CARIGARA, LEYTE–A wrong u-turn caused the untimely death of one student and seriously injured three others on board a single Honda wave motorcycle Monday morning at the national road in Barugohay central, this town.

Carigara police reported that Jessie Makabenta, driver of the motorcycle, was on his way to ferry three students to their school at Carigara National High School-Jugaban annex when he quickly stopped and made a u-turn upon seeing the presence of Land Transportation Office (LTO) personnel on the road.

Immediately thereafter they were accidentally hit by a tailing Nissan Urban van with plate no. VHS 133.

The driver of the van, Raul Alao, 37 years old, with professional driver license, immediately surrendered to the Carigara Police after the incident.

One rider of the motorcycle, Marlon Narido, didn’t make it alive at Carigara District Hospital.

The other two passengers were identified as Rolina Lyn Makabenta and Lemark Makabenta, who sustained injuries in the different parts of their bodies.

Police reported that Jessie Makabenta didn’t have a driver license and proper documents for his motorcycle.

Responding authorities were SPO2 Alberto Parena, SPO4 Juan Taue, SPO3 Rito Pallomina, SPO2 Remegio Combinido, SPO3 Teodorico Lucelo, SPO2 Sherwin Machete, and PO2 Ted Dennis Clemencio.

BARUGO, Leyte – A road accident claimed one life and seriously injured two others Thursday afternoon July 8 when a private-owned vehicle bumped “habal-habal” along the secondary national road in Brgy. San Roque, this town.

Responding police identified the driver of the black Mitsubishi pajero with plate No. XGT 521 as Reynaldo Uy, legal age, married. He voluntarily surrendered to the authorities after the accident.

The team from Barugo police station was composed of SPO2 Graciano Astilla, PO2 Adonies Avorque amd PO1 Jessie Holasca.

The other victims were identified as Jerry Insigne, 25, married, owner and driver of the red TMX Honda motorcycle with plate No. HB 4446, and his two passengers Alfeo Avestruz and Nolly Avila,both residents of this town.

All the victims were immediately brought to a district hospital in Carigara town, some 6 kms. away.

However Alfeo Avestruz was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. The others were then brought to other hospitals in Tacloban city due to the serious injuries they sustained.

In an initial report, Uy was driving his vehicle along Brgy. San Roque road when he accidentally bumped into Insigne with his two passengers in the opposite direction.
Insigne was thrown out from his motorcycle into a river due to the strong impact of the collision.

Uy is now temporarily detained awaiting for proper disposition of the case.

TACLOBAN CITY—Jobs!

This is what in a nutshell for governor-elect Jericho “Icot” Petilla as he is now heading on his last term of his office in the province.

In a recently held Kapihan ha PIA in Tacloban city, Petilla reiterated his priorities in the remaining three years as top most manager in Leyte.

“ Our focus hasn’t been changed. Since I assumed in 2004, my priorities have always been about creating opportunities for livelihood in the province.”

Speaking before the media, Petilla said that he had felt that there are still so many things to accomplish as his years being a governor will soon to expire.

“ Even though our basic services such as health-care, education and infrastructure are now in place, for most of us getting an income is still the most important thing at the end of the day, “ Petilla said.

He however added that he is now more confident to prove that his critics are wrong.

“ Before, I felt hesitant to receive any award like with the development in our medical programs as I felt that we haven’t able to really maximize in the delivery of our services, yet today I can say that we are already there.”

Also, Petilla bared the ongoing progress in his pet project at Leyte Academic Center (LAC) in Palo, also citing that his  Income Creating Opportunities thru Technology Project (ICOT-P) has continued to change the lives of the many job-seekers in the region.

“ We still remain in the forefront in terms of providing world-class facilities and training  for Information and communication technology in the region.”

“ I always remind our investors of the advantages of putting their businesses here lest we will open our doors to outsiders and invite competitions, “ Petilla said.

To date, LAC continues to house various learning centers, call centers and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, thereby providing steady source of revenue and livelihood to the province.(with reports from Eden Benusa-Reyes)

CARIGARA, Leyte—Out-going president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD party will still be a force to reckon in the next 15th congress.

So said congressman-elect Sergio A. F. Apostol of the 2nd district of Leyte amid impending exodus of Lakas members to the Liberal party of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III by the time the latter will sit into office come June 30.

“ The party remains solid. Judging by our numbers in congress, we are still formidable.”

Apostol added that the position of their party under Aquino’s administration would be of the opposition.

He however added that they will be cooperative on legislative agenda which would benefit the entire nation.

“ Many things will be expected from the new president. It is important that he’ll get the support from everyone. We’re also working towards that purpose, ” he said.

The race for speakership

On a personal note, Apostol said that the race for speakership is getting crucial with their partymates and coalition parties.

It was learned that Lakas is bent on getting the support from other coalitions for Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman or Quezon Rep. Danny Suarez.

Apostol then said that Pres. Arroyo, now 2nd district of Pampanga representative, will not be seeking the post for speakership.

He added that Rep. Arroyo would just be a regular member in the 15th congress.

