By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY—Albay officials have begun moving thousands of villagers out of harm’s way near Mayon Volcano after it oozed lava and shot plumes of ash late Monday.
Officials said the villagers would probably spend a bleak Christmas in an evacuation center.
Government volcanologists raised the alert level on the cone-shaped, 2,460-meter volcano overnight to two steps below eruption after ash explosions and dark orange lava fragments glowing in the dark trickled down the mountain slope.
Nearly 50,000 people live in the “hazard areas” within an eight-kilometer radius around Mayon, and authorities were ordering them to leave in case the volcano erupts, Gov. Joey Salceda said.
In Barangay Matanag, the first batch of evacuees, made up mostly of women, children and the elderly, boarded a police truck at 3 p.m. Tuesday. They clutched luggage, plastic bottles of water, mats, pillows, blankets, firewood and kitchenware
“We cannot disobey this order. We are one with the provincial government’s zero-casualty goal,” said Bienvenido Belga Sr., the barangay captain.
20,000 evacuated
‘As of 6 Tuesday night, 4,552 families or over 20,000 people had been evacuated, officials said.
Salceda said he decided to cancel a trip to Copenhagen, where he was to attend a UN climate conference to discuss his province’s experience with typhoons and other natural disasters.
He said he would appeal for foreign aid to deal with the expected influx of displaced villagers into emergency shelters.
The first of 20 vehicles, including Army trucks, were sent to villages to take residents to schools and other temporary housing, according to Juke Nuñez, a provincial emergency management official.
“It’s 10 days before Christmas. Most likely people will be in evacuation centers, and if Mayon’s activity won’t ease down we will not allow them to return to their homes,” Nuñez said. “It’s difficult and sad, especially for children.”
Worsening state
Magma had been rising in the volcano over the past two weeks and began to ooze out of its crater on Monday night, but it could get worse in coming days, said Renato Solidum, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
“Now lava is trickling down, but if the ascent of magma is sustained there will be lava flows,” Solidum said. “There is also the possibility of an explosion.”
Belga said 362 families in Matanag had to be evacuated to the Albay Central School in the city.
The villagers hardly slept since Monday night. “Everyone is anxious about the volcano,” Belga told the Inquirer.
Most people are afraid of Mayon, which brought tragedies in the past, Belga said. In 1993, the volcano erupted and killed more than 70 people.
Belga said barangay officials had been making the rounds overnight to warn people through a megaphone to stay alert because the volcano could erupt anytime.
The order to evacuate came the next day, Belga said.
Early preparations
Melyn Lascano, 43, said her family had packed their belongings as early as August when the volcano was showing signs of unrest.
“It’s better to always be prepared because Mayon these days is so uncertain,” she said.
Aside from clothes, the Lascanos brought with them food and cooking utensils.
“We were told that relief goods will not yet be distributed tonight (Tuesday) so we made sure we would have something to eat until tomorrow morning,” Lascano said in Bicol.
Adelina Atun, 60, knew as early as Sunday that she and her two children were likely to be evacuated.
Mayon’s rumblings have become louder, Atun said. “Sometimes, the volcano would sound like an airplane,” she said, adding that the intense crater glow would make her feel nervous.
Atun’s husband, however, like most of the menfolk in the village, was left to guard the family’s property and farm animals.
When the first batch of evacuees from Matanag arrived at Albay Central School, the classrooms had already been emptied.
10 families in 1 classroom
The school will also accommodate 362 families from the village and 84 more from Barangay Padang, said Evelyn Bachiller, assistant camp chief.
Ten families, regardless of size, will share one classroom and comfort room.
Bachiller said there were not enough water sources in the school grounds. “We only have one water pump available because the rest had been stolen. But we expect the city government to set up water stations soon,” she said.
Some classes were suspended indefinitely near the danger zone. Officials will find a way to squeeze in classes in school buildings to be used as shelters, Salceda said.
About 30,000 people were moved when Mayon last erupted in 2006. Typhoon-triggered mudslides near the mountain later that year buried entire villages, killing more than 1,000 people.
Most violent eruption
Mayon’s most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1,200 people and buried a town in mud. A 1993 eruption killed 79 people.
The Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common. Twenty-two out of 37 volcanoes in the archipelago are active. With reports from Alcuin Papa in Manila and Associated Press
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
AFTER HALF A CENTURY
DoH: Sorsogon ‘malaria and filariasis-free’
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:38:00 07/23/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- After more than half a century, the Department of Health (DoH) declared Sorsogon province "malaria and filariasis free" on Thursday, Bicol health officials said.
It was a milestone to finally declare the province free of the two infectious diseases, Doctor Nestor Santiago Jr., Bicol regional health director, said.
The province has had cases of malaria and filariasis as early as the 1950s and was only finally declared free of them this year, Dr. Alan Lucañas, infectious disease coordinator of the DoH in Bicol, said.
