Aurelco service center looted by unidentified thieves

BALER, Aurora, August 25, 2011-Police authorities are now investigating the thieves who   got P193,798 cash money, memory black box of CCTV, Biometric with serial number EO6100707 and one handheld icom radio IC-V100 at Aurora Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AURELCO) service center, Gloria Street, Barangay Suklayin here yesterday night.

Police Superintendent Benjamin C. Villasis Jr., Baler Police Chief said that the unidentified culprits got two (2) safety vaults from the teller’s office and brought to the stock room of AURELCO, broke them and took the money.

Villasis said that the cashiers drawers and cabinets were disarranged. The suspects also immediately deformed, distorted and bended the CCTV camera, slashed its cables and wires installed in the ceiling of the establishment.  

Investigation report stated that the stealing incident was security lapses of the duty lineman who was not oriented as guard in post but a mere standing personnel at their office.

Police found out that the CCTV camera of the office was not properly secured as the robbers even have the opportunity to include the same in their notorious activities.

PNP crime lab latent prints and finger prints impression at the place of the crime.

Earlier, at around 7:45 in the morning Amado Valenzuela reported the incident to the police.

Valenzuela said that Amelita Artilano Y’ Gomez, 45 years old, Aurelco employee and son Zceasar noticed that the office was robbed out/ ransacked by unidentified perpetrators when opened.

The mother and son Artilano found out that the window grill at the backdoor was cut to open the door using a vault cutter as entry point of thieves. (Jason de Asis)

Senator Angara must apologize for red-baiting ― anti-Apeco groups

MANILA, August 25, 2011―The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) demanded an apology from Senator Edgardo Angara after he said that those organizations vehemently opposing the creation of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Free Ports Authority are fronts of the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The alleged red-baiting against opposers of the Apeco happened during the senator's speech in commemoration of the 402nd founding anniversary of the Baler town, the Aurora's provincial capital.

Pamalakaya national chairperson Fernando Hicap said that Angara is morally, politically and legally obliged to issue a public apology as his Red bashing "escapade" might result to something else.

“Mr. Angara should be largely blamed if the military and other state security forces [should] engage in another brutal campaign against anti-Apeco groups and individuals," Pamalakaya said.

During former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's term, there was a large number of activists who have been slain or abducted and disappeared due to red-tagging.

"Instead of resorting to dirty propaganda and red branding, Senator Angara, his son Rep. Sonny Angara and sister ― Aurora Gov. Bella Angara-Castillo should face all issues surrounding Apeco fair and square," the Pamalakaya chair said.

Last August 22, members of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Pamalakaya, Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luzon (AMGL), Panlalawigang Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Aurora (Pamana), Anakpawis party list, Government Employees for Genuine Land Reform, Katribu Party list, Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP) and Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) picketed before Congress to appeal the junking of the P332.5 million (US$7,840,960.55 or Euros 5,445,680.78) proposed Apeco funds, as the release of the said funding would give the green light for the alleged creation of the "Angara empire" in the entire Aurora province.

“The P332.5 million worth of taxpayers’ money will be used against the people of Casiguran through massive landgrabbing and water-use conversions. Worse, the people’s money will be used to further strengthen the political dynasty and economic power of the Angaras in Aurora through this PPP project carried out by the office of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III,” said movement convenor and Pamana vice chairperson Elmer Dayson.

Dayson also said that Speaker [Feliciano] Belmonte and [Cavite] Rep. (Joseph Emilio) Abaya should bear in mind about the massive displacement Apeco would bring to 5,430 people in five barangays of Casiguran, Aurora if the Angaras succeed in getting the fund for Apeco project next year.

The groups rallying against Apeco also said that the project would also be detrimental to the environment, particularly to the waters of Aurora. (Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews)

9th journalist killed under Aquino watch

MANILA, August 24, 2011―The media rights' watchdog, Burgos Media Center (BMC) assailed the killing of Hiligaynon broadcaster Niel Jimena, of dyRP (Iloilo) and dyAG (Negros Occidental), the ninth casualty among mediamen under the administration of President Benigno C. Aquino III.

According to news reports, Jimena was chased by unidentified motorcycle-riding assassins, and felled at Barangay Damgo, EB Magalona, in Bacolod City, last Monday, August 22.

Mark Joseph Alejo, BMC spokesperson, in a statement said Aquino should be alarmed on the spate of killings and must act swiftly to be able the resolve the cases.

"President Aquino must do something in the soonest possible time to serve justice to the victims of media killing within his term and even those that were still unsettled, including the Maguindanao Massacre. We want to see sincerity from P-Noy [on serving justice to the murdered journalists] and not just mere lip service," Alejo said.

Other journalists who have been killed under the Aquino administration are Jose Daguio, Miguel Belen, Edilberto Cruz, Edison Flameniana Sr., Dr. Gerry Ortega, Cirilio Gallardo, Marlina Sumera and Romeo Olea.

"We want to see culprits and masterminds of these killings be put behind bars and for heads to roll in order for the Aquino government to end the culture of impunity in the country," he said. (Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews)