2 soldiers killed in clash with NPA in Agusan del Sur

Two soldiers were killed as government troops clashed with New People’s Army (NPA) members in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, on Saturday, just a few days after the rebel group carried out an attack that left five civilians dead in the same town.

Lt. Col. Leo Bongosia, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said the clash occurred in Brgy. Maliwanag around 4 p.m.

Members of the 26th Infantry Battalion encountered about 15 rebels and the firefight lasted for about 15 minutes, Bongosia said in a text message.

The clash came just four days after NPA members killed five civilian workers and burned several heavy equipment of agro-industrial firm Shannalyne Corp. in Brgy. Hawilian on Tuesday.

The NPA claims that the attack was punishment for Shannalyne’s “land-grabbing” and “environmentally-destructive activities,” while the military says the incident stemmed from the company’s refusal to give in to the rebel group’s “extortion.”

Pursuit against those who attacked are still ongoing despite Saturday’s deadly clash, Bongosia said. (John Roson)

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Suspected Abu Sayyaf abduct 2 Fil-Algerians in Sulu

Suspected Abu Sayyaf members abducted two Filipino-Algerians working for a royalty, in Patikul, Sulu, Saturday morning, a military official said.

Col. Jose Johriel Cenabre, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, identified the victims as siblings Linda Abdel Basit and Nadova Abdel Basit.

The two work as public relations officers for the group Tausug Citizen, which is led by Sultan Bantilan Muhammad Muizzuddin and based in Brgy. Kajatian, Indanan, Cenabre said in a text message.

The abduction occurred around 9:30 a.m. in Sitio Baunuh, Brgy. Liang.

Information gathered from the area indicated that Linda and Nadova were riding a passenger jeepney from Jolo to Patikul, when eight armed men flagged down the vehicle and took the sisters, Cenabre said.

The abductors, believed to be members of the Abu Sayyaf’s so-called “urban terrorist group,” were led by a certain Ninok Sappari, according to the military official.

Pursuit operations have been launched to track down the abductors and victims, he said. (John Roson)

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Chinese ship probed for possible white sand quarrying near Malapascua Island

Authorities are investigating the Chinese vessel found near Malapascua Island, Cebu, for possible illegal activities, including quarrying sand and pebbles, officials said Saturday.

Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo, Coast Guard spokesman, said there have been reports that the M/V Ming Yuan had been used to carry sand and pebbles from areas surrounding Malapascua.

“We are pursuing reports that the vessel is utilized in transporting white sand and pebbles from nearby islands,” Balilo said in a text message.

A team is now monitoring Malapascua and nearby areas “for possible illegal extraction or siphoning of white sand,” Dr. Eddie Llamedo, information officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Central Visayas, said when sought for more details.

The team comprises personnel of the DENR-Central Visayas, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Coast Guard, police, and the local government of Daanbantayan town, which has jurisdiction of Malapascua, he said.

Llamedo said the reports of quarrying came about after a Chinese vessel was seen, allegedly “siphoning” white sand, off Malapascua earlier this month.

A Chinese vessel was inspected on June 15, but authorities did not find white sand on it, he said.

Llamedo could not say if the inspected vessel was also the M/V Ming Yuan.

Meanwhile, Balilo said immigration officials have confiscated the passports of the crew members of M/V Ming Yuan, though the crew members were allowed to remain on the vessel.

While the probe is going on, the ship was also ordered to stay away from Malapascua, which is popular among tourists for its white sand beaches.

“Since the vessel was anchored on a passenger vessel route and posing as hazard to navigation, the vessel was directed to anchor in Northern Cebu while government agencies are investigating possible illegal activities of the shipping company,” Balilo said.

Llamedo said Malapascua is not listed among the country’s “protected areas,” but should be protected just the same because it is public property.

“Because of its being a small island or islet that is less than 250 hectares, it is considered as public land, meaning it is owned by the state or government,” he said. (John Roson)

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10 hurt as bus falls into Quezon ravine

Photo courtesy of Quezon provincial police.

Ten people were injured when the bus they were riding fell and landed upside down into a ravine in Tagkawayan, Quezon, early Saturday, police said.

Driver Gonzalo Joble, 65, was injured along with passengers Jinky Agra, 43, Josephine Bailey, 45, Manuel Lagramada, 56, Maria Reina Lagramada, 54, Ma. Cecilia Orain, 27, Emmlon Orain, 20, Monica Siaton, 25, all of Naga City; Arnel Doroteo, 31, of Antipolo City; and Roland Sibajon, 31, of Damulog, Bukidnon, Chief Insp. Edcille Canals, Quezon provincial police spokesman, said.

