News Briefs: February 16, 2017

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Stories from across the Philippines on Thursday, February 16


Former Bacolod university professor yields P500,000 worth of marijuana

 

BACOLOD CITY – A former professor of a university here was arrested after P500,000 worth of marijuana was recovered from his possession during a buy-bust operation at the Southbound Terminal, Wednesday afternoon, February 15.

The suspect was identified as Eduardo Simons, 54, of Barangay Villamonte.

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-18 recovered 10 kilos of suspected dried marijuana leaves from his bag, said Roselyn Borja, officer-in-charge of PDEA-18. They were in various containers like plastic jar, garbage bags, and plastic bags, she added.

She said authorities had been monitoring the activities of the suspect for quite some time now. Simons would get the contraband from the Mountain Province in Luzon, then transport it by land for distribution in Negros Occidental. Marchel Espina

 


Cebu Pacific launches new flights to Masbate, Romblon

 

MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Pacific Air has launched flights to Masbate and Tablas from Manila, the company announced Wednesday, February 15.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Cebgo, the airline now flies daily between Manila and Masbate, and four times a week between Manila and Tablas.

“We believe that both leisure and business travelers alike will take delight in visiting these two placesto further stimulate trade and tourism,” Alexander Lao, Cebgo president and CEO, said in a statement.

The airline said the new routes will also enhance its air cargo services in Luzon.

The company will utilize its new ATR 72-600 aircraft for the Masbate and Tablas services. – Rappler.com

 


QC to provide free birth registration for indigents

 

MANILA, Philippines – The local government of Quezon City is targeting to provide free birth registration to 500 residents in Barangay Pag-Asa, as part of the civil registry caravan of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The city’s Civil Registry Department will hold a free birth registration event, dubbed as “Operation: Birthright,” at Barangay Pag-Asa’s Sitio San Roque along Agham Road, on Friday, February 17, and will give priority to unregistered residents below 18 years old.

There will also be a lecture series and consultations, as well as a medical mission by QC health officials.

Mayor Herbert Bautista and National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Lisa Grace Bersales have been invited to attend the free registration event.

This is also part of the celebration of the Civil Registration Month this February, the city government said in a press release. – Rappler.com 

 


Napocor appoints new VP for engineering

 

MANILA, Philippines – The National Power Corporation (Napocor) has appointed Rogelio Teves as its new vice president for power engineering services.

Teves, a lawyer and engineer by training, was previously Napocor’s head for its design and development unit, which works on feasibility studies of power and transmission projects, engineering-related design, and tender documents and cost estimates, the company said in a release Wednesday, February 15.

He joined Napocor in 1990 as a cadet engineer, fresh from his graduation from the University of the East with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was hired as an engineer in 1992 and rose through the company’s ranks.

The company’s power engineering services division “manages implementation of power projects including construction, quality and cost control; and provides specialty services like engineering surveys, hydrological studies, geological services, materials investigation and testing, social engineering and right-of-way acquisition among others.” – Rappler.com

 


Former Arayat mayor, village chief, 3 others nabbed for guns

 

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – The former 3-term mayor of Arayat town in Pampanga, a village chief and 3 others were arrested after an hour-long firefight with the police before dawn on Wednesday, February 15.

Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, identified the former town mayor as Luis “Chito” Espino, 56, resident of Alonzo Subdivision, Mangga-Cacutud village in Arayat.

The other arrested suspects are Mangga-Cacutud village chief Rosendo Dizon, 42; Romy Mallari, 42; Rosauro Dillera, 35; and Cesar Peralta, 25.

Two policemen from the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force’s Rapid Deployment Battalion, identified as PO2 Robert Ron Fernandez and SPO1 Joy Venturillo, were allegedly shot by Espino during the firefight.

The police were serving a search warrant issued by the Cabanatuan City Regional Trial Court, in connection with the former mayor’s alleged violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Instead of cooperating with the police, Espino fired at the police, before later deciding to surrender. The former mayor later admitted to firing shots at the police.

Firearms and illegal drugs were seized from the house. However, Espino said the confiscated drugs, identified by police as shabu, were not theirs, and was “planted.” – Jun A. Malig

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!