pierre Bucsit reported to the
council the accomplishments of his office. Nepomuceno
promised to provide more communication equipment to the city
police for their anti-crime activities. Major Remy Maturan
of the 600th Air Base Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF)
at Clark Field said they are also focused on fighting
criminals like smugglers, human traffickers and
extortionists "who tend to inflict negative effects on the
economic stability of the Freeport zone and who will drive
away soon tourists and investors."
|
Thursday, July
17, 2008
Pampanga's most wanted, 2 others nabbed
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Policemen here arrested three
alleged members of the notorious Santiago Group, including
its leader who is the most wanted person in the Pampanga
Provincial Police Office's list.
The group is believed to be responsible for the several
carjacking, robbery hold-up, and "akyat-bahay" incidents in
various parts of this province and adjacent areas.
Police Provincial Director Keith Ernald Siñgian identified
the suspects as Jeffrey Santiago, 19; Abril Punzalan, 19;
and Roslee Jacinto, 19; all residents of Floridablanca,
Pampanga.
Siñgian said Santiago is the alleged leader of the group and
has three standing warrants of arrest for the crimes of
robbery with homicide and another case of robbery. He said
Santiago is tagged "as Number 1 Most Wanted Person (MWP) in
the province."
He said the group is composed of notorious robbers operating
in the province.
He said the arrest of the suspects is the result of a
massive manhunt operation launched against Santiago and his
cohorts.
Superintendent Gregorio Lim, intelligence chief of the
Pampanga police, said the suspects were arrested after the
policemen tried to serve the arrest warrants against
Santiago last Tuesday in Barangay San Jose, Floridablanca.
He said the policemen spotted the suspects on board an XLT
passenger jeep heading towards the town of Guagua.
Confiscated from the suspects were an Armscor caliber .45
pistol loaded with one magazine and seven live ammunition, a
spare magazine loaded with three live ammunition, a holster
with belt for caliber .45, one hand grenade, and a fan
knife.
The suspects will also be charged with Violation of
Presidential Decree (PD) 1866, as amended by Republic Act
8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunitions).
Siñgian earlier directed all field commanders to amplify
their efforts in arresting wanted persons with standing
warrants of arrests in concurrence with one of the thrusts
of Police Regional Director Errol Pan's "LOI Manhunt Bravo."
He also ordered the Provincial Intelligence Office to
intensify information gathering on "the whereabouts of
target personalities in order to effect their immediate
arrests."
|
Clark biggest winner in
Thai-Philippine air accord
By Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA,
Philippines—More opportunities have just opened for airlines
seeking to fly from the Diosdado Macapagal International
Airport (DMIA) in the Clark Freeport, north of Manila, as an
air agreement between the Philippines and Thailand was
renewed, with Clark getting 8,600 passenger seats in
capacity. An
equivalent number of passenger seats was allocated for Thai
carriers going to Clark, bringing the Clark capacity to a
total of 17,400 seats weekly. Clark
International Airport Authority (CIAC) president Victor
Luciano told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the
agreement presents great opportunity for the gateway as it
can accommodate 14 passenger flights daily. Cargo
capacity was also boosted for Clark, from zero to 700 metric
tons weekly. Luciano also
confirmed that there was no limitation on airline
designation. This means that even non-flag carriers can fly
there from multiple designations. Other
Philippine carriers, aside from flag carrier Philippine
Airlines, can apply to fly between Clark and Bangkok, he
said. The
additional allocations were not limited to Clark. Manila
airports got 5,400 seats, up from 2,930, with cargo
allocation of 300 metric tons, up from more than 200
previously. Airports
outside Clark and Manila were given 2,110 seats, up from
850. The Civil
Aeronautics Board said that while Thailand was not currently
contributing as much tourism as Hong Kong was, with only
about 26,000 Thai tourists a year coming to the Philippines,
the potential for growth was great. Traffic is
expected to grow further at a pace of seven percent or more
per year since capacity has increased and more gateways have
been added. Traffic
would also get a boost if Cebu Pacific Air opened a hub in
Clark. Cebu Pacific
earlier said it needed five destinations to be able to do
so: Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. With
Thailand opening up to Clark, all five destinations are now
reachable from the Northern Luzon gateway. Candice
Iyog,Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and product,
declined to comment on the impact of the Philippine-Thai air
agreement on the airline’s plans for Clark, saying Cebu
Pacific had not received an official advice on the matter. She did
confirm that having all five destinations accessible via
Clark would give Cebu Pacific the freedom to revisit plans
to open a hub there. The
Philippine air services negotiating panel is led by the
Department of Transportation and Communications and includes
the Department of Foreign Affairs, Civil Aeronautics Board,
Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Tourism, and
representatives of the airline industry.