Photo courtesy of Quezon provincial police.

The 10 were brought to the Maria Eleazar Memorial District Hospital, with Joble placed under the Tagkawan Police’s custody, Canals said.

The incident occurred around 12 a.m. while the Peñafrancia Tours bus (TYV-282) was travelling along the Quirino Highway in Brgy. San Vicente.

Joble was reportedly driving the bus from the Bicol region to Manila.

Investigation indicated that while maneuvering a descending section, Joble swerved to the right to avoid a newly-constructed portion of the road but lost control of the steering wheel, Canals said.

The bus fell and landed upside down into a ravine about 12 feet deep, he said.

A concerned citizen reported the incident around 12:10 a.m. so members of the Tagkawayan Police, Municipal Health Unit, and civilian volunteers conducted a rescue operation and pulled out the bus occupants, Canals said. (John Roson)

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3 men shot dead inside trike in Pangasinan

Three men suspected of being involved in activities related to illegal drugs were found dead inside a tricycle in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Friday night, after being shot by still unidentified assailants, police said.

The fatalities have already been identified as driver Napoleon Paraan, 45, of Mangaldan; Reynaldo Martinez, 47, and Mamerto Penuliar Jr., 49, both of Sta. Barbara, Senior Insp. Ryan Manongdo, Pangasinan provincial police spokesman, said.

The three were found lying lifeless inside a tricycle along the road leading to Sitio Silungan, Brgy. Bonuan Binloc, around 9 p.m.

“Witnesses said they heard several gunshots in the area before they discovered the trio,” Manongdo said.

Responding policemen recovered a sachet of shabu inside the tricycle, he said.

Investigators are still trying to determine the assailants’ identities and motive, but are looking at a possibility that the killings are related to illegal drug activities.

Sitio Silungan gained infamy after reports indicated that it is a haven for drug traffickers, Manongdo said.

Friday’s killings came two weeks after five men also suspected of engaging in illegal activities were stabbed and shot dead inside a hut in Bugallon town. (John Roson)

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Mayor killed, vice mayor hurt in Pagudpud car crash

The mayor of Luna, Apayao, and her aide died while her vice mayor, driver, and another companion were injured after the sports utility vehicle they were riding crashed into a tree in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, early Saturday, police said.

Luna Mayor Betty Versola and companion Marlon Taclibon, of Pinili, Ilocos Norte, expired while being brought to the Bangui Hospital, Chief Supt. Ricardo Marquez, Ilocos regional police director, said.

Vice Mayor Josephine Bangsil, driver Jun Ildefonso, and companion Milet Agustin, of Luna, were also taken to the same hospital for treatment, Marquez said.

The incident occurred around 1:20 a.m., while Versola’s group was passing through Brgy. Pasaleng, Pagudpud, on a red Montero Sport (SKP-730).

Initial investigation showed that the vehicle’s driver avoided a carabao along the way, but slammed into a tree in the process, Marquez said. (John Roson)

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PDEA agent killed in shootout with Zambo cops

An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) died in a shootout with policemen in Zamboanga City early Saturday, police said.

Senior Supt. Edwin de Ocampo, Zamboanga City police director, identified the fatality as Joel Sacro, resident of Brgy. Putik, and a PDEA agent assigned in Tawi-Tawi.

The “shootout” occurred around 7:30 a.m. in an apartment along Saavedra extension, Brgy. Sta. Maria.

Elements of the city’s Police Station 7 went to the area after a resident complained that Sacro indiscriminately fired his gun, De Ocampo told Bandera in a text message.

“While approaching the apartment, the suspect fired his firearm, prompting the responding policemen to fire back, causing his untimely death,” De Ocampo said.

Members of the PNP Scene of the Crime Operatives later arrived at the scene and recovered two caliber-.45 pistols and a caliber-5.56 M16A2 rifle from the slain suspect, he said. (John Roson)

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Mayoralty bet, husband charged for Batangas fiscal slay

Police on Saturday declared the killing of Batangas assistant provincial prosecutor Alexander Sandoval “solved” as it charged a mayoralty candidate, her husband, and four other persons for crime.

Murder charges were filed against mayoralty candidate Ana Marie Mendoza of Sta. Teresita town and her husband, incumbent Brgy. Calayaan chairman Hermogenes Mendoza, on Saturday, Batangas provincial police spokesman Senior Insp. Joel Laraya said.

Also charged for murder were Jayson Espejo, Richard Briones, a certain “Toks,” and two John Does, Laraya said in a statement.