“ The contest will be among Quezon city 4th district Rep. Feliciano Belmonte, Lagman or Suarez. Apparently, the Liberal is not receptive with the support coming from our other coalitions.”

In a separate report, it was learned that Lakas-Kampi-CMD is still expected to dominate in the political landscape in the country as majority of its members had won last May 10 election.

“ Politics in the Philippines is always local. When you go outside Manila, you will feel the impact of your party among the local leaders who are your partymates, ” Apostol said.

Apostol then chided that this was the reason why Lakas presidential bet Gilbert ” Gibo” Teodoro failed last May due to some allegations coming from local party officials that they were not being properly taken care of by him. (with reports from Eden Benusa-Reyes)

CARIGARA, Leyte–The next time you call them as lowly fishermen, think again.

This is what Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director for Eastern Visayas Juan Albaladejo has to say on the new thrust of their office to turn ordinary fishermen in the region into seafood growers.

“We are now encouraging our fishermen to take the big step forward to improve their livelihood rather than be stuck as common fishermen till the rest of their lives. More opportunities will be at hand for them if they try marine farming.”

In an interview, Albaladejo said that he is inviting fishermen in the region to avail their new program and its livelihood components to improve their produce and income.

BFAR new program includes the culturing of high valued seafood like abalone, blue crab, seaweed, and milkfish.

“Our research yielded a very convincing report that these marine products are in demand in the market, both local and abroad,” Albaladejo said.

“For those who are interested in seaweed growing, we will give them the necessary materials so they can operate their marine farm. What they only have to do is return the materials after their harvest.”

“This offer is free of charge. We’ll be giving them technical assistance, too. What we also need from them is their whole-hearted interest and commitment to this program,” he added.

For those who like to invest in milk fish (bangus) farming in the region, Albaladejo also said that their office is selling fingerlings at the very low price compared to that of commercial dealers.

“It is true that there has been a noted decline in some of our high valued marine products due to over-fishing, poaching, and destruction of our fish sanctuaries, yet this doesn’t mean that there is no solution on this. By becoming sea farmers, our fishery business will be more profitable and exciting again.”

Albaladejo said that fishermen in the region should take this opportunity as marine farming has yet to be fully realized in the country.

“We want our region to be at the forefront of this since marine development in the country is not yet fully tapped despite its geological advantage. One example is our mari-culture park in San Juanico Strait, in Leyte where only ten percent of it was still used at present. We need our fishermen to shift and try new undertaking like this.”

He said that interested applicants may visit any BFAR office near their area to get more info about the program.

Albaladejo then said that his men in the fields can also do the briefing for the beneficiaries of marine farming.

CARIGARA, Leyte—The chance is slim now for TV model Lucy Torres-Gomez in her bid to replace her husband’s candidacy in the 4th district of Leyte, especially that campaign period is due to end next week.

Atty. Sergio Apostol, a veteran judge and legal expert had this on the Gomezes and on the recent Comelec’s ruling disqualifying actor Richard “Goma” Gomez on his candidacy due to his failure to establish the required one-year residency.

“Although the Comelec has yet to decide on his appeal, I think it’s not wise for Goma to field his wife as it only brings disorder to his campaign and supporters.”

Apostol added that it will be a long and tedious fight for Goma before he can get the final decision on his case as this is expected in the country’s legal system.

“Goma must have known better. People now are no longer particular on the celebrity status of the candidate. If you’re popular, the more your enemies will go against you. And at the end of the day, it is the legality that matters against popularity. Now a great deal of resources is wasted on his part,” Apostol said.

“If I were him, I would not allow Lucy to run. It’s going to be a tall order, as our jurisprudence is clear on a case like this.”

CARIGARA, Leyte – Wishful thinking or not, yet Lakas-Kampi-CMD party stalwart Atty. Sergio Apostol assured presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro a solid and winning vote in Leyte’s 2nd congressional district.

“Gibo will make it here this May 10. Believe it or not, we’ll be turning Apostol country into Gibo’s country, as well.”

Apostol added that with this development, Teodoro’s chances of winning would be bolstered from his bailiwick.

“Twelve out of fourteen towns have already signified full support for Gibo. This gave us great confidence that we can deliver 229,000 votes for him.”

“Before our problem was in the towns of Tabontabon and Barugo, but this has been acted upon already in our campaign sorties recently. We may not own the two sitting mayors in these towns but we have had convinced almost all of their other local and village leaders to be with us for Gibo,” Apostol said.

For one, he added that the incumbent vice-mayor Juliana Villasin of Barugo, who is also the party’s mayoral bet, could deliver a winning streak for Gibo considering that Villasin is seen as the strongest candidate in the town.

Apostol then mentioned that Gibo’s chances of winning the presidency is due to his clear platform and solid track records in governance during his stint in Congress and as Defense chief, not to mention his being a top lawyer in the country.

Apostol then assured that the 14 towns in his district, namely, Barugo, Burauen, Carigara, Capoocan, Dagami, Dulag, Jaro, Julita, La Paz, Mac Arthur, Mayorga, Tabontabon, Pastrana and Tunga are now already intact for Gibo.

Automation

Meanwhile, Apostol lashed out on the critics of the automated election.

