1 killed, 9 hurt as truck rams store in Agusan del Sur

One person was killed while nine others were injured when a wayward truck rammed a sari-sari store in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Thursday, police reported.

Superintendent Martin Gamba, Caraga regional police spokesman, said a blue Isuzu dropside truck rammed the store in front of the Davao Central Warehouse along the National Highway, Brgy. 4, around 12:15 p.m.

Local police have yet to determine the identities of the fatality and the injured, who were brought to the Democrito Plaza Memorial Hospital in Prosperidad, Gamba said.

Authorities have also yet to identify the truck’s driver, who immediately escaped after the incident, he said.

The truck, which was only bearing a temporary plate (7C-7983), was found to be registered to one Fernando Tambis. (John Roson)

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2 killed, 4 hurt in bus-truck collision in Camarines Norte

Two people were killed while four others were injured when a passenger bus and a cargo truck collided head-on in Talisay, Camarines Norte, police confirmed Thursday.

Superintendent Renato Bataller, Bicol regional police spokesman, identified the fatalities as DLTB bus driver Edgardo Roll, 42, and a certain Eman, a truck helper.

Bus passengers Fernando Ramores, 31; Mark James Fulgencia, 8; Jesse Emmanuel Salazar, 20; and Edison Sevilla, 17, another truck helper, were brought to the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital due to injuries on the different parts of the body, Bataller said in a phone interview.

The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, while Marjon de Jesus was driving the Fuso Canter truck (CSV-811), which was loaded with steel bars, along the Maharlika Highway in Brgy. Itomang.

“Medyo mabilis ang takbo niya (De Jesus) at pagdating doon sa lugar na pinangyarihan, sumampa po itong trak dun sa mga nakatambak na mga sako ng graba at buhangin dun sa ginagawang kalsada,” Bataller said.

Due to the impact, De Jesus lost control of the truck which then swerved to the opposite lane, where it smashed into the incoming bus.

De Jesus is presently detained at the Talisay Police Station while charges are being prepared against him, Bataller said. (John Roson)

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Militiaman shot dead in Albay

Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) members shot dead a government militiaman at a dance party in Manito, Albay, Wednesday night, police said Thursday.

Ignacio Daet Jr., a member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary based in Brgy. San Francisco, Legazpi City, succumbed to a bullet wound on the back, Supt. Renato Bataller, Bicol regional police spokesman, said.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. in Brgy. Pawa.

Daet was attending the village’s “Mr. & Mrs.” benefit dance when shot by an undetermined number of rebels, Bataller said in a text message. (John Roson)

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DENR employee gunned down

Armed men shot dead an employee of the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR) in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, the other day (Wednesday), police reported.

Ricardo Magallanes, 53, a resident of Brgy. Tambis, was brought to the Democrito Plaza Memorial Hospital due to a bullet wound on his back, but was declared dead on arrival by doctors, Caraga regional police spokesman Supt. Martin Gamba said.

The incident occurred around 8 a.m. while Magallanes was riding his motorcycle to the public market.

Two men riding on another motorcycle tailed Magallanes and shot him in Brgy. Poblacion, Gamba said.

Members of the Barobo Police recovered two fired cartridges, believed to be from a caliber-.45 pistol, from the crime scene.

Investigators are still trying to determine the assailants’ identities and motive as of this writing. (John Roson)

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More Chinese ships seen at Panatag Shoal

More Chinese law enforcement vessels have been spotted in Panatag Shoal (international name: Scarborough Shoal) as the standoff between the Philippines and China neared its second month, a security official said.

As of Thursday morning, authorities monitored four Chinese Maritime Surveillance (CMS) vessels and three Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC) vessels, the official said on condition of anonymity.

The number of vessels increased from only two CMS ships and three FLEC vessels reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs last week.

The security official said there are now only eight Chinese fishing vessels at the shoal and no “utility boats” were spotted.

Last May 23, the DFA reported that there were 16 Chinese fishing vessels and 56 “utility boats” at the shoal.

The standoff started on April 10, when a Philippine Navy ship tried to arrest Chinese fishermen on vessels carrying corals, endangered giant clams, and live sharks poached from Philippine waters.

Asean-China ties ‘unaffected’ – DND

Meanwhile, Department of National Defense spokesman Dr. Peter Paul Galvez said yesterday that military ties between the Association and Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China remain unaffected by issues in the West Philippine Sea, including the standoff in Panatag.

He said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and other Asean defense chiefs discussed the issue during their meeting in Cambodia.

“When the issue of the West Philippine Sea was touched, the ASEAN Defense Ministers have concurred that the defense and military cooperation between ASEAN and China remained unaffected,” Galvez said in a statement.

Galvez, however, pointed out that Asean member-states stand put in their commitment to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

“Likewise, together with the rest of the ASEAN, we underscore the importance of freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the South China Sea as provided for by universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he said. (John Roson)

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2 hurt as bomb explodes near Basilan mayor’s home

Two people were injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off outside the home of Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Akbar in Basilan Thursday noon, police said.

Superintendent Allan Nazarro, Isabela City police chief, said the explosion occurred near the gate of Akbar’s home in Sunrise Village around 12:15.

“Nakalagay po sa motorcycle ‘yung IED… may mga dumadaan na sasakyan nung mangyari ‘yung pagsabog,” Nazarro said in a phone interview.

Captain Albert Caber, spokesman of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said vehicles of Isabela City Vice Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibun and the Red Cross were passing by when the bomb went off.

One of those injured was Jonathan Cabuyao, who was riding the Red Cross vehicle, Caber said in a text message.

Ajibun, who just came from a regular session of the city council, believes that he was the “target” of the bombing, Caber added.

Nazarro, meanwhile, said those injured only suffered “slight injuries” and were not taken to the hospital.

“Hindi na sila nagpadala sa ospital, sa mga bahay lang, puro slight lang ang injuries sa kamay,” he said, adding that some of the vehicles that passed by were also hit by shrapnels.

Investigators are still trying to determine the identities and motive of those who planted the explosive as of this writing.

Brigadier Gen. Rainier Cruz, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, directed the military units in Isabela City to help police in the investigation and be “extra vigilant” while maintaining peace and order in the locality, Caber said. (John Roson)

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4 killed, 7 hurt in bus-SUV smashup in Quezon

Four people were killed while seven others were injured when a sports utility vehicle (SUV) collided head-on with a ro-ro bus in Tagkawayan, Quezon, Wednesday night, police reported.

Killed on the spot were the SUV’s driver, Arnel Repol, 37, of Hongkong Village, Cabuyao, Laguna; and his passengers Arriane Repol, 21; Harold Repol, 15; and a still unidentified female, who was also riding the SUV, PO2 Nestor Lantin, investigator at the Tagkawayan Police, said in his report.

Bus passengers Lucita Favor, 59; Tristan Jay Salvacion, 21; Ana Saldevar, 42; Kathleen Cate Agarao, 22; Kim Carl Roxas, 5; Rose Marie Amante, 45; and Violenia Suroten, 55; were all injured and brought to the Tagkawayan District Hospital, Lantin said.

The incident occurred around 10:15 p.m. while Repol was maneuvering his Ford Everest (ZAH-229) through a descending curve along the Quirino Highway, Brgy. San Francisco, en route to Metro Manila.

While overtaking another vehicle, the Ford Everest occupied the opposite lane and collided with the incoming Ro-Ro bus (TXV-921), which was being then being driven by Rainer Mabuti towards the Bicol region, Lantin said.

Mabuti is presently detained at the Tagkawayan Police Station while appropriate charges are being prepared. (John Roson)

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At least 2 hurt as rebels attack detachment, community in Agusan del Sur

At least two civilians were injured when New People’s Army (NPA) members attacked a militia detachment and a civilian community in San Luis, Agusan del Sur, early Wednesday, a military spokesman said.

A soldier’s wife and a militiaman’s child were hurt when the rebels attacked the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) detachment at Kilometer 41, Brgy. Binicalan, around 3 a.m., Maj. Eugenio Osias, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said.

“Before they (rebels) did it, they fired upon the civilian houses na malapit sa detachment para ipakita na ganun sila kalakas, kaya may mga tinamaan na mga civilian other than dun sa dalawa,” Osias said in a phone interview.

The regional military spokesman declined to name soldier’s wife and militiaman’s child pending clearance from higher-ups, but said the two have been brought to a hospital.

It was not immediately known if any of the soldiers and militiamen manning the detachment, which is under the control of the Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion, were hurt.

The military has yet to determine where the civilians who were hurt when the rebels strafed houses near the detachment were brought.

Osias said they have also yet to determine how many rebels carried out the simultaneous attacks.

“They (rebels) mustered enough numbers para maka-sustain ng ganung katagal na pag-atake, para ma-cover nila pati ‘yung sa community… quite overwhelming siguro, talagang dinamihan din nila,” he said.

According to Osias, rebels want to regain control of the village since losing their influence there last year.

“Nawalan na sila ng foothold doon sa area lalong-lalo na nung nahuli natin si commander Boom, ‘yung guerilla front secretary, late last year. Nung nahuli yan, marami nang (rebelde ang) bumaba, nag-surrender… they want to recover it now,” the regional military spokesman said. (John Roson)

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Brgy. chair gunned down in Iloilo

A barangay chairman died after being shot by a still unidentified assailant in Cabatuan, Iloilo, early Monday, police said.

Felix Muel Jr., chairman of Brgy. Pamuringao Proper, succumbed to bullet wounds that went from the neck through the forehead, and from the back of the head through the left side, Senior Supt. Gil Lebin, Iloilo Provincial Police director, said.

The shooting occurred around 1:45 a.m., shortly after Muel left the village’s basketball court where he led the awarding ceremony for the local league, Lebin said in his report.

Muel was about to board his Mitsubishi L-300 van (FDT-706) when he was shot.

The village chief’s son Stanley, who was inside the van, had just opened the door when gunshots rang, Lebin said.

After seeing his father fall down the pavement, Stanley brought the former to the Tabiana Memorial District Hospital, but the elder Muel was declared dead by doctors.

Authorities are still trying to determine the assailant’s identity and motive as of this writing. (John Roson)

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San Juan SWAT chief drowns in Batangas

The acting chief of the San Juan City police’s equivalent of the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) team drowned in a diving accident in Mabini, Batangas, Sunday morning, police said.

Chief Insp. Elpidio Duenas, Batangas Provincial Police spokesman, identified the fatality as Senior Insp. Renato Samson, 36.

Samson is the current commander of the San Juan City Police Station 7 and officer-in-charge of the Special Reaction Unit (SRU), according to the city police’s official website.

Insp. Florintino Buenafe, deputy chief of the Mabini Police, said the incident occurred around 9 a.m. while Samson and seven other policemen were scuba diving in waters off Brgy. Ligaya.

“According sa kanyang (Samson) mga kasama na pulis din, sumabit ang kanyang diving gear sa tali ng kanilang bouya. Nagte-training daw sila on search and rescue. About 20 meters deep sila noon,” Buenafe said.

Samson’s companions eventually managed to pull him out of the water and brought him to the Mabini General Hospital, but he was declared dead upon arrival by the attending physician Dr. Jigger Gilera, Duenas said. (John Roson)

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