Gov. Angara-Castillo lauded professional gun shooters in Central Luzon

BALER, Aurora, February 13, 2011-Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo lauded the groups of professional gun club shooters here in Central Luzon for their continuous support to the practical shooters of Aurora which ended yesterday, saying that it was important to be responsible in gun ownership where the group can help protect themselves, family and be prepared for security measures in their respective community.

She urged the gun holder contestants in the recent 6^th Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo Cup here at Camp Victor Ravina shooting range to encourage others to join the competition and experience the excitement of the sports.

Relative to this, Architect Dexter Tolentino, Aurora Practical Shooters Association, Inc. (APSA) President and Camp Ravina Practical Shooters Club President Amado de Luna said that the events were participated in by their groups: Travellers of Nueva Ecija Shooters Association (TANESA) and Nueva Ecija Practical Shooters Association (NEPSA), explaining that each participant consumed 107 to 150 rounds of ammunitions in the five stages set by the organizers.

To win the game the contestants should perform the fastest time speed limit combined with accuracy and power in hitting the marks or the round plates in each stage.

TONESA president Judge Trece Wenceslao said that shooters in  central luzon started in Nueva Ecija which was founded by former Sec. Jun Ebdane who is now the Governor of Zambales. Aurora is the youngest in the region which started in 1996 during the time of PNP General Orlando Madella who was then the Provincial Director of the province.

He mentioned Mr. Neddy Mangahas, a native of Nueva Ecija who is now famous in the field of shoot fest competition and a member of the Philippine delegation joining in the international competition in the different parts of the world.

Back to Angara-Castillo, the governor said that her office is willing to extend support to the group in shooting competition and tourism in order to have Aurorans who can also compete in the national and international shoot fest competitions. (Jason de Asis)

Aurora Police and Aurora practical shooters association hosted 6th Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo cup shooting competition

BALER, Aurora, February 13, 2011-In celebration of the 32^nd Aurora foundation day, Camp Ravina Practical Shooters Club (CRPSC) and Aurora Practical Shooters Association, Inc. (APSA) in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Aurora hosted the 6^th Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo Cup level 1 competition held at Camp Ravina shooting range yesterday.

“The shootfest aimed to promote the spirit of sportsmanship, camaraderie and goodwill among gun enthusiasts both from uniformed sector and private gun club,” APSA president Dexter Tolentino said where the winners received cash prize, medal and trophy in each category yesterday night.

APSA and CRPSC awarded the following special awards: to wit; a. Government employee single stock champion Rex dela Rosa, Government employee standard champion Renato Puno, Government employee production champion Dexter Tolentino; b. Super senior production champion Col. Laverne Bumabao, Super senior standard champion Leonito de Guzman; c. IBP single stock champion Ernesto Macaraig, IBP standard champion Atty. Jovert Reyes, IBP production champion Judge Trece Wenceslao; d. LGU single stock champion Board member Renato Pascua, LGU production champion Board member Eric Salazar; e. Law man production champion John dela Cruz, Law man single stock champion Peter Galande, Law man standard champion Fredie Espana; f. TYRO  standard champion Joseph Rodriguez, TYRO single stock champion Bonifacio Canading, TYRO production champion Jericho Domingo; g. Lady production champion Jonah Esteban, Lady standard champion Juvielyn Andress, h. RO single stock champion Michael Ape, RO production champion Raymundo Martinez Jr.,  RO standard champion Eric Simon; i. Open champion Nedy Garcia Mangahas, single stock 2^nd runner up champion Kayle Tolentino, single stock 1^st runner up champion Jopet Rosete, Champion for single stock division Randy Somera; 4^th runner up production Judge Trece Wenceslao, 3^rd runner up production Dexter Tolentino, 2^nd runner up production Captain Jose Gundaya, 1^st runner up Jun dela Cruz, production champion overall Sheryl Sanatiago; 4^th runner up standard Reggie Espana, 3^rd runner up Eric Simon, 2^nd runner up Joseph Rosete, 1^st runner up Jack Gregorio and overall champion standard Randy Somera and the final for man versus man champion Randy Somera.

The registration started at 8 AM yesterday February 12, 2011 with the opening ceremony. Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo gave her inspirational message by emphasizing the importance and significance of the shooting competition. The shootfest was participated in by the team of Nueva Ecija Shooters Association (TANESA) and Nueva Ecija Practical Shooters Association (NEPSA), CRPSC, APSA and others.

