By Ronron
April 22, 2005
The prosecution team in the on-going trial against Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia at the military court martial ended its case Friday afternoon and consumed the almost three hours of hearing by presenting its list of evidence.
Prosecutors Capt. Karen Ong, and Lt. Cols. Al Perreras and Pedro Herrera-Davila formally offered their list of documentary evidence which include Garcia’s Sworn Statements of Assets and Liabilities from 1993 up to 2003, Land Transportation Office records of his vehicles, and investigation authorization documents from his superior in the military.
Garcia is on trial at the military’s justice system for violation of the Articles of War 96 and 97 for his “unexplained wealth.” The hearing of the case started November 2004, two months after it was filed before the General Court Martial.
The prosecution has so far presented 14 witnesses since then.
After its formal offer of evidence, the defense will have the chance to comment on each piece within 10 days./DMS
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Japanese robbed of P20,000 in Cebu; fights back, gets hurt
By Ronron
April 22, 2005
A 63-year-old Japanese national was robbed last March 31 by an unidentified local in Cebu City but gets hurt after fighting back.
According to the report at the Cebu City Police Office, Eiji Suda, a resident of Burawin, Leyte, was waiting for a taxicab at the back of SM City Cebu at around 10:30 pm at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) when the hold-upper struck.
Suda, who hails from Tokyo, Japan, fought back at the suspect after the latter showed up and pointed a gun at him. He told investigators that he tried to perform judo against the suspect but was overpowered and even lost his P20,000 cash.
As a result of the brief scuffle, the Japanese sustained a sprained right forearm. The suspect, meanwhile, ran away with his loot.
Suda was reportedly trying to find a KTV bar in Cebu City prior to the attack. The driver of the cab he hired however could not understand the place he was specifying.
Police investigator SPO1 Genilo Beraque said Suda was first brought to Infinity KTV on Archbishop Avenue, Cebu City, then at Arena KTV at the NRA. But both were not the ones Suda was specifying. That was why the driver dropped him off at SM City.
Suda just arrived that afternoon from Leyte. He reportedly has a family there, and only went to Cebu City for leisure.
After the incident, Suda was rushed to the Cebu Doctors’ Hospital where he was treated and confined./DMS
April 22, 2005
A 63-year-old Japanese national was robbed last March 31 by an unidentified local in Cebu City but gets hurt after fighting back.
According to the report at the Cebu City Police Office, Eiji Suda, a resident of Burawin, Leyte, was waiting for a taxicab at the back of SM City Cebu at around 10:30 pm at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) when the hold-upper struck.
Suda, who hails from Tokyo, Japan, fought back at the suspect after the latter showed up and pointed a gun at him. He told investigators that he tried to perform judo against the suspect but was overpowered and even lost his P20,000 cash.
As a result of the brief scuffle, the Japanese sustained a sprained right forearm. The suspect, meanwhile, ran away with his loot.
Suda was reportedly trying to find a KTV bar in Cebu City prior to the attack. The driver of the cab he hired however could not understand the place he was specifying.
Police investigator SPO1 Genilo Beraque said Suda was first brought to Infinity KTV on Archbishop Avenue, Cebu City, then at Arena KTV at the NRA. But both were not the ones Suda was specifying. That was why the driver dropped him off at SM City.
Suda just arrived that afternoon from Leyte. He reportedly has a family there, and only went to Cebu City for leisure.
After the incident, Suda was rushed to the Cebu Doctors’ Hospital where he was treated and confined./DMS
One dies in sea mishap off Mindoro Occidental
By Ronron
April 22, 2005
One person died, two others are missing and 11 were rescued after a motorized banca capsized Thursday dawn off the waters of Mindoro Occidental due to bad weather.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, M/B San Apolinar was carrying six crewmen and eight passengers from Looc town bound for Mamburao, both in Mindoro Occidental, when the accident happened.
The vessel, with 14.25 gross tonnage, was also loaded with 30 sacks of salt and two sacks of dried squid. It left the port of Looc at around 12:30 am that day.
Upon reaching six nautical miles northwest of Calavite Point, also in Mindoro Occidental, the boat encountered big waves and strong current, causing it capsize at past 2am.
Responding personnel from the Coast Guard Detachment of Tilik under Coast Guard Station San Jose in the same province rescued seven persons at around 4:40pm that day.
Another passing vehicle rescued four others.
They also retrieved one dead passenger, identified as Buena Zapata, 42.
Two persons, by the name of Rona Zapata, 10, and Andrea dela Fuente, remain missing as of this writing./DMS
April 22, 2005
One person died, two others are missing and 11 were rescued after a motorized banca capsized Thursday dawn off the waters of Mindoro Occidental due to bad weather.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, M/B San Apolinar was carrying six crewmen and eight passengers from Looc town bound for Mamburao, both in Mindoro Occidental, when the accident happened.
The vessel, with 14.25 gross tonnage, was also loaded with 30 sacks of salt and two sacks of dried squid. It left the port of Looc at around 12:30 am that day.
Upon reaching six nautical miles northwest of Calavite Point, also in Mindoro Occidental, the boat encountered big waves and strong current, causing it capsize at past 2am.
Responding personnel from the Coast Guard Detachment of Tilik under Coast Guard Station San Jose in the same province rescued seven persons at around 4:40pm that day.
Another passing vehicle rescued four others.
They also retrieved one dead passenger, identified as Buena Zapata, 42.
Two persons, by the name of Rona Zapata, 10, and Andrea dela Fuente, remain missing as of this writing./DMS
Friday, April 22, 2005
21 people seized, rescued in Lanao del Sur
By Ronron
April 21, 2005
Twenty-one people, mostly students and employees of the Mindanao State University (MSU), were accosted Thursday morning in Lanao del Sur province by unidentified armed men but were later rescued by authorities.
Reports reaching the police and military headquarters in Quezon City said the victims were on board a passenger jeepney bound for Marawi City, Lanao del Sur when the vehicle was asked to be stopped at around 7am by one of the two suspects on board it.
The jeepney, coming from Iligan City, was traversing the national highway in Barangay Emie, Piagapo town, Lanao del Sur at that time, the reports said. From there, four more unidentified companions, armed with handguns, rode the jeepney.
Then, the suspects, believed to be members of the local lawless element group called Magaloyan Group, took over the vehicle and brought the victims towards Barangay Gakap, still in Piagapo.
Upon arrival there, four more suspects in camouflage uniforms, joined them. They also released six passengers and the driver, identified as Mauyag Cosain, 36, after learning that the latter were Christians.
The released victims were identified as Joy Janice Closas, 24, fourth year college student of MSU; Esterlita Gaas, 48, a housekeeper; Noel Villacorte, 50, a cook at the MSU Cafeteria; Monalinda Macarampat, 18, second year Nursing student at MSU; Rose Pascual, 16, a resident of Iligan City; and, Glorietta Castillano, 53, a clerk at MSU.
The 10 suspects then brought the remaining 14 victims, composed of 12 females and two males, to a mountainous area in the municipality of Pantao Ragat, leaving behind the jeepney.
Hot pursuit operations immediately conducted by elements of the Philippine Marines, the Regional Mobile Group of the Philippine National Police, and the Balindong Municipal Police station, in Lanao del Sur resulted in the rescue of all remaining victims at around 1pm.
A policeman from the RMG, identified as PO1 Edris Sultan, got killed in the firefight.