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TERMINAL 3
OPENS IN MANILAManila - The
Philippines on Tuesday finally opened a new terminal at its
main international airport after almost six years of delay
due to a dispute with its builders, a German-led consortium.
A pre-dawn flight to Caticlan airport in the central
province of Aklan became the first to take off from the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in
Manila.
Caticlan is a connecting point for tourists going to
Boracay Island, a favourite vacation destination known for
its white-sand beaches.
Authorities said the NAIA Terminal 3 would operate only
partially in the next six months to one year before it
shifts to full domestic and international operations. Tirso Serrano, NAIA 3 assistant general manager, said the
new facility will handle eight inbound and outbound domestic
flights daily for the first week.
So far, only Cebu Pacific Air, the second-largest airline in
the Philippines, has moved to the new terminal, which has an
annual passenger capacity of 13 million. Serrano said other domestic airlines, such as Air
Philippines and PAL Express, the budget unit of flag-carrier
Philippine Airlines, will move operations to Terminal 3 next
week.
"This terminal will be very productive," he said. "We remain
consistent with our position, the terminal is safe and
operable for passengers." The facility was built by a consortium led by Germany's
Fraport AG under a build-operate-transfer contract with the
Philippine government.
It was initially scheduled to be opened in December 2002,
but this was canceled when the Philippine government decided
to scrap the contract, citing anomalies in the agreement. The government eventually won a battle in the Supreme
Court and expropriated the facility in December 2004,
triggering a dispute with Fraport and its local partners in
international arbitration courts.
The Philippine government has paid 3 billion pesos (66
million dollars) to the builders as a down payment for the
facility's cost. A full appraisal has yet to be completed. The builders claim the project's cost is 565 million
dollars, but the Philippine government said the price should
only be 305 million dollars because fixtures and other
components were not completed.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Lawmaker questions NAIA-3’s safety after
ceiling collapse
Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon sought
yesterday a congressional investigation into
the safety of the newly opened Ninoy Aquino
International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3).He
proposed the inquiry two days after a part
of the ceiling at the NAIA-3’s Gate 133
collapsed. Another part of the building’s
ceiling caved in two years ago. Pending the
investigation and an inspection by an
internationally accredited airport safety
inspection company, Biazon said the use of
NAIA-3 by domestic carriers should be
suspended.“We cannot sacrifice the safety of
travelers, local or foreign, and airport
workers,” he said. “A single accident will
mean huge losses in revenues. We could just
imagine the international repercussions and
bad publicity an accident will generate.”
Biazon is a member of the House oversight
committee on NAIA-3. He and other
congressmen have urged authorities to open
the building to scrutiny by international
safety agencies before allowing even
domestic carriers to use it.A NAIA-3 task
force headed by Mike Defensor, former chief
of staff of President Arroyo, has given the
go-signal for the operation of the new
passenger building. Cebu Pacific was the
first to use it.Airline workers have echoed
Biazon’s call for a safety inspection of the
terminal and for suspending its use in the
meantime.In a letter to congressmen, Romeo
Sauler, vice president of the Philippine
Airline Employees Association, said the
collapse of the ceiling at Gate 133 “meant
that the new terminal is not yet really
ready for operation.”“The safety of airport
workers is at stake. There should be no
trial and error in operating an airport as
we could be jeopardizing the lives of
workers and passengers. Their safety must
never be compromised,” he said.He said the
government should subject the new airport to
thorough inspection to avoid a bigger
tragedy in the future.“Most of the
facilities and equipment inside the terminal
are not yet fully functional,” he
added.Sauler said NAIA-3 does not have a
safety certification from the International
Civil Aviation Organization, which sets
guidelines and standards for airport safety;
and the International Air Transport
Association, a trade organization for
airlines.He said they would advise
Philippine Airlines (PAL) management against
using NAIA-3 until inspection by reliable
organizations is done and the building’s
safety is established.PAL is using NAIA
Terminal 2 while other international
carriers use NAIA Terminal 1. – Jess Diaz
|
|
Saturday, July
19, 2008
American trader sued over
missing fence
By Reynaldo G. Navales
ANGELES CITY -- A former mayor of
Mabalacat has filed criminal charges against an American
businessman for a missing portion of his property at
Hensonville Subdivision in Barangay Malabanias here.