The competition started after the ceremonial shot of Gov. Angara-Castillo and Provincial Administrator Alex Ocampo. In the Aggregate Category, various gun clubs from central luzon participated using pistols. The awarding ceremony was held yesterday night.

CRPSC president Amado de luna and Tolentino thanked all the sponsors and the participants of the shooting competition while Ocampo and Judge Wenceslao awarded the trophies to the winners.

Prior to this, an Inter-agency shoot fest was also held at Camp Ravina shooting range where the organizers declared the PNP DILG champions in the persons of PSI Jun dela Cruz, PO3 Regie Espana and PO2 Raymundo Martinez. Alfred Lapig emerged as the champion in the Standard Division while Aurora National Irrigation chief Virgilio Ilao was the Champion on production division and man versus man categories. (Jason de Asis) 

Aurora surfing challenge, one of the famous tourist attractions

BALER, Aurora, February 12, 2011-The 5^th Aurora Surfing Challenge in this town serves as the famous attraction sports for tourists in the province where at least 103 professional surfers came from the provinces of Aurora, La Union, Siargao, Daet, Zambales, Manila, Cebu, Lanuza and   Brazilian surfers (from Brazil) last Thursday joined the surfing challenge led by Aurora Surf Riders Association Inc. (ASRAI) President Ronald Rojo and ASRAI chairman of the Board Noel Tolentino.

“Surfing in the province is one of the famous growing interactive attraction sports especially every month of February as the province is celebrating now its 32^nd Foundation Anniversary,” the duo said, adding that the province of Aurora plays host to the Aurora Surfing Cup.

Every year the competition has established a steady following of local and international surfing enthusiasts with the combined efforts of Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Congressman Juan Edgardo Angara, Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Aurora Provincial Tourism Officer chief Michael Palispis and Baler Mayor Arthur J. Angara who are natives of this town.

The surfers in the country and other parts of the world visited this small town in the pacific region to join the said events at Sitio Labasin beach as the center of the sports and other parts in Aurora which boast of internationally recognized surf sites like Cemento Beach (reef break), Charlie’s point (river mouth break), sabang beach (beach break) and other surfing destinations in the province where the best waves in these areas come around October to March.

“The ASRAI and participants go early in the morning to feel the surfing vibes that is why there is no exact time for the contest looking for the mood of the waves, however, surfer contestants meet each other before sunrise,” they said.

There are five (5) judges who score for each contestant giving the surfers the time to show their best performance riding the surf board to the shores within twenty (20) minutes, exhibiting their movements maneuver, round house, cut back, snap back, up the lift, floater, tube (inside the wave), areal, 360’s or rounding, finishing kick-out and others in connection with the sports while the sports tabulator will record the score of the judge.

Mr. Adel Valenzuela, ASRAI tabulator said that the judging criteria must be performed in a radical controlled maneuvers in the most critical sections of the wave with power, speed and flow to maximize potential, adding that innovative and progressive surfing as well as a variety repertoire (maneuvers) will be taken into consideration when rewarding points for waves ridden while the surfers who execute the criteria with maximum degree of difficulty and commitment on the better waves shall be rewarded with the higher scores.

Meanwhile, Aurora Provincial Tourism Chief Michael Palispis explained that the other surfing areas in the province like Charlie’s Point is very ideal for surfing, with medium quality right-hand-and-left-break waves on a sand-and-gravel bottom where the waves are best in December and January. The surf scenes from the movie “Apocalypse Now” was filmed here.

Palispis added that the Cobra Reef in Sitio Cemento, Brgy. Zabali is the area which produces excellent right hand-break over shallow reefs. It is the spot most frequented by professional and advanced surfers, particularly Europeans, and Asian surfers. This is where the finals of the ASC is held regularly.

“Dicasalarin Beach is a place of multiple attractions, this natural cove boasts of a kilometer-long white sand beach. On the left side is a steep imposing hill while on the right side is a peninsula and a cave. The area produces medium size waves during monsoon swell,” Palispis said.

“The Sabang Beach where the surfing events take place is on this long stretch of gray sand beach is the surfers haven known as Sabang beach break,” he said, adding that from March to June, the waves are relatively small and is ideal for beginning surfers, but from October to March, the monsoon wind brings in large waves that will challenge even seasoned surfers.

Palispis furthered that the most popular surfing point is found right in front of the Baywatch tower. It is where beginners and local surfers practice and enhance their skills. Other interesting spots are Lindy’s point, found further north along Sabang beach and secret spot at the mouth of Castillo River.

He also mentioned that San Ildefonso Peninsula in Casiguran where the Aurora ecozone is located is considered as the most powerful left hand-break in the province where the best waves come from March to June (Summer) when most of the other surfing destinations in the country are relatively flat.

Earlier, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Alberto Lim declared Aurora as the priority province in the country to be promoted overseas because of the beautiful beaches and surfing while the prestigious GMA7 twitter account survey result showed that the province is number  six (6) in the most visited places in the Philippines.

DOT recorded that in 2009, there were 54,886 tourists who visited the province and last year, there were 68,395 tourists like Americans, balikbayans, Australian surfers, Japanese, Koreans, Chinese, Brazilians, Great Britain, Canadians and other parts of the world who witnessed the beauty of the province. (Jason de Asis)

Phl effective prevention of natural hazard and unnatural hazard is needed

SENATE OFFICE Manila, February 11, 2011-In a recent report on the economics of disaster prevention jointly produced by the World Bank (WB) and the United Nations (UN) publication entitled: “Natural Hazard, Unnatural Disasters: The Economics of Prevention”, Senator Loren Legarda said that the country should have an effective disaster preparedness to pursue sustainable development for our economy.

Legarda cited the lessons of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng which taught the citizenry in enhancing the capacities to re-build after each and every disaster, saying that for without effective disaster prevention, hundreds of lives, thousands of homes, billions worth of properties and livelihoods, even government's growth and revenue targets, can be at the mercy of a single extreme weather event.

The country has to face time and again the impacts of natural hazards which have been a major constraint and an important development issue especially the climate change hazards that can be more frequent and intense, adding that the occurrence of it must be turn to be not disasters.

Early prevention will preserve risk reduction as the key of success in fighting disasters where the Senator said that the country is second in the world to receive the recent special briefing by WB and UN.

Legarda lauded the report of Mr. Apurva Sanghi, leader of the technical working group who made the presentation, the World Bank-Philippines’ Country Director Mr. Bert Hofman, and World Bank- Sector Coordinator Ms Yan Zhang, who also shared their insights, adding that the event was joined by the Secretary of the Department of Finance Cesar Purisima, Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority Cayetano Paderanga, Jr. and Presidential Assistant for Climate Change Elizea Gozun and other legislators, who are chairpersons of major committees in Congress, key government officials, members of international organizations and the diplomatic corps, heads of non-government organizations and various institutions and members of the academe.

“Disasters maim and kill. They devastate the environment and set back economic development,” Legarda said, stressing that reducing disaster risk is a critical development issue that affects everybody and concerns every sector of the society.

Legarda urged the political leaders of the country to realize that reducing disaster risk is a moral responsibility to the people and a commitment to good governance that transcends political boundaries.

She calls to PNoy that now is the time to make a difference and must act now, pointing out that leaders of the country should not allow another Ondoy and Pepeng to happen again in Metro Manila.

The Senator recommended that there is a need to improve the country’s early warning system and strengthen Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAG-ASA) as deemed the most cost effective in reducing the impacts of disasters, adding that there is a need to invest in flood protection and earthquake mitigation in Metro Manila and other low land areas heeding the lessons of Ondoy and Pepeng.

There is a need to convene the Climate Change Commission and make disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation high in the development agenda, saying that there is a need to engage local government leaders in the fight against disaster and climate risks.  They are in the frontline and most in need of capability building, act decisively and secure the children’s future to make economic good sense. (Jason de Asis)

Grievance committee formed to probe Gapan scams amid boy's forged certificate of live birth

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, February 11, 2011-Mayor Christian Tinio has formed a grievance committee to investigate and conduct summary hearings against appointive officials and employees following the involvement of an employee of the city’s civil registrar office here in the falsification of the certificate of live birth of an eight-year-old boy and for the mysterious disappearance of the marriage contract of his parents.

In Executive Order 2011-02, Tinio designated his executive assistant Danilo Padiernos as chairman of the five-men grievance committee. The other members of the committee are human resource management officer Cesar Mendoza, city administrator Eduardo Almera, city engineer Carl Anthony Alfaro and assistant city treasurer Mauro Marcelo.

Tinio said he formed the committee after his office received numerous complaints against appointive local city officials and employees. He stressed that its formation was in line with Section 86 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code which provides that administrative investigation may be conducted by a person or a committee duly authorized by the local chief executive.

The committee’s creation came after the Sangguniang Panlunsod, presided over by Vice Mayor Rodel Matias, opened its probe on Jocelyn Dimacale, clerk of the office of the city civil registrar following a complaint-affidavit lodged before the council by Desiree Bonifacio of Barangay San Nicolas here.

Tinio said whoever was responsible for the anomaly will be held responsible once proven guilty.  

Bonifacio is the mother of Davis Mandy Afable.        Afable was born last May 28, 2002 to Bonifacio and Manuel Afable, an American citizen. Exactly a month later, the elder Afable and Bonifacio got married.

Bonifacio said in the process, Davis Mandy was “legitimated through subsequent marriage,” as borne by the couple’s application for marriage license and the certificate of live birth.   The couple’s relationship, however, went sour and they later separated.

Sometime last year, Bonifacio went to the National Statistics Office to request a copy of their authenticated marriage contract and Davis Mandy’s certificate of live birth. To her surprise, the copy of the marriage contract could not be found and the certificate of her son’s live birth was forged through false entries.

A copy of the certificate of live birth of Davis Mandy showed that the boy’s middle name and surname Afable were erased. The same document, however, clearly indicated that Davis Mandy was “legitimated” through the subsequent marriage of his parents on June 28, 2002. Because of the forged certificate of live birth, Bonifacio said it would appear that Davis Mandy was an illegitimate child and was deprived of benefits.

In her complaint-affidavit, she also attached a copy of certificate of live birth signed by city civil registrar Danilo Tan and Dimacale dated July 5, 2002 showing that she and Afable got married. But in another certificate of live birth dated January 21, 2011 also signed by Tan and clerk 2 Arthur Merle, there were no entries opposite the lines “date and place of marriage of parents.”

Bonifacio said when she confronted Dimacale about the falsified certificate of live birth and the missing marriage contract, the latter admitted she pulled out the authentic documents on the request of the elder Afable. (Jason de Asis)

NOLCOM AFP lighted candles for peace inside Camp Aquino

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City, February 11, 2011-To signify the institution’s will to remain as the “knight in shining armor” of the citizenry, the men and women of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) jointly lighted candles, Tuesday Amidst controversies hounding the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in respond to the calls of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David, Jr. to all military personnel to remain strong and united.

The candle lighting took place in a covered court here and was voluntarily participated in by dependents of uniformed men and residents living nearby who believe in the peace and advocacy of the AFP.

“The candle lighting was done simultaneously with similar activity spearheaded by the general headquarters at Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, participated in by the AFP major services, some non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations, government agencies and was replicated in other military camps nationwide,” NOLCOM Spokesman Major Rosendo Armas said.

NOLCOM Chief Lieutenant General Gaudencio S. Pangilinan said that the symbolic lighting of candles was very timely considering the issues currently besetting the AFP, referring to allegations of corrupt practices in the organization particularly the so-called “pasalubong” and “pabaon” given to top-brass AFP officials, saying that sometimes it pays to know and experience a disease to be able to make the right dose of medicine for that particular ailment, nevertheless, he believes that after all these trying times for the organization, the AFP will emerge much stronger than before.

To prevent abuses, Pangilinan emphasized that so many reforms in the system have been  already instituted, pointing out that no conversion is happening right now in all AFP units including NOLCOM and instead, they resort to cash advance to be able to give timely support especially for the troops in the field. Check and balance are also in place.

Pangilinan urged to give peace a chance by actively supporting the Internal Peace and Security Plan of the AFP, adding that the Bayanihan is not new to the local populace because Filipinos are well-known for the spirit of cooperation.

“There is a need that the people should be one hundred percent behind us, every step of the way the AFP can accomplish many things to scrap rebels and that is the reason why soldiers are calling on the support of all stakeholders so that if everybody is united, there is a lasting peace in the community. Peace can be won,” he ended.

Earlier, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David, Jr. ordered all military officials and soldiers to remain loyal to and yielding of their sworn duties to the country and its people, saying that the ongoing investigation on corruption against some former top-brass officials of the AFP is “part of the past” that “serves as basis for fixing the system and creating tight reforms.”

“What is important is to maintain the trust, respect and support of the public to Filipino soldiers,” David asserted.

While David expressed dismay over things that has been exposed in the senate trials on the alleged corrupt practices in the AFP, the highest ranking military official still believes that the AFP can still walk with pride as it faced the controversy with valour considering that what has transpired would give way to further solidifying the strength of the military force.