The motive of the abduction was not yet known as of this writing, but military officials described the perpetrators to be involved in kidnap for ransom activities in said locality. The Magaloyan Group reportedly comes from Barangay Ulango, Baloi, Lanao del Norte./DMS
April 21, 2005
Twenty-one people, mostly students and employees of the Mindanao State University (MSU), were accosted Thursday morning in Lanao del Sur province by unidentified armed men but were later rescued by authorities.
Reports reaching the police and military headquarters in Quezon City said the victims were on board a passenger jeepney bound for Marawi City, Lanao del Sur when the vehicle was asked to be stopped at around 7am by one of the two suspects on board it.
The jeepney, coming from Iligan City, was traversing the national highway in Barangay Emie, Piagapo town, Lanao del Sur at that time, the reports said. From there, four more unidentified companions, armed with handguns, rode the jeepney.
Then, the suspects, believed to be members of the local lawless element group called Magaloyan Group, took over the vehicle and brought the victims towards Barangay Gakap, still in Piagapo.
Upon arrival there, four more suspects in camouflage uniforms, joined them. They also released six passengers and the driver, identified as Mauyag Cosain, 36, after learning that the latter were Christians.
The released victims were identified as Joy Janice Closas, 24, fourth year college student of MSU; Esterlita Gaas, 48, a housekeeper; Noel Villacorte, 50, a cook at the MSU Cafeteria; Monalinda Macarampat, 18, second year Nursing student at MSU; Rose Pascual, 16, a resident of Iligan City; and, Glorietta Castillano, 53, a clerk at MSU.
The 10 suspects then brought the remaining 14 victims, composed of 12 females and two males, to a mountainous area in the municipality of Pantao Ragat, leaving behind the jeepney.
Hot pursuit operations immediately conducted by elements of the Philippine Marines, the Regional Mobile Group of the Philippine National Police, and the Balindong Municipal Police station, in Lanao del Sur resulted in the rescue of all remaining victims at around 1pm.
A policeman from the RMG, identified as PO1 Edris Sultan, got killed in the firefight.
The motive of the abduction was not yet known as of this writing, but military officials described the perpetrators to be involved in kidnap for ransom activities in said locality. The Magaloyan Group reportedly comes from Barangay Ulango, Baloi, Lanao del Norte./DMS
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Protest strike stalls transpo in MM, rest of the country
By Ronron
April 18, 2005
The nationwide strike Monday staged by different transport groups, and supported by militant organizations, paralyzed almost completely the transportation in Metro Manila and other key cities and provinces in the country.
In separate accounts, the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Transport Operators at Drivers Nationwide (PISTON) and the government claimed that transportation in different areas from Regions 1 to 12 were stalled from at least three up to 100 percent from 12 midnight until 3pm yesterday.
"As of this time, it shows that the transport strike is successful, particularly in terms of the wide number of drivers, private individuals and established organizations that participated," PISTON Vice President for the National Capital Region Modesto Floranda told the Shimbun at 10am yesterday at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City, one of the 10 mass rally converging points in Metro Manila.
Aside from PISTON, yesterday's protest activity was joined by members of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Alliance (MJODA), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Assocation of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and the Philippine Confederation of Drivers Organization-Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (PCDO-ACTO). It was also supported by the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Anakpawis, BAYAN, Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Health Alliance for Democracy, Union of the Masses for Democracy and Justice, PAMALAKAYA, and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, among others.
FEJODAP President Zenaida Maranan, for her part, said transportation around the country was paralyzed by 95 percent because of the strike.
Floranda said the strike was launched to press the government to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law and to order a rollback of the gasoline prices. (Shell, Caltex and the small oil companies yesterday raised again the prices of diesel and other petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas, by 75 centavos per liter or kilogram, according to Energy Undersecretary Peter Anthony Abaya).
"This is an urgent call. The Oil Deregulation Law in the last 10 years has not served the interest of the drivers and the public in general. It is in fact the reason why oil prices could not be controlled or stopped. The rollback of oil prices should also be immediately implemented because the continuous oil price hikes is the reason why prices of basic goods and services are also increasing," Floranda said in Filipino.
Based on reports received by Floranda from other PISTON members in other parts of the metropolis and of the country, transport paralysis was achieved one hundred percent at the University of the Philipppines in Diliman, Quezon City; in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; in Makati City; and in Malabon.
The following places were also severely affected: Cubao (80%), Proj. 2 and 3 (90%), and Novaliches (90%) in Quezon City; San Pedro, Laguna (80%); Alabang, Muntinlupa City (70%); Sorsogon (98%); Camarines Sur (90%); Albay (90%); Cagayan de Oro City (98%); Tanay, Rizal (90%); Pier Area in Tondo, Manila (98%); Pampanga (80%); Tarlac (60%); and Pangasinan (80%).
But according to Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Ma. Elena Bautista, the transport strike only paralyzed 30-40% in Metro Manila.
"Definitely, it was not fully paralyzed because the buses, taxis, tricycles, and (Tamaraw) FX were operational," Bautista told the Shimbun.
A separate report from the Philippine National Police, meanwhile, showed that the transportation paralysis in Metro Manila ranged from 30-70% as of 2pm yesterday.
It also cited total or partial transportation paralysis in the provinces of Pangasinan, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, Albay, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley; and in the cities of Iloilo, Bacolod, Mandaue, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Davao, and General Santos.
So far, only one bus liner complained of being hit by transport strikers all throughout the duration of the protest activity, said Bautista.
JAC Liner reported that two of its buses were hit by stones yesterday dawn while plying the national highway in Quezon province, leaving its window glasses broken. Another four buses were also left with flat tires after running over spikes thrown on the streets also in Quezon.
No one was reported injured or killed in those incidents.
Bautista warned that if they can ascertain those responsible, they will suffer not only revocation of their franchise but also criminal liability for civil disturbance.
Although some jeepney drivers, particularly members of the transport group PASANG MASDA, continued to ply their respective routes, the strikers remained harmless to them and only appealed for support by shouting at them.
The LTFRB chair stressed that yesterday's nationwide strike is illegal since franchise holders are not allowed to "participate in street protests or any actions that will paralyze transportation."
"We will summon those who took part and ask them to explain why they joined the strike. If they can't satisfy us with their reply, we will cancel their franchise," Bautista said. She disclosed a hearing on May 3 will be conducted by the LTFRB for this matter.
Bautista said the issues raised by the strikers to justify their protest actions were not within the bounds of LTFRB.
On the scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law, Bautista said "they will have to go through Congress to effect that."
"Besides, President Gloria (Macapagal-Arroyo) already ordered the creation of a review panel for that. So they should present their position paper to the panel because that is the right forum for their position and recommendation. Going to the streets will not write down their recommendations," said Bautista.
Energy Undersecretary Peter Anthony Abaya, in a radio interview, disclosed the result of the study group report on the Oil Deregulation Law is already expected by the first or second week of June. It may recommend some amendments, or total scrapping of the law, he said.
Bautista said LTFRB is serious in giving its warning to cancel franchises, citing the 150 cases of cancelled franchises that the agency handed down in the past strikes.
"Although we understand their demands, they should take note that there is a process to be followed... We actually find their causes to be legitimate and valid. But they should not raise it in a manner that the riding public will suffer," said Bautista.
Meanwhile, after a meeting yesterday afternoon with Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Bautista, Maranan announced that their demand to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law will already be addressed by the government, together with 13 other agenda.
"We submitted 14 agenda to Sec. Mendoza. Hopefully, it will be addressed in a week's time, and before we hold the Transport Summit," Maranan said.
