No rape! CA's women justices reverse Cpl. Smith conviction

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- City Hall officials said the fireworks, which went awry and marred the opening rites of the annual Mayor Oscar Rodriguez Inter-Barangay Basketball Tournament last Friday evening, was an accident.  The freak fireworks display sent about 20 persons to hospitals for treatment of minor injuries and bruises and charred two vehicles - the government-owned L-300 van of Barangay San Jose Malino and an XLT jitney carrying the fireworks, whose roof was sent high to the third floor of the Community Affairs Building beside City Hall.

City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao, in a press statement, said: "Contrary to rumors that the explosion was an act of sabotage, the fire that occurred on the church patio in front of City Hall was brought about by an accident."  "What was supposedly an electronically-set pyrotechnics had to be triggered manually by the operator because of a power outage that hit the city hall towards the end of the games' opening ceremonies," he added.

Police investigators corroborated Caylao's claim, saying the fireworks operator stumbled and involuntarily released the igniter that he was using to light the display, causing sparks to fly, some toward his (XLT) vehicle parked within a short distance from the pyrotechnics.  The vehicle, including the L-300van, blew up in a ball of fire, causing panic and speculations that the CAD building caught fire.

The statement further said: "people got scrapes and scratches while trying to run away. Two persons were particularly injured. One was hit on the eye by a splinter; the other was wounded on the hand. They were treated for injuries and given anti-tetanus shots." It also revealed that the 10 people sleeping inside the L-300 van at that moment got out safely. Mayor Oscar Rodriguez called the incident "unfortunate" and vowed to extend all assistance to victims of the accident. He told Sun.Star that "it was good no one was seriously injured and killed in the melee." (JTDL)

In his two-paged letter to Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) Chairman of the Board Nestor Mangio, the victim narrated that he was rushing to the boarding area of the airport to catch his Flight 5J 368 bound for Macau.   "As I was in a hurry and as my attention was not called by anyone yet, I complied with all security protocols, save the submission of my shoes for the x-ray at the last security post. After I passed the metal detector, a PNP officer rudely shouted at me "Hey! Come back! Have your shoes x-rayed," Del Rosario said in his statement. Del Rosario said that while the manner of addressing him seemed annoying, he immediately complied with the request and returned for an x-ray examination. "This done, before I proceeded to the boarding area, I approached Officer Ngo and told him "You should respect me because I'm older and you are younger. Don't shout "Hey!" at me" That said I proceeded to the waiting area," Del Rosario said.

Ngo allegedly followed him and demanded Del Rosario to surrender his passport to which Del Rosario questioned the officer on his authority for asking for his passport.  "Without answering my question, he grabbed my passport together with my boarding pass and airline ticket. The force of his assault caused my boarding pass and airline ticket to get torn. Upon confiscating my passport, he manhandled me and forcibly dragged me to his office. He proceeded to an inner office and began to talk to somebody on the phone about me and referred to me as 'Chinese-Filipino'," Del Rosario said. Del Rosario's detention was ended only upon the intervention of another airport official, but added in his letter that he does not deserve to be treated that way by the security personnel.

"As a frequent passenger who calls the DMIA 4 to 5 times a month, as one of the pioneer locators who have invested substantial amounts of cash and sweet equity into this Freeport, and as a senior citizen I believe that, nor any of the passengers calling on DMIA, do not deserve to be shouted at, manhandled and referred to in a politically demeaning manner," De Rosario said, urging the CIAC to look into the incident.

CIAC Chairman of the Board Nestor Mangio meanwhile instructed officials inside the DMIA to look into the incident and gather statements regarding the same. For his part, CIAC President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano assured that the issue is being investigated and they are now reviewing close circuit television tapes on the incident.  Luciano clarified that Ngo is not under CIAC and answers on his actions to the PNP Aviation Security Group. "We assure that our people are customer friendly and that we have done ways to make our services courteous and efficient," he said. (Ian Ocampo Flora)

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) said it expects to provide an estimated 47,000 jobs to Aeta communities in the Sacobia Valley and Central Luzon residents once "The Next Frontier" is fully developed. During "The Next Frontier Roadshow" held recently at the Centro Bar and Resto here, CDC President Benigno Ricafort said nearby and contingent communities along the Clark Freeport will benefit from the spillover effect caused by the pouring of investments at The Next Frontier.

Ricafort made the announcement before members of four media organizations based in Pampanga, saying the estimated number of projects in the industrial, commercial, education, and tourism sector is expected to generate some 47,000 jobs. He said the estimated employment generation statistics are based on the recently completed master development plan for The Next Frontier - a vast stretch of land along the Sacobia Valley. Ricafort said The Next Frontier is being pursued in consonance with the Joint Management Agreement (JMA) - a contract signed on December 6, 2007 by CDC, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and leaders of Aeta tribes who have inherent rights over certain areas of the Sacobia Valley under the Ancestral Domain Claims.