David ensured authorities of the AFP’s, as well as of the Department of National Defense’s full cooperation in the ongoing investigation relative to the alleged corrupt practices in the military. (Jason de Asis)

Manila tagged as 8th most polluted Asian city

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, February 10, 2011-Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Congressional Commission on Science Technology, and Engineering (COMSTE) said that there is a need to find solution to the increasing levels of pollution, especially in the transport sector as the World Health Organization (WHO) identified Manila as the most polluted city in the Philippines while World Bank and Asian Development Bank study of air pollution for 20 major Asian cities between 2000 and 2003, Manila is on the 8^th spot that lead Filipinos to be affected by diseases like anemia, decrease fertility in females and kidney problems.

Angara said that study of COMSTE links the effects of air pollution and health in the Philippines which indicates that the air quality has progressively deteriorated in the last two decades, saying that one such solution is the development of electric and hybrid vehicles, the development of which is one of the priorities of COMSTE.

Earlier, he bares the report that the adults who are exposed to a hazardous amount of lead can experience disorders like anemia, nervous system dysfunction, hypertension, kidney problems, decreased fertility and increased level of miscarriages (in females) while children exposed to low amounts of lead may show symptoms of neurologic damage, including slow development, reduced Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores, learning disabilities, hearing loss, reduced height and hyperactivity (ADHD), adding that in very high and severe levels, comas, convulsions and even death.

Epidemiological study observed that COPD signs and symptoms are more prevalent among jeepney drivers (32.5%) than drivers of air-conditioned buses (16.4%) and public passengers (14.8%).

The College of Public Health in UP-Manila with the support from WHO, Subida and Torres (1991) also reported that compared to other areas in the Philippines, there is an increased risk of abnormal pulmonary function by almost 50% and the risk of COPD by more than double in Manila jeepney drivers.

To address the growing need for more eco-friendly, and sustainable transport, the electric vehicle initiative is being pushed by Angara, concluding that the program can lessen the dependence on imported fuel sources and lead the way to creating energy independence while also lessening the carbon footprint of the transport sector.

“In the use of electric vehicle, air pollution will be lesser and will protect the health of the citizenry aside from being environment friendly,” the Senator ended. (Jason de Asis)

n-bot^ 5 . 0 Α 0� o-add-space:auto;text-align:justify;line-height:normal'>Anoyo was nabbed by the Munoz police at around 11 am yesterday by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by San Pablo City Regional Trial Court Branch 32 Judge Zorayda Salcedo.

Cabal said Anoyo was unarmed and did not resist arrest. He was detained at the police stockade here.

The suspect was long wanted for the killing of his sister-in-law Denia Anoyo on December 28, 1998 in San Pablo City. The Laguna Provincial Police Office has tagged him as no. 1 on its most wanted list with a reward of P75,000.   

Cabal said after the killing, Anoyo went into hiding in Guimba where he posed as a certain Rey Deveza to unsuspecting residents. “Because he has been using an alias, he was able to elude arrest in Guimba,” Cabral said, adding an intelligence build-up made possible his arrest.  

He said they are checking with other law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation if Anoyo has other pending cases. (Jason de Asis)

International container port eyed in northern Aurora

CASIGURAN, Aurora, February 9, 2011-The Philippine government and the South Korean government eyed an international container port inside the Freeport zone of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (APECO) here to accommodate the export products of five (5) provinces in the boundaries of Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

APECO deputy administrator Ramon Fernando told newsmen here that the Korean Export-Import Bank has already commissioned a consortium composed of the Dasan Engineering and DY Engineering companies to do the feasibility study for three (3) months for the international container port through the extension of a $300,000 or roughly P15-million grant.

Last month, Fernando said that a high-level team from the consortium led by project coordinator Shan Sheonghan Kim conducted an ocular inspection of the site of the container port project in Pagas Point in Barangay Dibacong along the Casiguran Bay.

Kim was accompanied in the trip by Korean engineering coordinators Se Wook Yeo, Ji Hoon Lee and Hyuk-Yoon Kwon where the delegation was very much impressed with the potentials of an international container port in Casiguran.