Aside from this, Maranan also expressed elation over the government's assurance that the LTFRB will hear on April 21 the P2.50 fare hike petition the FEJODAP filed on April 1. They are expecting a decision 10 days after the hearing.
"These (review of Oil Deregulation Law and April 21 fare hike hearing) show that government is doing something on their demands," said Abaya.
Some commuters yesterday complained to Manila Shimbun because of the hassle brought to them by the strike.
"I was late for 30 minutes from my class because I could not ride from Balintawak (in Quezon City)," 18-year-old Jeany Vi Talal, a nursing student, told Shimbun upon her arrival at her school located at Welcome Rotonda.
"I totally disagree with their protest actions even if I support their cause," she added./DMS
April 18, 2005
The nationwide strike Monday staged by different transport groups, and supported by militant organizations, paralyzed almost completely the transportation in Metro Manila and other key cities and provinces in the country.
In separate accounts, the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Transport Operators at Drivers Nationwide (PISTON) and the government claimed that transportation in different areas from Regions 1 to 12 were stalled from at least three up to 100 percent from 12 midnight until 3pm yesterday.
"As of this time, it shows that the transport strike is successful, particularly in terms of the wide number of drivers, private individuals and established organizations that participated," PISTON Vice President for the National Capital Region Modesto Floranda told the Shimbun at 10am yesterday at Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City, one of the 10 mass rally converging points in Metro Manila.
Aside from PISTON, yesterday's protest activity was joined by members of the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP), Makati Jeepney Operators and Drivers Alliance (MJODA), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Assocation of the Philippines (ALTODAP), and the Philippine Confederation of Drivers Organization-Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (PCDO-ACTO). It was also supported by the Kilusang Mayo Uno, Anakpawis, BAYAN, Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Health Alliance for Democracy, Union of the Masses for Democracy and Justice, PAMALAKAYA, and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, among others.
FEJODAP President Zenaida Maranan, for her part, said transportation around the country was paralyzed by 95 percent because of the strike.
Floranda said the strike was launched to press the government to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law and to order a rollback of the gasoline prices. (Shell, Caltex and the small oil companies yesterday raised again the prices of diesel and other petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas, by 75 centavos per liter or kilogram, according to Energy Undersecretary Peter Anthony Abaya).
"This is an urgent call. The Oil Deregulation Law in the last 10 years has not served the interest of the drivers and the public in general. It is in fact the reason why oil prices could not be controlled or stopped. The rollback of oil prices should also be immediately implemented because the continuous oil price hikes is the reason why prices of basic goods and services are also increasing," Floranda said in Filipino.
Based on reports received by Floranda from other PISTON members in other parts of the metropolis and of the country, transport paralysis was achieved one hundred percent at the University of the Philipppines in Diliman, Quezon City; in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; in Makati City; and in Malabon.
The following places were also severely affected: Cubao (80%), Proj. 2 and 3 (90%), and Novaliches (90%) in Quezon City; San Pedro, Laguna (80%); Alabang, Muntinlupa City (70%); Sorsogon (98%); Camarines Sur (90%); Albay (90%); Cagayan de Oro City (98%); Tanay, Rizal (90%); Pier Area in Tondo, Manila (98%); Pampanga (80%); Tarlac (60%); and Pangasinan (80%).
But according to Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Ma. Elena Bautista, the transport strike only paralyzed 30-40% in Metro Manila.
"Definitely, it was not fully paralyzed because the buses, taxis, tricycles, and (Tamaraw) FX were operational," Bautista told the Shimbun.
A separate report from the Philippine National Police, meanwhile, showed that the transportation paralysis in Metro Manila ranged from 30-70% as of 2pm yesterday.
It also cited total or partial transportation paralysis in the provinces of Pangasinan, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Batangas, Albay, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley; and in the cities of Iloilo, Bacolod, Mandaue, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Davao, and General Santos.
So far, only one bus liner complained of being hit by transport strikers all throughout the duration of the protest activity, said Bautista.
JAC Liner reported that two of its buses were hit by stones yesterday dawn while plying the national highway in Quezon province, leaving its window glasses broken. Another four buses were also left with flat tires after running over spikes thrown on the streets also in Quezon.
No one was reported injured or killed in those incidents.
Bautista warned that if they can ascertain those responsible, they will suffer not only revocation of their franchise but also criminal liability for civil disturbance.
Although some jeepney drivers, particularly members of the transport group PASANG MASDA, continued to ply their respective routes, the strikers remained harmless to them and only appealed for support by shouting at them.
The LTFRB chair stressed that yesterday's nationwide strike is illegal since franchise holders are not allowed to "participate in street protests or any actions that will paralyze transportation."
"We will summon those who took part and ask them to explain why they joined the strike. If they can't satisfy us with their reply, we will cancel their franchise," Bautista said. She disclosed a hearing on May 3 will be conducted by the LTFRB for this matter.
Bautista said the issues raised by the strikers to justify their protest actions were not within the bounds of LTFRB.
On the scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law, Bautista said "they will have to go through Congress to effect that."
"Besides, President Gloria (Macapagal-Arroyo) already ordered the creation of a review panel for that. So they should present their position paper to the panel because that is the right forum for their position and recommendation. Going to the streets will not write down their recommendations," said Bautista.
Energy Undersecretary Peter Anthony Abaya, in a radio interview, disclosed the result of the study group report on the Oil Deregulation Law is already expected by the first or second week of June. It may recommend some amendments, or total scrapping of the law, he said.
Bautista said LTFRB is serious in giving its warning to cancel franchises, citing the 150 cases of cancelled franchises that the agency handed down in the past strikes.
"Although we understand their demands, they should take note that there is a process to be followed... We actually find their causes to be legitimate and valid. But they should not raise it in a manner that the riding public will suffer," said Bautista.
Meanwhile, after a meeting yesterday afternoon with Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Bautista, Maranan announced that their demand to scrap the Oil Deregulation Law will already be addressed by the government, together with 13 other agenda.
"We submitted 14 agenda to Sec. Mendoza. Hopefully, it will be addressed in a week's time, and before we hold the Transport Summit," Maranan said.
Aside from this, Maranan also expressed elation over the government's assurance that the LTFRB will hear on April 21 the P2.50 fare hike petition the FEJODAP filed on April 1. They are expecting a decision 10 days after the hearing.
"These (review of Oil Deregulation Law and April 21 fare hike hearing) show that government is doing something on their demands," said Abaya.
Some commuters yesterday complained to Manila Shimbun because of the hassle brought to them by the strike.
"I was late for 30 minutes from my class because I could not ride from Balintawak (in Quezon City)," 18-year-old Jeany Vi Talal, a nursing student, told Shimbun upon her arrival at her school located at Welcome Rotonda.
"I totally disagree with their protest actions even if I support their cause," she added./DMS
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Japanese found dead in Mandaue City
By Ronron
March 15, 2005
Cebu - A 56-year-old Japanese national was found dead Sunday afternoon in Mandaue City, this province.
Mandaue City Police Station V Chief Alberto Abing said Hiroyoshi Saguchi, a resident of Toyoda-cho, Iwatagun-ken, Japan, died of natural cause as relayed to him by Scene of the Crime Operatives.
Saguchi was reportedly discovered lifeless by the Filipina live-in partner of his Japanese bestfriend, Fujio Sasaki, at the latter's apartelle in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City at around 1pm of March 13.