He added that while the JMA and the Next Frontier enable CDC to generate investment potentials in tourism, housing, commercial, institutional and light industry projects in the Sacobia Valley, the undertaking also ensures the recognition and promotion of the overall welfare of the Aeta tribes in the area. The CDC needs at least P11 billion in investments for the total development of The Next Frontier. It is now working out the signing of lease agreements with firms whose trade focuses tourism and industrial-related projects.

Aside from employment generation, Ricafort said the CDC will establish educational facilities and centers for excellence that will supply the manpower needs of firms inside Clark 's main zone and The Next Frontier.

Last March 23, the CDC and the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of Central Luzon campus here. Ricafort and Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro signed the MOA calling for the establishment of a PSHS campus inside the Clark Polytechnic here. The CDC president said the PSHS campus is a "breakthrough" for the Clark Freeport since it not only serves as a venue for investments but also a host for a center of excellence. Ricafort added that the presence of the PSHS inside the Freeport "has great potential of encouraging the youth to aim high in terms of academic excellence."  The PSHS campus, once established, will be the second educational facility inside the Freeport since the Americans abandoned Clark in 1991. The first government public school here is the University of the Philippines Clark campus. Ricafort also noted that establishing a PSHS campus in Clark is an indication of Central Luzon's "readiness for the great industrial revolution."

MABALACAT -- A 41-year-old businessman was shot dead by four suspected carjackers in Barangay Dau here, police said Monday.  Eduardo Manalo Canlas, 41, a resident of Don Cornelio Subdivision in Barangay Dau, sustained gunshot wounds in the head and shoulder. The victim, accompanied by Regilyn Alcantara, 22, bought his brand new black-colored Toyota Hilux pickup just eight hours before the fatal carjacking happened at 3 a.m. last Friday.

From Toyota dealership in the City of San Fernando, Canlas and Alcantara proceeded to Sphynx Bar along McArthur Highway in the same city. It was believed that the carjackers had tailed them from the said bar. Alcantara opened the gate of the house being rented by Canlas at New York Street in Don Cornelio Subdivision and while the latter was parking the vehicle at the garage, a silver colored car arrived. One of the car's occupants, whose head was covered with stockings, immediately alighted and poked a gun at Canlas, demanding that he come out from the pickup.  When the businessman refused, the gunman shot him twice.

The carjackers took his vehicle and sped off, along with their silver-colored car, towards McArthur Highway. They took with them the victim's gold necklace and bracelet, two cell phones, wallet containing undetermined amount of money, and several ORs/CRs of vehicles.  Canlas was brought to a nearby hospital where an attending physician pronounced him dead on arrival. (Jun A. Malig)

CAMP OLIVAS -- A police officer is now in jail after he accidentally shot his wife inside their residence in Barangay Sta. Lucia in the City of San Fernando recently.  A report reaching this camp said the .45 caliber service firearm of Senior Police Officer (SPO) 1 Antonio Diy, presently assigned at the Sta. Rita Police Station, accidentally went off, hitting his wife Josefina Dungca Diy, 47.

According to the investigation conducted by City of San Fernando Police, the policeman, while standing in the terrace of their house, allegedly drew his service firearm from the holster to load it.  But, the firearm allegedly slipped from his hand and accidentally went off, hitting his wife, who was working in their kitchen, in the stomach.  The report said the victim was immediately taken to Makabali Memorial Hospital by one Albert Dungca but eventually died while undergoing operation.  SPO1 Diy voluntarily surrendered himself and his service firearm to City of San Fernando Police. He is presently detained at the City of San Fernando jail. Appropriate charges were filed in court against him, the report said. (RS)

CAMP OLIVAS -- A 44-year-old man was gunned down by three motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Sto. Rosario, Mabalacat town recently. In his report here, Mabalacat Police officer-in-charge Elvis Diaz said Joey Bonzo alias Joseph, 44, a Filipino-American and resident of said barangay was walking along the road when he was fired upon by one of the suspects. Diaz said the victim was about to enter the gate of their residence along David St. corner Capanas St. when two unidentified men approached him while an unidentified female back rider shot him with a .45 caliber pistol in different parts of his body. The victim’s neighbors brought him to St. Raphael Foundation Medical Hospital in Mabalacat but he was declared dead on arrival by attending doctors. Initial investigation conducted by police showed that “love triangle” was the probable motive behind the killing. Diaz said he has ordered his investigators to dig deeper into the killing of Bonzo.

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has announced that it will build additional entry and exit lanes at the Mabalacat Interchange of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) to address the growing traffic volume.  BCDA spokesperson for the SCTEx Robert Gervacio said the BCDA has instructed Japanese engineering consulting firm Katahira and Engineers International (KEI) to prepare the conceptual and engineering design including the cost estimates for the widening of the Mabalacat and Tipo Interchanges.

From the original four exit lanes and three entry lanes in the Mabalacat Interchange, the BCDA plans to add six exit lanes for a total of 10 exit lanes, according to Gervacio.  He said this will be done by converting the two of the three entry lanes into exit lanes and building four additional exit lanes.  He added that the remaining entry lane in the Mabalacat Interchange will be used as a pass-through lane as five new entry lanes will be constructed after the Balem Bridge, some 800 meters before entering the existing Mabalacat Toll Plaza.

Two additional exit lanes will be constructed at the Tipo Interchange, said Gervacio.  He noted that construction of the entry and exit lanes are tentatively set to commence by the middle of the year and is expected to be completed next year.  “With these measures, we hope to address growing traffic volume in general and the sudden surge of vehicles at peak hours during holidays,” he said.

The funding of the construction of the entry and exit lanes will be sourced out from the savings and unspent amount of the SCTEx loan proceeds.  It has been observed that traffic volume in the SCTEx swells by more than 100 percent on special occasions, or from an average of 16,000 vehicles on ordinary days to over 30,000 during holidays resulting in long queues.

CAMP OLIVAS -- A lone policeman thwarted an armed robbery attempt inside a passenger bus traveling along Edsa Thursday afternoon by shooting to death two still unidentified suspects. In a report submitted to Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo dela Cruz, regional police director, the police officer has been identified as Inspector Christopher Obien, member of the 306th Provincial Mobile Group stationed in Bulacan Provincial Police Office (PMG-BPPO).

Initial reports of the Kamuning Police Station under the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) stated that one of the three male suspects was identified as Michael Dismo, 34 years old, an alleged Sigue-sigue Sputnik Gang member, and a native of Leyte province who is presently residing at #147 Sedak St., Navotas City. Dismo and his two still unidentified cohorts were on board JMK bus with plate number TWH-201. They were armed with two caliber .38 revolvers and two bladed weapons when they announced the hold-up upon reaching Edsa.

With presence of mind and not minding his own personal safety, Obien shot one of the suspects with his caliber .45 service firearm, according to the police. “Another suspect who was seated at his back tried to shoot him but the police officer was faster,” the statement added. While the hold-up was in progress, other bus drivers and passengers traversing Edsa witnessed the incident and wasted no time in reporting the case to Kamuning Police Station 10, the nearest police station which immediately responded to the report and set up a blockade. Upon realizing he was alone and sensing danger, Dismo hurriedly got off the bus but was arrested by responding policemen. Recovered from his possession was a caliber .38 hand gun tucked in his waist.

During the search and cleanup procedure, two of the suspects were found dead. A caliber .38 revolver and two bladed weapons were recovered from them.  The driver, conductor and inspector of the bus, including the passengers, positively identified the two dead suspects as among the three men who tried to hold up the bus.  Dela Cruz immediately recommended the meritorious promotion of Inspector Obien for his heroic act of bravery. “His action was beyond compare notwithstanding the danger for his life and a clear manifestation that indeed the Integrated Transformation Program of the PNP (Philippine National Police) is effectively working on our side,” the Central Luzon police director said in the statement.

ANGELES CITY -- The City Veterinary Office (CVO) launched the "Karneng Garantisado Handog Namin Sa Inyo" to ensure consumers in buying safe meats and defend them against illegal traders of "hot meats" in Pampanga and San Nicolas public markets. The activity was led by Mayor's Office chief-of-staff Gerard "Gepoy" Nepomuceno and City Veterinarian Jesse Villaroman.

According to Nepomuceno, this project aims to make Angeleños aware that they should get only fresh meats that have undergone the right process and passed the quality standard set by the NMIS. He added that CVO meat inspectors have been enjoined to regularly and strictly monitor the slaughterhouse in the city to ensure quality meat coming from said abattoirs.  Villaroman said consumers need to be calm since the city's meat inspectors are doing their best to protect them from any threats of swine flu, avian flu, and foot-and-mouth disease.

At present, CVO is requiring local meat distributors and meat vendors to present Meat Inspection Certificate (MIC) before their products can be distributed and sold in public markets. Without these certificates, they cannot sell their products. The city veterinarian also advised consumers to demand for the clearance certificate issued by CVO to meat sellers to ensure that the product passed quality control and have complied with the standards of the NMIS. (IOF)