“Bidding of the project was already conducted last December in South Korea,” said Fernando, adding that with the presence of an international container port, products for export will no longer have to pass through the container port in Manila and the container port project will accommodate produce in the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. (Jason de Asis)

Environmentalists lauded PNoy’s EO to fight illegal logging

BALER, Aurora, February 9, 2011-The environmentalist group Noble Blue Falcons International lauded President Benigno S. Aquino’s order declaring an indefinite log ban all over the country, saying that amidst a series of landslides and flooding in many areas of the country due to the La Niña phenomenon the issued Executive Order 23 last week implementing the indefinite log ban and creating an Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force where the group claim incessant logging further aggravated the situation.

The Blue Falcons, represented by National Chairman Prof. Joseph Beatriz Usita, declared their support to the issuance of the executive order calling it PNoy’s fulfilled promise and a “triumph of environmentalists who sacrificed so much to save our remaining forest cover”.

In his statement, it stated that as defenders of Aurora's Forests, the Noble Blue Falcons International, Environmentalists, Peace Crusaders supports E.O.No.23 of President P-Noy declaring a logging Moratorium nationwide.

The group also called for a stop in the “conspiracy of power and greed” and personal enrichment at the expense of the environment.

“Let us end the corruption among inept government personnel,” Usita furthered.

The Blue Falcons started in 1996 and has around 8,000 “green armies” in its personnel that continue to press for reforms and fight for a stop in illegal logging especially in Aurora province.

“Nagsimula tayong makibaka noong 1996, wala kahit anuman maliban sa bitbit na malinis na simulaing ipagtanggol ang kalikasan,” the Blue Falcons exclaimed-we started the fight in 1996, carrying nothing but a pure resolve of fighting for the environment. (Jason de Asis)

Green skills program needs government and private sector support

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, February 8, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda urged the government and the private sector to increase their support to green skills programs that would not only create more livelihood opportunities for many Filipinos but also to promote environment protection, stressing that to provide livelihood opportunities to poor communities using recycled materials while promoting a cleaner environment, her office has already been conducting green skills training in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Legarda said that the effort is multi-beneficial where they are creating jobs for the citizenry, making good use of recyclable waste materials, helping solve the garbage problems, and protecting the country’s environment, pointing out that there is a need to give more support to the said program particularly in the poor communities.

Last February 3, 2011, Legarda gave certificates of appreciation for the contribution to their communities of the 16 trainers from Camanava, Manila, Pasig, Marikina, and Quezon City who graduated from the Trainers Methodology/Assessors Methodology Program conducted by TESDA during the Lingkod Loren Advocacy Fair, in celebration of the Senator’s birthday.

Dr. Nenuca Tangonan, Regional Director of TESDA-NCR, worked closely with the Bessie B. Legarda Livelihood Program of Senator Legarda to train them in teaching various skills such as: newspaper bag weaving, making slippers and bags from water lilies, and accessories such as bracelets and rosaries from old magazine strips, and knitting plastic sando bags. 

The Senator encouraged the local government units and the private sector to support this green skills program with the help of national government agencies such as TESDA and the Department of Trade and Industry to work closely together in promoting and marketing of the end products in bringing additional income to the poor communities, while using only minimal resources. (Jason de Asis)

Former AFP chief Angelo Reyes suicide nixes reactions

SENATE OFFICE, MANILA, February 8, 2011-The controversial former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief and Defense Secretary Angelo Tomas Reyes, 65 years old committed suicide by shooting himself early this morning in front of the grave of his mother at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City, Tuesday.

Reyes was immediately rushed to the Quirino Hospital at about 7:45 a.m. to revive him but the victims has no vital signs and already dead according to Colonel Boogie de leon who was a former administrative officer of Reyes while the members of the latter’s family remain silent for comment about the incident.

Earlier, Reyes said that he could not take anymore the smear campaign against his name and his family on the congressional investigations on the alleged AFP financial irregularities, saying-don’t do it to my family.

Reyes allegedly received Php50 million in “send-off” money when he retired as part of the military tradition going back decades, a former budget officer told a Senate panel last Thursday.

Initial investigation disclosed that Reyes asked his sons, his aide and bodyguard to leave him for a while and after a few seconds a gun shot was then heard with Reyes falling to the ground with blood over him.

Relative to this, Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona confirmed Reyes has died from gunshot wound to the heart and was proclaimed dead on arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, adding that the doctors tried to resuscitate Reyes who was brought to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. from Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City where he visited the grave of his mother.

The doctors reported that Reyes has already no pulse and no breath. The doctors on duty resuscitated Reyes, however after 45 minutes at 8:32 a.m. he was dead.