Abing said Saguchi, who arrived in Cebu last March 10 to visit Sasaki, had earlier complained of abdominal pains and loose bowel movement (LBM) after they ate breakfast at the Mactan Shrine in neighboring Lapu-lapu City last Saturday.
Unofficial reports received by Abing from the Region VII Police Crime Laboratory pointed to a pancreatic disorder as the cause of Saguchi's death. An inquiry made by Manila Shimbun yesterday at the Crime Laboratory regarding the same matter proved futile due to the absence of the medico-legal officer.
"Definitely, there is no foul play here because there were no physical injuries found on the victim's body and there were no signs of struggle inside his room," Abing told Manila Shimbun. Saguchi was occupying one of the three rooms in Sasaki's rented unit.
Based on the police blotter, Sasaki's live-in partner, Meldy Bongansiso, 21, tried to wake up Saguchi in the morning of March 13 for breakfast. But after receiving no response, Bongansiso left, thinking that Saguchi just wanted to sleep longer. It was when she tried to wake him up at noontime for lunch that she discovered Saguchi already stiff and breathless.
Police had no exact knowledge yet as to what the group ate for breakfast last Saturday that caused Saguchi's illness.
An attempt also by this reporter to get the story from Bongansiso and Sasaki yesterday was unsuccessful because the couple could not be located.
Abing said Sasaki and Bongansiso are not being investigated on the case.
Saguchi's body was subjected to autopsy and now lies at the Cebu Rolling Hills Funeral Homes. His family is expected to arrive here today (Wednesday) to fetch his remains.
Saguchi arrived in the country via Manila last March 7 and was due for departure on the 28th. He first came to the Philippines in 1997, based on his passport./DMS
March 15, 2005
Cebu - A 56-year-old Japanese national was found dead Sunday afternoon in Mandaue City, this province.
Mandaue City Police Station V Chief Alberto Abing said Hiroyoshi Saguchi, a resident of Toyoda-cho, Iwatagun-ken, Japan, died of natural cause as relayed to him by Scene of the Crime Operatives.
Saguchi was reportedly discovered lifeless by the Filipina live-in partner of his Japanese bestfriend, Fujio Sasaki, at the latter's apartelle in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City at around 1pm of March 13.
Abing said Saguchi, who arrived in Cebu last March 10 to visit Sasaki, had earlier complained of abdominal pains and loose bowel movement (LBM) after they ate breakfast at the Mactan Shrine in neighboring Lapu-lapu City last Saturday.
Unofficial reports received by Abing from the Region VII Police Crime Laboratory pointed to a pancreatic disorder as the cause of Saguchi's death. An inquiry made by Manila Shimbun yesterday at the Crime Laboratory regarding the same matter proved futile due to the absence of the medico-legal officer.
"Definitely, there is no foul play here because there were no physical injuries found on the victim's body and there were no signs of struggle inside his room," Abing told Manila Shimbun. Saguchi was occupying one of the three rooms in Sasaki's rented unit.
Based on the police blotter, Sasaki's live-in partner, Meldy Bongansiso, 21, tried to wake up Saguchi in the morning of March 13 for breakfast. But after receiving no response, Bongansiso left, thinking that Saguchi just wanted to sleep longer. It was when she tried to wake him up at noontime for lunch that she discovered Saguchi already stiff and breathless.
Police had no exact knowledge yet as to what the group ate for breakfast last Saturday that caused Saguchi's illness.
An attempt also by this reporter to get the story from Bongansiso and Sasaki yesterday was unsuccessful because the couple could not be located.
Abing said Sasaki and Bongansiso are not being investigated on the case.
Saguchi's body was subjected to autopsy and now lies at the Cebu Rolling Hills Funeral Homes. His family is expected to arrive here today (Wednesday) to fetch his remains.
Saguchi arrived in the country via Manila last March 7 and was due for departure on the 28th. He first came to the Philippines in 1997, based on his passport./DMS
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Pesticide poisoned Boholanos, says DOH
By Ronron
March 14, 2005
Cebu – Five days after a massive food poisoning killed 27 grade-schoolers and downed over a hundred others in a remote village in Mabini town, Bohol, health experts have finally ruled Monday that it was pesticide that caused the tragedy.
In a statement released yesterday, the Philippine health department “pointed to severe dehydration secondary to pesticide poisoning,” and not cyanide in cassava, as the main cause of the March 9 incident.
“There were significant findings of pesticide poisoning among the children. This poisoning could have been just an acute event or an acute event on top of a chronic exposure,” the statement read, although it did not specify the kind of pesticide.
Toxicologists from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) went to Bohol last week to gather blood and vomitus samples from confined patients following President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s order on health experts and the police to determine the cause of the mass poisoning.
The experts from the UP Poison Management and Control Center who performed the tests found no evidence of cyanide poisoning among the 49 students tested for cyanide in the blood, the statement added.
Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit explained in the same statement that it was possible the food (deep-fried caramelized cassava) “was prepared in an environment that was highly toxic and contaminated with chemical poisons and bacteria.”
Students of the San Jose Elementary School (SJES) in Barangay San Jose, Mabini admitted of having bought deep-fried caramelized cassava from ambulant vendor Anna Luyong, 68, during their recess in the morning of March 9 before they experienced abdominal pains, vomiting, and loose bowel movement (LBM). Some of them also bought ball-shaped cassava cake from another vendor, Victoria Hibaya, 59, but only a few complained of stomach disorders.
Of the 276 students of SJES, 27 died and 99 others were confined in four different hospitals around the province. Luyong, and five other adults were also brought to the hospitals for treatment after they were able to eat the same food.
Investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Region VII over the weekend were able to get an insecticide from Luyong’s small hut where she prepared the food items she sold. NBI-Bohol Chief Renato Mandawe described the insecticide as powdery in appearance, almost like flour.
“We conducted a research on that kind of insecticide and we learned that it is very toxic. The lethal dose (of the insecticide) to kill an adult is only four grams. How much more if it’s taken in by children? And the symptoms that the victims showed were the same that we found out in our research,” said Mandawe.
Mandawe said they will await the result of the laboratory tests that the NBI Head Office in Manila will conduct on the specimen they have gathered from two of the 27 corpses to be able to confirm if that same insecticide is indeed the culprit.
Similar tests, he added, are also being conducted on samples of cassava that the NBI team have uprooted from Luyong’s backyard to counter-check their negative findings as to the presence of cyanide in the corpses that they have autopsied.
The results are expected to come out today (Tuesday) or Wednesday.
The NBI team conducted an autopsy on two different bodies last March 11 and 12. They collected specimen from the intestines, particularly food items inside the bodies that were not yet completely digested.
Meanwhile, all 27 bodies have already been buried at the San Jose Public Cemetery. And out of the 104 confined patients, only 20 are now remaining at the hospitals./DMS
March 14, 2005
Cebu – Five days after a massive food poisoning killed 27 grade-schoolers and downed over a hundred others in a remote village in Mabini town, Bohol, health experts have finally ruled Monday that it was pesticide that caused the tragedy.
In a statement released yesterday, the Philippine health department “pointed to severe dehydration secondary to pesticide poisoning,” and not cyanide in cassava, as the main cause of the March 9 incident.
“There were significant findings of pesticide poisoning among the children. This poisoning could have been just an acute event or an acute event on top of a chronic exposure,” the statement read, although it did not specify the kind of pesticide.
Toxicologists from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) went to Bohol last week to gather blood and vomitus samples from confined patients following President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s order on health experts and the police to determine the cause of the mass poisoning.
The experts from the UP Poison Management and Control Center who performed the tests found no evidence of cyanide poisoning among the 49 students tested for cyanide in the blood, the statement added.
Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit explained in the same statement that it was possible the food (deep-fried caramelized cassava) “was prepared in an environment that was highly toxic and contaminated with chemical poisons and bacteria.”
Students of the San Jose Elementary School (SJES) in Barangay San Jose, Mabini admitted of having bought deep-fried caramelized cassava from ambulant vendor Anna Luyong, 68, during their recess in the morning of March 9 before they experienced abdominal pains, vomiting, and loose bowel movement (LBM). Some of them also bought ball-shaped cassava cake from another vendor, Victoria Hibaya, 59, but only a few complained of stomach disorders.
Of the 276 students of SJES, 27 died and 99 others were confined in four different hospitals around the province. Luyong, and five other adults were also brought to the hospitals for treatment after they were able to eat the same food.
Investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Region VII over the weekend were able to get an insecticide from Luyong’s small hut where she prepared the food items she sold. NBI-Bohol Chief Renato Mandawe described the insecticide as powdery in appearance, almost like flour.
“We conducted a research on that kind of insecticide and we learned that it is very toxic. The lethal dose (of the insecticide) to kill an adult is only four grams. How much more if it’s taken in by children? And the symptoms that the victims showed were the same that we found out in our research,” said Mandawe.
Mandawe said they will await the result of the laboratory tests that the NBI Head Office in Manila will conduct on the specimen they have gathered from two of the 27 corpses to be able to confirm if that same insecticide is indeed the culprit.
Similar tests, he added, are also being conducted on samples of cassava that the NBI team have uprooted from Luyong’s backyard to counter-check their negative findings as to the presence of cyanide in the corpses that they have autopsied.
The results are expected to come out today (Tuesday) or Wednesday.
The NBI team conducted an autopsy on two different bodies last March 11 and 12. They collected specimen from the intestines, particularly food items inside the bodies that were not yet completely digested.
Meanwhile, all 27 bodies have already been buried at the San Jose Public Cemetery. And out of the 104 confined patients, only 20 are now remaining at the hospitals./DMS
Thursday, March 10, 2005
27 kids downed in Bohol by suspected poisoned food
By Ronron
March 9, 2005
Cebu – Twenty-seven children died Wednesday after eating a suspected poisoned food they bought from a sidestreet vendor at an elementary school in Mabini town, Bohol.
According to reports reaching the Bohol Governor’s Office and the Mabini Mayor’s Office, all fatalities were allegedly downed by different fried snack foods that had cassava contents in them.
The suspected poisoned food were reportedly sold by a certain Anna Luyong, 68, to students of the San Jose Elementary School in Barangay San Jose, Mabini town during the latter’s recess at around 10am yesterday.
More or less 80 pupils who bought Luyong’s food items reportedly began to either suffer abdominal pains, vomit, or experience loose bowel movement (LBM) at lunchtime when they were already in their respective homes.
The victims were brought to four different medical centers around the province, namely: Garcia Memorial Provincial Hospital (GMPH) in Talibon town, Don Emilio Del Valle District Hospital (DEDVDH) also in Talibon, Kutamora Clinic in Mabini, and Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (CGMH) in Tagbilaran City.
At GMPH, two patients died; at DEDVDH, seven; at Kutamora Clinic, 15; at CGMH, two. One, meanwhile, died on the spot at Mabini.
The youngest victims were believed to be seven-years-old and the oldest, 12 years old.
One of the casualties now confined at the hospitals is Luyong, who reportedly ate the food she was selling to disprove allegations against her when she was investigated by police later in the day.
Government and municipal officers in Bohol are now sending investigating and medical teams to the different hospitals to address the tragedy./DMS
Arroyo seeks investors' support, presents RP standing
By Ronron
March 9, 2005
Cebu - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sought on Wendesday the support of both foreign and local investors gathered here for the Philippine Investment Conference for the implementation of her administration's infrastructure projects as she presented how the country's economy is faring now.
In her keynote address during the opening yesterday here of the Philippine Investment Conference at the Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort, the President encouraged investors to help upgrade and create new facilities such as airports, roads, and roll-on roll-off facilities, which, she said are vital, especially for tourism.
Arroyo made the appeal as she presented to the estimated 500 foreign and local conference delegates some projects and efforts her administration is undertaking around the country.
"We're counting on the full cooperation of the public and private sectors in order to capitalize on these vast opportunities that are before us... Our efforts to develop these sectors (energy and power, tourism, information and communication technology (ICT), outsourcing, and mining) provide many investment opportunities," Arroyo said.
Currently, the government, she said, are embarking on the following endeavors on which private investors may also take part: 1) logistics investments at Clark and Subic; 2) expressway and ports, high technology and manufacturing in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon; 3) agri-business in Mindanao and Northern Luzon; 4) tourism in Central Philippines; and, 5) business process outsourcing (BPO) in Cebu and Davao.
Arroyo cited the government's initiative to create the Philippine Infrastructure Corporation which will help develop commercial and bankable projects that can be taken over by the private sector.
"We are in a new round of reform and recovery. I believe that at the end of the tunnel is hope and opportunity borne of strong macroeconomic fundamentals including fiscal responsibilities, aggressive market initiatives, a positive climate for investment, and major drive against corruption," Arroyo said.
She bragged again about the gains of her administration: the rise of the country's gross domestic product in 2004 to 6.1 percent, the increase of the country's exports in 2004 by 9.3%, the surge of the stock market by 39%, the removal of the Philippines from the list of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, the increase of foreign investments, and the sound control of the budget deficit.
Arroyo also told the conference delegates about the passage by Congress of her revenue bills, the opening of the mining sector for investment, the upcoming opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III, the surge of jobs at call centers, and the perceived benefits of the future trade agreements of the PHilippines between Japan and China.
To further complete the picture, the President assured the investors that peace and order in the country is being addressed. "Kidnapping syndicates are being broken. Kidnapping instances are weighed down. We are tough on terrorists," she said. Peace accord with seccessionist groups, like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is also making progress, she revealed.
"This is a pivotal year for the Philippines, a year of challenges and changes," she marked.
Her Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri noted that with all the reforms being implemented now, "we expect the first half of (Arroyo's new term) to be difficult... But in the second half, everything will be okay."/DMS
March 9, 2005
Cebu - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sought on Wendesday the support of both foreign and local investors gathered here for the Philippine Investment Conference for the implementation of her administration's infrastructure projects as she presented how the country's economy is faring now.
In her keynote address during the opening yesterday here of the Philippine Investment Conference at the Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort, the President encouraged investors to help upgrade and create new facilities such as airports, roads, and roll-on roll-off facilities, which, she said are vital, especially for tourism.
Arroyo made the appeal as she presented to the estimated 500 foreign and local conference delegates some projects and efforts her administration is undertaking around the country.
"We're counting on the full cooperation of the public and private sectors in order to capitalize on these vast opportunities that are before us... Our efforts to develop these sectors (energy and power, tourism, information and communication technology (ICT), outsourcing, and mining) provide many investment opportunities," Arroyo said.
Currently, the government, she said, are embarking on the following endeavors on which private investors may also take part: 1) logistics investments at Clark and Subic; 2) expressway and ports, high technology and manufacturing in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon; 3) agri-business in Mindanao and Northern Luzon; 4) tourism in Central Philippines; and, 5) business process outsourcing (BPO) in Cebu and Davao.