Reynaldo Candelaria filed before the City Prosecutor's
Office charges of robbery by the use of force upon things
against Norbel Bostick (aka TICK
from DMZ), 60, an American trader and a resident
of 4180 Zeppelin Street, Hensonville Subdivision, Barangay
Malabanias, this town. According to Candelaria, Bostick on
July 9, 2008 ordered his workers to remove the GI sheets,
cyclone wire and other materials which served as fence for
the former Mabalacat mayor's property in the village.
Candelaria maintains a commercial building near Bostick's
property. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)
provincial office assisted Candelaria in filing the
complaint against Bostick. Aside from Bostick, Candelaria
also charged certain Saldaña and three other persons for his
missing fence. He said the four accused are Bostick's
workers who removed and destroyed the fence. Candelaria said
he is also planning to file a complaint against Bostick
before the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID).
|
Thursday,
August 07, 2008
C.
Luzon workers seek P125 daily wage hike
NOTE: This would
be a 42% increase in the minimum wage!
By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A labor
organization in Central Luzon has renewed its call for a
legislated P125 across-the-board wage increase due to the
country's record-high inflation rate. The Workers of
Alliance of Region (WAR) 3 issued the call Wednesday, saying
it is high time to help ordinary workers meet their daily
needs through additional increase in salaries and wages.
They made the call after the National Statistics Office (NSO)
announced that country's inflation rate last month was 12.2
percent, the highest in 17 years. The NSO stated in its
report that "in Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR),
annual inflation further accelerated to 13.9 percent in July
from 12.3 percent in June as all the commodity groups
continued to record higher annual inflation rates." Angie
Ladera of WAR-3 said the inflation rate further reduces the
purchasing power of ordinary Filipinos, especially workers
in Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon, because of the
disparity in the prices of commodities and the salaries of
ordinary workers. The inflation rate is the basic parameter
for measuring how fast prices of commodities and basic
commodities rise within a given time. Ladera said while
inflation on the national and local markets still continues,
ore workers will not make ends meet. She added that the 12.2
percent inflation rate is almost equivalent to P37.08
additional burden on the part of buyers and consumers of
basic commodities. This, she explained, does not help since
the P292 wage instituted in Central Luzon earlier do so
little for ordinary workers.
In June, inflation rose to a 14-year high of 11 percent.
This resulted in the rise in the prices of basic food.
Market analysts still say that inflation rate may still go
up this month.
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Monday, August
18, 2008
'Texting':
New weapon vs 'kotong' cops, criminals
Corrupt police in the Philippines?? Please tell me it
isn't so!
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Watch out corrupt
cops and criminals! The Provincial Police Office (PPO) here
launched Saturday a short messaging service (SMS)-based
program that seeks to apprehend corrupt cops and enable
speedy response to crime. Provincial police
officer-in-charge (OIC) Keith Singian led the formal
launching of the twin programs "I-txt mo kay PD at
Hepe-Aksyon Agad" and "PNP Text Anti-Kotong Project" at the
Bale Katimawan (Freedom Hall) in the PPO compound here. The
said project was conceptualized by the Philippine National
Police (PNP) in coordination with the Presidential
Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) and non-government
organizations (NGOs). Despite the odds, it aims to pinpoint
and apprehend corrupt police officers and government
employees. Although the program is not the first of its
kind, Singian said it will serve as an addition and
supplement to existing anti-criminality campaign. The PNP
Text Anti-Kotong Project runs similar to that of the Text
2920 and Patrol 117, two government complaint and services
programs. The PNP Text Anti-Kotong Project only needs an SMS
message or picture message sent to the numbers
0927-515-1515. The complainant shall then receive a message
regarding the result of the complaint. However, the PNP said
complaints should supply all the necessary details like
name, time and location of incident for verification and
investigation purposes. Singian said the "I-txt mo kay PD at
Hepe-Aksyon Agad" is a more personal approach in bringing
the services of the PNP to the people of the province. In
this said program, the cell phone number of Singian, along
with different municipal police chiefs, are listed for easy
access of complainants and for the fast reporting of crime
incidents. The PNP said complaints received by the office
will remain confidential to fend off the worry of
complainants for possible retribution. "With this system in
place, the community can effectively help us in our duty and
somehow bring security from lawless elements," Singian said.