He said that the country’s electoral reform could be wholly implemented if automation takes place in the May 10 election.

“Our country is spending 13 billion for this in order to stop poll cheating, but they don’t seem to understand this reason.”

“ It is understandable that some people are apprehensive when a change will take place in a system, however this doesn’t mean that change will not be introduced due to our fears. This country will not move forward if we’ll be talking about age-old manual counting again,” Apostol said.

All is well

In a separate report, Apostol also assured his constituents that everything is fine with regards to the party’s support from the their national headquarter and on his health.

Discussing this with anchor Hector Go over Radyo Diwa-Tacloban, Apostol said that they are scheduled to meet with Gibo in Cebu this weekend to finalize their campaign activities for the last time before May 10.

Together with him on their sorties here were his wife Rep. Trinidad “Ebbie “ Apostol, who is aiming for mayoral post in Carigara, and their daughter incumbent mayor Anlie Go Apostol, who is also running as board member in the 2nd district altogether with Atty. Nico Villasin.

If former Malacañang chief legal adviser will be asked, Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra’s decision in clearing two top powerful Ampatuans on their hands in the murder of 57 people – to include journalists and women–in Maguindanao last November 23, 2009 was untimely.

This was the opinion of Atty. Sergio Apostol when asked comments on the updates of the Maguindanao massacre which was met with frustrating developments in connection to Agra’s recent pronouncement.

Apostol then chided that the problem with Agra is that he is new to the job.

He however believed that Agra must have sought somebody’s clearance with regards to his resolution.

Apostol, a veteran lawyer, legal professor and former judge, commented that Agra should have also take into consideration the pressing issues revolving the Ampatuans.

He hinted on several issues besetting the country like the national election this May 10, 2010 and the gravity of the case.

In a separate report, it can be recalled that the Ampatuan clan maintained a stronghold in the vote-rich Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and had delivered a big boost to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s election campaign in 2004 being party stalwart.

Absolved by Agra’s decision in connection to Maguindanao multiple murder case were suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan and Datu Akmad Tato Ampatuan.

Families and supporters of the victims however continued to vigil and hold protest for Agra to reconsider his decision the soonest possible time.

They are also calling the government to act decisively on the case and not on the merit of political expediency and collusion.

Barugo, Leyte—A grim murder woke up this sleepy town in Leyte when a 3-year old girl who was allegedly kidnapped three days ago was found dead at town’s riverdike this Saturday morning, March 27.

The child was identified as Mary Anna Acebo.

According to her mother, Malou, the girl was last seen playing along with other children in the “piryahan” or mini-carnival around twenty meters from their house.

She was told that around 6:30 pm , Wednesday (March 24), an unidentified man brought her child in a tricycle heading to the neighboring town of Carigara, some 5 kms. away.

They then started searching at the town streets and plaza yet to no avail.

Later, a bystander confirmed that he saw the child riding in a tricycle during that evening but he didn’t recognized the driver nor aware that the child was already being kidnapped.

“ I saw the child just sitting quietly in the tricycle. She was eating a lollipop. And I even told the driver not to drive too fast because the child might fall from the tricycle,” he said in vernacular.

It was only after three days that the child was found again, this time already dead and wounded.

A fisherman who happened to pass the river alerted the neighborhood that he saw a child around 6 o’ clock this Saturday morning lying cold in the riverdike.

Immediately, the family rushed into the scene and later identified the dead body to be Mary Ann.

Meanwhile, local authorities has scheduled an immediate autopsy today (Saturday).

This to rule out the cause of the child’s death and to give answer to a rumor spreading in the town that there is a “cult” or a syndicate operating in the town’s villages and province who snatch children and sell their organs to other people.

It was learned that the child’s eyes were no longer found in her body and that she was also dripping in blood as if there was a “cut” somewhere, according to the family of the victim.

“They returned my child but she’s already dead. I have to know why!” said the mother in anguish.

Barugo Mayor Alden Avestruz, who also rushed into the house of the victim, helped the family to have the body be autopsied and the case be investigated at once.

In a chance interview, Avestruz also said that they still have to wait for an autopsy report to confirm the cause of the child’s death.

Avestruz also contacted other mayors in the neighboring towns to verify whether they also receive similar reports of missing or abducted children who were later returned dead.

The 19th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army disclosed that civilians observed the presence of unidentified armed men in their barangay.

For feat that said unidentified men might sow harm and damage in the area, the same civilians reported the observation to the 19th IB.

Upon receiving the report, a 19th IB team led by SSg Leano, immediately responded and went to the area to confirm the report.

True enough, the team encountered the armed group alleged to be elements of several landlords in the area.

A firefight ensued and lasted for about five minutes resulting to the death of one of the armed men and to the confiscation of one Ingram Sub machine gun pistol.

On the part of the government operatives, a certain Pfc Joseph Macabatas was wounded, brought to a hospital and is now in good condition.

The elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion gave the assurance that they are always ready to answer the call of duty for the sake of the people who need their services.

They also gave the assurance that they will continue to coordinate with the local police enforcers for the speedy conduct of the necessary services fpr the speedy resolution of the case.