Arroyo cited the government's initiative to create the Philippine Infrastructure Corporation which will help develop commercial and bankable projects that can be taken over by the private sector.
"We are in a new round of reform and recovery. I believe that at the end of the tunnel is hope and opportunity borne of strong macroeconomic fundamentals including fiscal responsibilities, aggressive market initiatives, a positive climate for investment, and major drive against corruption," Arroyo said.
She bragged again about the gains of her administration: the rise of the country's gross domestic product in 2004 to 6.1 percent, the increase of the country's exports in 2004 by 9.3%, the surge of the stock market by 39%, the removal of the Philippines from the list of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, the increase of foreign investments, and the sound control of the budget deficit.
Arroyo also told the conference delegates about the passage by Congress of her revenue bills, the opening of the mining sector for investment, the upcoming opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III, the surge of jobs at call centers, and the perceived benefits of the future trade agreements of the PHilippines between Japan and China.
To further complete the picture, the President assured the investors that peace and order in the country is being addressed. "Kidnapping syndicates are being broken. Kidnapping instances are weighed down. We are tough on terrorists," she said. Peace accord with seccessionist groups, like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is also making progress, she revealed.
"This is a pivotal year for the Philippines, a year of challenges and changes," she marked.
Her Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri noted that with all the reforms being implemented now, "we expect the first half of (Arroyo's new term) to be difficult... But in the second half, everything will be okay."/DMS
RP economic heads downplay country's corruption ranking
By Ronron
March 9, 2005
Cebu - Economic managers of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration refused to comment Wednesday on the reported ranking of the Philippines as the second most corrupt country in Asia, and maintained instead that the present government is currently implementing reforms to curb graft and corruption.
In separate interviews at the sidelines of the Philippine Investement Conference (PIC) which started yesterday here at Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort, Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima enumerated instead anti-corruption efforts being undertaken by the Philippine government when sought for comment by reporters regarding the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd. (PERC) survey.
The Philippines reportedly ranked second to Indonesia in the recent PERC survey on most corrupt countries in Asia. Singapore, Japan and Hongkong topped as the most corrupt-free countries in Asia.
"What is important is what we're trying to do with the challenges that we face as a country...the focus, the energy (that) the government is putting to make it easy for businessmen to do business in the country," Purisima said.
Purisima and Neri mentioned the following anti-corruption measures that the government had carried out to curb graft and corruption: the conduct of lifestyle checks, prosecution of corrupt officials, the appointment of an anti-corrpution czar, and the passage of different legislations into law such as the Procurement Act and Lateral Attrition Act.
In her keynote address during the opening yesterday of the two-day conference, Arroyo also assured the estimated 500 delegates, both foreign and local, that along with the fiscal reforms her administration is implementing is the major drive against corruption.
But despite these, Neri, in reference to the PERC survery, still sees much needed reforms to finally eradicate corruption in the country.
"I would like to have the specifics (of this survey) because it's hard to address perception. If they conduct a survey next time, they should specify if it's (Bureau of Internal Revenue) corruption, bribery corruption, smuggling corruption, etcetera, so we will know what agency to deal with," Neri said.
Neri admitted the survey "definitely" will affect the investment climate in the Philippines.
The survey also confirmed the recent survey conducted by the Wallace Business Forum which cited corruption as the number one concern among businessmen and investors in the Philippines.
"But for me, it does not matter whether we're number one or two or three or four. What does matter clearly is that there is a high degree of corruption in the Philippines and its a major disadvantage to doing business," Peter Wallace told reporters in a separate interview.
While he acknowledged the efforts of the government, Wallace could not say if these efforts are enough to cleanse the country, especially that corruption in the Philippines is not just about the people but the system or institution.
The famous business consultant praised Arroyo for the appointment of Bert Lina to the Bureau of Customs portfolio, saying that since he comes from the logistics/cargo business, Lina would know how to fight the problem of corruption.
"The government and private sector should get its act together and identify the corrupt sectors that need to be addressed," Neri appealed.
While Neri expressed fears that the PERC survey may affect the investment climate in the country, Purisima appeared more hopeful.
"This conference is an affirmation that the international community has recognized the changes going in the our country. The fact that Euromoney, the premier conference entity in the world, has focused and devoted this conference entirely to the Philippines is a big signal that we are again at the discussion table and are being considered for investments by investors," Purisima said.
Euromoney Conferences Editor Mark Johnson expressed yesterday a favorable impression on the Philippines' efforts to improve its investment climate by fighting corruption, saying: "I see a real committment to reform the structure although it's still a long road. The implementation of these reforms has just started."/DMS
March 9, 2005
Cebu - Economic managers of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration refused to comment Wednesday on the reported ranking of the Philippines as the second most corrupt country in Asia, and maintained instead that the present government is currently implementing reforms to curb graft and corruption.
In separate interviews at the sidelines of the Philippine Investement Conference (PIC) which started yesterday here at Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort, Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima enumerated instead anti-corruption efforts being undertaken by the Philippine government when sought for comment by reporters regarding the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd. (PERC) survey.
The Philippines reportedly ranked second to Indonesia in the recent PERC survey on most corrupt countries in Asia. Singapore, Japan and Hongkong topped as the most corrupt-free countries in Asia.
"What is important is what we're trying to do with the challenges that we face as a country...the focus, the energy (that) the government is putting to make it easy for businessmen to do business in the country," Purisima said.
Purisima and Neri mentioned the following anti-corruption measures that the government had carried out to curb graft and corruption: the conduct of lifestyle checks, prosecution of corrupt officials, the appointment of an anti-corrpution czar, and the passage of different legislations into law such as the Procurement Act and Lateral Attrition Act.
In her keynote address during the opening yesterday of the two-day conference, Arroyo also assured the estimated 500 delegates, both foreign and local, that along with the fiscal reforms her administration is implementing is the major drive against corruption.
But despite these, Neri, in reference to the PERC survery, still sees much needed reforms to finally eradicate corruption in the country.
"I would like to have the specifics (of this survey) because it's hard to address perception. If they conduct a survey next time, they should specify if it's (Bureau of Internal Revenue) corruption, bribery corruption, smuggling corruption, etcetera, so we will know what agency to deal with," Neri said.
Neri admitted the survey "definitely" will affect the investment climate in the Philippines.
The survey also confirmed the recent survey conducted by the Wallace Business Forum which cited corruption as the number one concern among businessmen and investors in the Philippines.
"But for me, it does not matter whether we're number one or two or three or four. What does matter clearly is that there is a high degree of corruption in the Philippines and its a major disadvantage to doing business," Peter Wallace told reporters in a separate interview.
While he acknowledged the efforts of the government, Wallace could not say if these efforts are enough to cleanse the country, especially that corruption in the Philippines is not just about the people but the system or institution.
The famous business consultant praised Arroyo for the appointment of Bert Lina to the Bureau of Customs portfolio, saying that since he comes from the logistics/cargo business, Lina would know how to fight the problem of corruption.
"The government and private sector should get its act together and identify the corrupt sectors that need to be addressed," Neri appealed.
While Neri expressed fears that the PERC survey may affect the investment climate in the country, Purisima appeared more hopeful.
"This conference is an affirmation that the international community has recognized the changes going in the our country. The fact that Euromoney, the premier conference entity in the world, has focused and devoted this conference entirely to the Philippines is a big signal that we are again at the discussion table and are being considered for investments by investors," Purisima said.