(IOF)
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Tuesday,
August 19, 2008
3 'robbers' nabbed
POLICE on Monday announced the
arrest of three suspected robbers in Barangay Balibago,
Angeles City. Chief Inspector Rene Aspe, chief of Angeles
Police-Station 4, identified the suspects as Reynaldo
Patrealba, Joel Perez, and Carolino Aldante. Aspe said the
suspects might be responsible for a series of robberies
involving foreigners at the entertainment district of
Barangay Balibago in Angeles City. Last Sunday, businessman
Marlon Jose Pring, 26, of the town of Mabalacat, sought the
assistance of the Angeles police for the apprehension of the
suspects who, he said, stole his wallet containing P2,000 in
cash. Aspe said he ordered a police team to conduct a hot
pursuit operation against the suspects, who were later
cornered near Saver's Mall in the barangay. Confiscated from
the suspects were three bladed weapons. (RGN)
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ANGELES CITY
CALENDAR: Here is something that
should sell out fast, a calendar with some of
the cuties from Gecko's Bar. Nice photos,
but nothing you can't hang up in your office at
home. The Calendar begins in September
2008 and ends in December 2009. There are
16 beautiful girls and an added bonus picture
every month with each picture being 12 x 18 1/4
inches. Cost will be P690 each and they
can be purchased in Gecko's or Margarita Station
starting around the beginning of September.
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Our good friend Sherylie was featured in
June's FHM Magazine. We have a few copies that she autographed for
Tom Donnelly's fundraiser. These are on sale from our
cashier for P500. All profits go to the Tom Donnelly
medical fund. |
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A DIFFERENT KIND OF
BIRTHDAY: The older I get, the less important
birthday parties become. This year I decided to do
something different, I contacted Neil at Stargate and
offered to sponsor a day
out for
the orphans of DUYAN NI MARIA.
The day got delayed because
the nun that runs the orphanage was out of town, but we
finally pulled it off in early August. I provided all
the food and drinks and one of the managers from Margarita
Station baked up three sheet cakes. Neil got 35
girls from Roadies & Stargate to help watch the kids in the
swimming pool and they did a superior job constantly putting
the fun of the orphans first. If all birthday parties
could be like this, I might just have a few more!
PHOTOS |
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SUBIC TIME!
As the weather starts to
improve, a visit to Subic may be on my schedule now that
there is finally a quality resort hotel on the beach.
If you haven't looked at the beautiful Wild Orchid Subic, it
is time to take a look!
Photos/info |
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Tylar Hammond,
a 64 year old American, was murdered on about 1 July.
(See article above.) |
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Allen Patrick, 44 yeas
old, passed away of
apparent heart failure on 1 July. Allen had been
involved in managing clubs in Angeles for about
10 years. Reportedly he was hospitalized
about 3 months ago for heart problems, but
didn't give up the cigarettes or alcohol.
Allen is survived by his wife
and twin sons. |
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Derk Tooi,
A Dutch citizen known to most EXPATS around town as "Dick" passed
away in early August 2008 from cancer. He had worked
years ago as a manager in Cleopatra, but in recent years
other than a short stint as a relief manager in Blue Nile
Executive he had pretty much stayed to himself. He is
survived by his Filipino wife. |
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Pierre Nisjsen, a 70 years
old Dutch national who was reportedly suffering from
stage 3 cancer committed suicide by shooting himself with a
25 caliber handgun. Pierre was
found dead inside his room by his live-in
partner, Angeline Casamis. Chief Inspector
Rene Aspe, chief of Angeles Police-Station
4, said Casamis informed investigators that
Nisjsen was depressed of his health
condition. "Miss Casamis stated that Nisjsen
was depressed of his stage 3 cancer and he
never ate for almost two weeks," Aspe said.
Scene of the Crime Operation (Soco) police
investigators said there were no signs of
foul play in the slaying. |
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Ernest Doppmann -
Ernest, a 59 year old Swiss citizen, passed away at the Angeles University
Hospital (AUF) on 30 Jun was the founder of Charina's Travel
located in the Clarkton Hotel and over the
years it developed into one of the most
reputable travel agencies in town. Death was
caused by liver failure as cancerous tumors
had attached themselves to his liver and
regretfully had reached the stage where
doctors here and in Switzerland informed him
that there was nothing they could do. Ernst
left behind a wife and adopted children but
she is a Swiss citizen so a pension will
continue. The SEAIR staff and management
extend their condolences and appreciated
their long time business relationship with
Ernest as many times over the years this
travel agency outsold all others in SEAIR
tickets. He was well respected and will be
missed. |
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SERVICED
HOUSE FOR RENT Available 3 Sep 2008 thru 30
Sept, and again after 1 November. We only have
one, so book early. You can rent one
bedroom and have the entire house to yourself, or a
group of 3 guys can have a party house much cheaper than
3 hotel rooms. For more
details see
http://www.margarita-station.com/house.html |
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