Earlier, investigators found that Mrs. Mendoza owns the white Toyota Corolla (TDD-852) which Sandoval’s motorcycle-riding assailants used as “back-up” during the killing, Laraya said.

Espejo was arrested in a police chase in Brgy. Buli, Taal, on Thursday, shortly after Sandoval was gunned down in San Luis.

“The suspect’s (Espejo) confession implicated Brgy. chairman Hermogenes Mendoza, one alias “Toks,” and two John Does,” Laraya said.

The chase in Taal also resulted in the recovery of the black Honda Wave motorcycle which Sandoval’s assailants rode.

The motorcycle, despite having only a “for registration” plate, was traced through the Land Transportation Office as being owned by Briones, Laraya said.

On Friday, police arrested Mrs. Mendoza after a police raid on her and her husband’s three homes in Brgys. Calayaan and Bihis yielded an M16 rifle, caliber-.9mm pistol, caliber-.30 Carbine rifle, caliber-.22 pistol, and two caliber-.45 pistols.

The raiding team also seized a 1994 model Mitsubishi Pajero (TSG-872) which, according to Espejo, was used during their “surveillance,” Laraya said. (John Roson)

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Missing in Masbate ship mishap climbs to 7; rescuers dive for ‘trapped passengers’

Authorities on Saturday dived into the part of the sea off Claveria, Masbate, where the M/V Our Lady of Mt. Carmel sank, as the number of persons left missing by the incident rose to seven.

Navy divers started plunging into the sea around 7 a.m. “to check if there are trapped passengers,” Ensign Ere Mon John Duruin, Naval Forces Southern Luzon assistant public affairs officer, said in a text message.

Duruin made the remark as the Office of Civil Defense-5 reported that seven persons on board the M/V Our Lady of Mt. Carmel are still missing.

The OCD-5 identified six of the seven as Abegail Barredo, 19; Noan Manocan, 25; Leticia Andaya, 78; Fe Rapsing, Jonas Comidor, and Arian Comidor.

The seventh was later identified as a certain Jocelyn Danao, Duruin said.

Three of the seven are listed on the ship’s manifest while the four others are “claimed” to be missing, the OCD-5 said in a report issued Saturday noon.

Speculation that some passengers remain trapped arose after it was discovered that some persons on the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel were not on the ship’s manifest.

On Friday, authorities reported that the ship’s manifest only lists 35 passengers, 22 crew members, two buses, and a six-wheeled cargo truck.

As of Saturday, a total of 61 persons comprised of 38 passengers and 23 crew members have been rescued, while the number of deaths remain at two, the OCD-5 said.

Three of the survivors, identified as Jewel Ballesteros, 5; Kyle Benguet, 7; and Gilbert Bungon, 25, are still being treated at the Masbate Provincial Hospital and Masbate MMG Hospital, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, the OCD-5 said members of the Coast Guard have been deployed from Aroroy to check if the M/V Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s sinking caused an oil spill. (John Roson)

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12 killed as van falls into Benguet ravine

(Update) Twelve people were killed while seven others were injured when the utility vehicle they were riding fell into a ravine in Buguias, Benguet, on Saturday afternoon, police said.

Twenty passengers were found at the crash site, but 11 died while being brought to the hospital, Supt. Davy Vicente Lim-mong, Cordillera regional police spokesman, said.

The 11 were identified as Biana Olsim, Manuel Langbis, Bino Waclin, Melania Madiano, Alfredo Pattian, Ferdilyn Igualdo, Arnaldo Madiano, Kimberly Waclin, Ema Tosay, Melanio Igualdo, and Melin Dasdas, all residents of Brgy. Poblacion, Buguias.

One passenger, Marrieta Gaspil, was brought to the Benguet General Hospital (BGH) but she expired while undergoing treatment, Lim-mong said.

Seven others, including driver Ambrocio Menzi, passengers Basilio Baldos, Oronio Agyapas, Nicole Waclin, Wela Waclin, Braille Waclin, and a still unidentified man are being treated at the BGH, he said.

Another passenger, identified as Jerry Bisaya Atas, was not hurt as he was able to jump off the vehicle when he noticed that it was going the wrong way, Lim-mong said.

The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. along the Halsema Highway in Bayoyo, Brgy. Buyacaoan.

Menzi was driving the Ford Fiera utility vehicle (AAD-874) towards Brgy. Abatan when it fell into a ravine more or less 80 meters deep, Lim-mong said.

Initial investigation showed that the driver lost control of the vehicle due to a sudden downpour and heavy fog, he said. (John Roson)

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