Euromoney Conferences Editor Mark Johnson expressed yesterday a favorable impression on the Philippines' efforts to improve its investment climate by fighting corruption, saying: "I see a real committment to reform the structure although it's still a long road. The implementation of these reforms has just started."/DMS
Friday, March 4, 2005
Fire hits cities of Cebu and Mandaue on advent of Fire Prevention Month
By Ronron
March 3, 2005
Cebu – Just as fire authorities around the country launched March as the Fire Prevention Month which marks the advent of the summer season, two succeeding fire incidents happened in the neighboring cities of Mandaue and Cebu, this province, burning down some P2.65 million worth of properties.
In Mandaue City, an ignited pile of garbage at the backyard of Isidra Jabonario’s residence led to the torching down Wednesday afternoon of 187 residential houses spread in Sitios Sampaguita-Lower and Sitio Tube Ice, both in Barangay Banilad.
The Mandaue City Fire Department (MCFD) received the said fire alarm at 3:25 pm but due to difficulty in penetrating the affected community because of its narrow pathways, it was only put under control an hour and twenty minutes later by responding firemen. Putting it out even took almost another five hours.
No casualty was reported in the incident that ate up P2.3 million worth of properties, mostly houses that are a mixture of concrete, semi-concrete and light structures, according to the MCFD.
As observed by Manila Shimbun at the site, the blaze was also heightened by the moderate afternoon winds, causing it to reach the general alarm status at 3:40 pm.
Fire Officer Roy Garcia of the MCFD said the flaming garbage at Jabonario’s backyard reached the latter’s residence because the rotten bamboo poles leaning on the wall of Jabonario’s kitchen were standing from the said pile of garbage.
The homeless families are now temporarily sheltered at the school buildings in Barangay Banilad. They were given relief goods and other forms of assistance by the city government and several non-government organizations.
The Cebu City fire incident, meanwhile, occurred at 7:15 am Thursday at a combined residential and commercial area in the uptown barangay of Apas.
No casualty was also reported in the said alarm that left an estimated damage cost of P350,000.
According to the Cebu City Fire Department (CCFD), the blaze gutted down six residential houses and four commercial establishments that are located along Wilson and Torralba streets.
A witness told fire investigators that she first saw a smoke coming from the abandoned residence of a certain Eleuterio Doños. She claimed the bamboo material-made house of Doños was then easily set ablaze.
CCFD personnel, however, were quick to respond, bringing right away the fire under control 17 minutes later, and putting it out at 8:35 am. The incident only reached a second alarm status.
It was the first fire alarm in the city of Cebu in this month’s Fire Prevention celebration./DMS
March 3, 2005
Cebu – Just as fire authorities around the country launched March as the Fire Prevention Month which marks the advent of the summer season, two succeeding fire incidents happened in the neighboring cities of Mandaue and Cebu, this province, burning down some P2.65 million worth of properties.
In Mandaue City, an ignited pile of garbage at the backyard of Isidra Jabonario’s residence led to the torching down Wednesday afternoon of 187 residential houses spread in Sitios Sampaguita-Lower and Sitio Tube Ice, both in Barangay Banilad.
The Mandaue City Fire Department (MCFD) received the said fire alarm at 3:25 pm but due to difficulty in penetrating the affected community because of its narrow pathways, it was only put under control an hour and twenty minutes later by responding firemen. Putting it out even took almost another five hours.
No casualty was reported in the incident that ate up P2.3 million worth of properties, mostly houses that are a mixture of concrete, semi-concrete and light structures, according to the MCFD.
As observed by Manila Shimbun at the site, the blaze was also heightened by the moderate afternoon winds, causing it to reach the general alarm status at 3:40 pm.
Fire Officer Roy Garcia of the MCFD said the flaming garbage at Jabonario’s backyard reached the latter’s residence because the rotten bamboo poles leaning on the wall of Jabonario’s kitchen were standing from the said pile of garbage.
The homeless families are now temporarily sheltered at the school buildings in Barangay Banilad. They were given relief goods and other forms of assistance by the city government and several non-government organizations.
The Cebu City fire incident, meanwhile, occurred at 7:15 am Thursday at a combined residential and commercial area in the uptown barangay of Apas.
No casualty was also reported in the said alarm that left an estimated damage cost of P350,000.
According to the Cebu City Fire Department (CCFD), the blaze gutted down six residential houses and four commercial establishments that are located along Wilson and Torralba streets.
A witness told fire investigators that she first saw a smoke coming from the abandoned residence of a certain Eleuterio Doños. She claimed the bamboo material-made house of Doños was then easily set ablaze.
CCFD personnel, however, were quick to respond, bringing right away the fire under control 17 minutes later, and putting it out at 8:35 am. The incident only reached a second alarm status.
It was the first fire alarm in the city of Cebu in this month’s Fire Prevention celebration./DMS
Thursday, March 3, 2005
Bomb hoax hits Davao-Manila flight of Cebu Pacific
By Ronron
March 2, 2005
Cebu - A supposed explosive lechon (roasted pig) on board a Davao-Manila flight of Cebu Pacific Wednesday afternoon caused aviation authorities to raise an alarm and order an emergency landing of Flight 5J-964 at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
The lechon cargo of passenger Hernan Inso, according to a text message received by a cargo handler of Cebu Pacific-Davao a few minutes after the said flight took off from Davao International Airport at 1:50pm, was said to contain a bomb, said 7th Police Center for Aviation Security (PCAS) chief Supt. Arturo Evangelista.
Following standard procedures on bomb threats, aviation authorities immediately advised the Cebu Pacific aircraft to touch down at the international airport here, which happened at 2:25pm, for proper checking.
Evangelista told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that all 78 passengers were then asked to disembark the plane with their hand-carry luggage, and were subsequently subjected to a physical check.
All cargo as well, especially the lechon of Inso, underwent the same procedure.
Evangelista said both Inso and his lechon cargo yielded negative in the respective checks.
Inso, 28, a seaman, told investigators he had no idea who initiated the hoax and what could the motive be, added Evangelista.
"We cleared Mr. Inso and we apologized to him for the hassle of being interrogated. But we explained to him and the rest of the passengers that it was necessary for everybody's safety," Evangelista said.
After the clearance, the said flight was then able to take off for Manila at 4:37pm and arrived about an hour later.
Authorities are now investigating the hoax, particularly by trying to trace the owner of the number that sent the bomb threat./DMS
March 2, 2005
Cebu - A supposed explosive lechon (roasted pig) on board a Davao-Manila flight of Cebu Pacific Wednesday afternoon caused aviation authorities to raise an alarm and order an emergency landing of Flight 5J-964 at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
The lechon cargo of passenger Hernan Inso, according to a text message received by a cargo handler of Cebu Pacific-Davao a few minutes after the said flight took off from Davao International Airport at 1:50pm, was said to contain a bomb, said 7th Police Center for Aviation Security (PCAS) chief Supt. Arturo Evangelista.
Following standard procedures on bomb threats, aviation authorities immediately advised the Cebu Pacific aircraft to touch down at the international airport here, which happened at 2:25pm, for proper checking.
Evangelista told Manila Shimbun in a phone interview that all 78 passengers were then asked to disembark the plane with their hand-carry luggage, and were subsequently subjected to a physical check.
All cargo as well, especially the lechon of Inso, underwent the same procedure.
Evangelista said both Inso and his lechon cargo yielded negative in the respective checks.
Inso, 28, a seaman, told investigators he had no idea who initiated the hoax and what could the motive be, added Evangelista.
"We cleared Mr. Inso and we apologized to him for the hassle of being interrogated. But we explained to him and the rest of the passengers that it was necessary for everybody's safety," Evangelista said.
After the clearance, the said flight was then able to take off for Manila at 4:37pm and arrived about an hour later.
Authorities are now investigating the hoax, particularly by trying to trace the owner of the number that sent the bomb threat./DMS
Thursday, February 24, 2005
DOT spends $4 million for RP promotional ads in China, Korea and Japan
By Ronron
February 23, 2005
Cebu – The Philippines’ department of Tourism (DOT) allotted $4 million dollars (or over P200 million) for promotional advertisements about the country in Greater China, South Korea and Japan which are in lieu of the ads shown in the past years in the Cable News Network (CNN).
This was revealed recently by Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, explaining that there is a need to aggressively promote the Philippines in these so-called short-haul sources over the more-sensitive countries like Europe.
“Last month, we started coming up with television and print advertisements in Japan, Greater China and Korea. It cost us $4 million for these three markets, for the entire year. And these ads are in Japanese, Chinese and Korean, so that the people in these places can really understand the ads,” Durano told reporters here last Monday.
Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan and Hongkong have been regarded by DOT as the primary markets considering that 60% of the foreign tourists who arrived in the Philippines last year came from these countries.
European countries and the rest of the Asia Pacific, meanwhile, were categorized as secondary markets in the agency’s campaign efforts since they only account for the lesser percentage of the two million foreign tourists who visited the Philippines in 2004.
Durano disclosed that the promotional ads about the Philippines that were shown internationally through CNN in the past years under the term of then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon have already been pulled out.
“We did not renew our contract with CNN because we had to change our marketing strategy. The ads on CNN were in English. And these could not be understood by the Chinese, Japanese and Korean tourists. Our advertisements should be in the Japanese, Chinese and Korean languages. That’s why we had to go directly to each of these countries,” Durano explained.
Durano said that the new television and print ads are tailored to the agency’s main marketing strategy, which is promoting the Philippines as a brand. “The advertisement shows a summary of how beautiful the Philippines is,” he said.
The concentration of the DOT’s promotional activities in these markets, however, is not only due to the arrival statistics factor but also has something to do with the existing global threat of terrorism.
“We are concentrating our promotional activities in what we call as short-haul markets, namely South Korea, Hongkong, Japan, Taiwan and China because they are not as sensitive as the European and North American markets in terms of terrorism threats, which is a global reality,” the tourism secretary said.
It can be recalled that the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada recently issued travel advisories on the Philippines following the separate bombings last February 14 in the cities of Makati, Davao and General Santos.
Durano said the terror threat is always incorporated in the agency’s planning.
“The Philippines always suffer every time we are pictured out negatively in the international media, such as in Japan. That’s why we have to get longer air time there, and we have to show the beauty of our country using their own dialect,” he pointed out. A DOT press release stated that the ads in Japan build on the image of the Philippines as “Premium Resort Islands” since studies showed that the words “resorts” and “islands” generate a positive image in the minds of Japanese tourists.
The approach being used for China, on the other hand, is such that the ads will educate the Chinese about the Philippines. “China is a new market. Last year, we had about 40,000 Chinese tourists. But they don’t know much about the Philippines. They want to know what they can do here. So we have to educate them,” Durano said.
In the case of South Korea, Durano said it is necessary to promote further the Philippines there through these ads in spite of the increasing number of Korean tourists here to be able to sustain the market. The marketing program in Korea uses the slogan “Feel The Islands,” a phrase derived from “Burinara,” a popular word in Korea.
Along with these efforts is the campaign intended for the North American Balikbayan market and the domestic market as well, tagged “I Love Philippines! Biyahe Na!”
“The goal of the DOT is to create demand for the Philippines. This is the way to bring in tourists,” said Durano, who aims to bring in 2.668 million tourists for this year, and five million in the next five years./DMS
February 23, 2005
Cebu – The Philippines’ department of Tourism (DOT) allotted $4 million dollars (or over P200 million) for promotional advertisements about the country in Greater China, South Korea and Japan which are in lieu of the ads shown in the past years in the Cable News Network (CNN).
This was revealed recently by Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, explaining that there is a need to aggressively promote the Philippines in these so-called short-haul sources over the more-sensitive countries like Europe.
“Last month, we started coming up with television and print advertisements in Japan, Greater China and Korea. It cost us $4 million for these three markets, for the entire year. And these ads are in Japanese, Chinese and Korean, so that the people in these places can really understand the ads,” Durano told reporters here last Monday.
Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan and Hongkong have been regarded by DOT as the primary markets considering that 60% of the foreign tourists who arrived in the Philippines last year came from these countries.
European countries and the rest of the Asia Pacific, meanwhile, were categorized as secondary markets in the agency’s campaign efforts since they only account for the lesser percentage of the two million foreign tourists who visited the Philippines in 2004.
Durano disclosed that the promotional ads about the Philippines that were shown internationally through CNN in the past years under the term of then Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon have already been pulled out.
“We did not renew our contract with CNN because we had to change our marketing strategy. The ads on CNN were in English. And these could not be understood by the Chinese, Japanese and Korean tourists. Our advertisements should be in the Japanese, Chinese and Korean languages. That’s why we had to go directly to each of these countries,” Durano explained.
Durano said that the new television and print ads are tailored to the agency’s main marketing strategy, which is promoting the Philippines as a brand. “The advertisement shows a summary of how beautiful the Philippines is,” he said.
The concentration of the DOT’s promotional activities in these markets, however, is not only due to the arrival statistics factor but also has something to do with the existing global threat of terrorism.
“We are concentrating our promotional activities in what we call as short-haul markets, namely South Korea, Hongkong, Japan, Taiwan and China because they are not as sensitive as the European and North American markets in terms of terrorism threats, which is a global reality,” the tourism secretary said.
It can be recalled that the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada recently issued travel advisories on the Philippines following the separate bombings last February 14 in the cities of Makati, Davao and General Santos.
Durano said the terror threat is always incorporated in the agency’s planning.
“The Philippines always suffer every time we are pictured out negatively in the international media, such as in Japan. That’s why we have to get longer air time there, and we have to show the beauty of our country using their own dialect,” he pointed out. A DOT press release stated that the ads in Japan build on the image of the Philippines as “Premium Resort Islands” since studies showed that the words “resorts” and “islands” generate a positive image in the minds of Japanese tourists.
The approach being used for China, on the other hand, is such that the ads will educate the Chinese about the Philippines. “China is a new market. Last year, we had about 40,000 Chinese tourists. But they don’t know much about the Philippines. They want to know what they can do here. So we have to educate them,” Durano said.
In the case of South Korea, Durano said it is necessary to promote further the Philippines there through these ads in spite of the increasing number of Korean tourists here to be able to sustain the market. The marketing program in Korea uses the slogan “Feel The Islands,” a phrase derived from “Burinara,” a popular word in Korea.
Along with these efforts is the campaign intended for the North American Balikbayan market and the domestic market as well, tagged “I Love Philippines! Biyahe Na!”
“The goal of the DOT is to create demand for the Philippines. This is the way to bring in tourists,” said Durano, who aims to bring in 2.668 million tourists for this year, and five million in the next five years./DMS
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