As of this report, Police Senior Supt. Francisco Soria Manalo of the Eastern Police District said that Reyes allegedly used a caliber .45 hand gun that caused him to sustain a gunshot wound to the heart and an external wound to the back.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered one empty shell of cal. 45. and one book on Donald Trump titled “Trump: The Art of the Deal” while the authorities are still conducting meticulous investigation and waiting for the autopsy report to be provided by the PNP-Crime Laboratory regarding Reyes before they can make statement about the case. He assured that the PNP will provide the full details regarding Reyes death.

Senator Gringo Honasan who is a Mistah of Reyes in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), appealed to the media to make sure the veracity of their report and not by trial by publicity. Honasan also extend his deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Reyes.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan was deeply saddened by the turn of events to the late Secretary Reyes saying that it is tragic that what started out as an investigation in aid of legislation has led to his apparent suicide.

Kiko lamented that death is not a graceful exit to such a distinguished officer as Reyes, a more honorable way would have been to come out with the truth and win back the admiration of his fellow soldiers. This is now the challenge other generals are facing.

He gave also his condolences to the bereaved family where he stressed that in the light of this very sad incident, he urged his colleagues to expedite the investigation on the irregularities within the AFP. To bring the system of corruption to light is to give justice and meaning to Reyes’ death.

“Reyes is a victim of a corrupt system,” he said, adding that if his death should have any meaning, it should lead to real reforms in the armed forces in particular, the entire government bureaucracy in general and we should not let this incident deter our efforts in curbing pervasive corruption.

Kiko lamented that this brings a degree of urgency to PNoy’s advocacy against corruption. For how many sad stories must our countrymen be subjected to before we see true justice being served? Justice cannot be served this way; not through trial by publicity, but by a strong justice system.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. requested the Senate Blue Ribbon Chairman Teofisto Guingona III to temporary stop the investigation regarding the “payola and pabaon system” issue at the AFP in respect to Reyes and re-scheduled it after Reyes burial. During the formal consensus in the Senate, Majority floor leader Senator Vicente Tito Sotto, Senator Chiz Escudero and Gringo Honasan supported the request of Revilla to defer the hearing in the senate blue ribbon committee for temporary suspension.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said that he did not feel responsible for Reyes untimely demise and was not sorry about his feud with Reyes, adding that he did not also agree to Sen. Honasan’s statement that Reyes was subjected to at trial by publicity that could have been one of the reasons why the former committed suicide.

The senator reacted when asked by newsmen about the phone call of Arroyo to Reyes at the height of the Senate investigation into the alleged military corruption, saying that maybe that’s an angle that we could pursue after we have mourned the passing of General Reyes.

Reyes was a graduate of the PMA Class ’66 and became as the AFP chief during the time of former President Joseph Estrada, and secretary of defense, interior and local government, and energy during the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2001 to 2003.

Patriciao Adaza, spokeswoman of Reyes calls the public to respect the family of Reyes and give their family time to air their side and be fair in giving information about Reyes.

The remains of Reyes is scheduled to be brought to Camp Aguinaldo to give him full military honor according to AFP spokesman Gen. Jose Mabanta, saying that the whole AFP is shocked and saddened by the passing of Gen. Reyes and condoled with the immediate family as to this incident. This is a deep blow to the ongoing investigation and all the members of the AFP and the citizenry quest for the truth.

“In the light of this incident, we hope Congress and Senate can expedite this proceeding to ensure immediate enactment of laws in furtherance of good governance measure for the whole Armed Forces,” Mabanta said.

Meanwhile, the human rights group KARAPATAN-Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights commiserates and condoles with the family and expressed regrets, saying that one uncovered corruption within the AFP has been smeared by blood.

KARAPATAN spokesperson Jigs Clamor said that Reyes death should bear on the conscience of the AFP particularly its officers corps, adding that the AFP leadership should rethink its role in society if his death would have relevance.

He added that he regret one unsolved mystery in the corrupt practices within the AFP, the on-going investigations into the AFP slush funds should be pursued in the interest of truth, justice, government accountability, and genuine civilian supremacy over the military.

  

“With the serious charges hurled against him, he took his life upon his own hand rather than be devoured by shame for life.  We leave it to the AFP to ponder whether it was honorable or not.  But we hope the AFP honor their own by truly serving the people,” Clamor furthered. (Jason de Asis)