Representatives from the DoH central office in Manila went to Sorsogon for the declaration.
According to the DoH website, malaria is a disease caused by protozoan parasites called Plasmodium. It is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
Its symptoms are chills, fever, too much sweating when the fever subsides, and headache.
Filariasis, which is commonly known as “elephantiasis” because the victim’s legs and arms would swell to a size like those of an elephant’s, is a disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes.
Its symptoms are pain and swelling of the breast, vagina, scrotum, legs, and arms; fever, cough, chills, and wheezing.
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:38:00 07/23/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- After more than half a century, the Department of Health (DoH) declared Sorsogon province "malaria and filariasis free" on Thursday, Bicol health officials said.
It was a milestone to finally declare the province free of the two infectious diseases, Doctor Nestor Santiago Jr., Bicol regional health director, said.
The province has had cases of malaria and filariasis as early as the 1950s and was only finally declared free of them this year, Dr. Alan Lucañas, infectious disease coordinator of the DoH in Bicol, said.
Representatives from the DoH central office in Manila went to Sorsogon for the declaration.
According to the DoH website, malaria is a disease caused by protozoan parasites called Plasmodium. It is usually transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.
Its symptoms are chills, fever, too much sweating when the fever subsides, and headache.
Filariasis, which is commonly known as “elephantiasis” because the victim’s legs and arms would swell to a size like those of an elephant’s, is a disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes.
Its symptoms are pain and swelling of the breast, vagina, scrotum, legs, and arms; fever, cough, chills, and wheezing.
6 Albay students test positive for H1N1
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:37:00 07/23/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—A Benedictine school in Albay suspended classes Thursday after six of its grade school students tested positive for the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, Bicol health officials reported.
Dr. Alan Lucañas of the Department of Health in Bicol, said Thursday the six students of St. Agnes' Academy in this city were now well but were still under home quarantine.
The St. Agnes' Academy declined to identify the H1N1-infected students and refused to give information to the media.
It only announced that classes would be suspended until August 3.
Provincial and city health officials, in coordination with the school, are now contact tracing or identifying other students or teachers who have had close contact with the victims.
They are also finding out if the victims have traveled recently.
Lucañas said the confirmation of the cases was delayed three weeks because the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine— the technology used for testing and confirming H1N1 cases—in the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila, was out of order.
All cases nationwide are being tested in the RITM, which in turn send the results in a matter of three to five days to the regional health offices for intervention.
Lucañas said the three-week period that the results were delayed mattered a lot in the enforcement of precautionary measures in the school.
St. Agnes' Academy reported to the DoH high incidence of fever and colds among its students starting early July.
Dr. Nestor Santiago Jr., Bicol health director, said there were now 28 cases of H1N1 in the entire Bicol region—10 in Albay and 18 in Camarines Sur.
He said there were two suspected cases whose test results were pending.
Santiago said the DOH had already localized its intervention measures against H1N1 virus, devolving them to provincial and city health offices.
Founded in 1912, St. Agnes' Academy is the oldest school in Albay, with now around 3,000 students.
The school is the first to suspend classes in Albay province due to the H1N1 virus.
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:37:00 07/23/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—A Benedictine school in Albay suspended classes Thursday after six of its grade school students tested positive for the Influenza A(H1N1) virus, Bicol health officials reported.
Dr. Alan Lucañas of the Department of Health in Bicol, said Thursday the six students of St. Agnes' Academy in this city were now well but were still under home quarantine.
The St. Agnes' Academy declined to identify the H1N1-infected students and refused to give information to the media.
It only announced that classes would be suspended until August 3.
Provincial and city health officials, in coordination with the school, are now contact tracing or identifying other students or teachers who have had close contact with the victims.
They are also finding out if the victims have traveled recently.
Lucañas said the confirmation of the cases was delayed three weeks because the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine— the technology used for testing and confirming H1N1 cases—in the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila, was out of order.
All cases nationwide are being tested in the RITM, which in turn send the results in a matter of three to five days to the regional health offices for intervention.
Lucañas said the three-week period that the results were delayed mattered a lot in the enforcement of precautionary measures in the school.
St. Agnes' Academy reported to the DoH high incidence of fever and colds among its students starting early July.
Dr. Nestor Santiago Jr., Bicol health director, said there were now 28 cases of H1N1 in the entire Bicol region—10 in Albay and 18 in Camarines Sur.
He said there were two suspected cases whose test results were pending.
Santiago said the DOH had already localized its intervention measures against H1N1 virus, devolving them to provincial and city health offices.
Founded in 1912, St. Agnes' Academy is the oldest school in Albay, with now around 3,000 students.
The school is the first to suspend classes in Albay province due to the H1N1 virus.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
‘Hatton’, ‘Pacquiao’ draw hits on YouTube
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 20:53:00 05/09/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- Not many would know that a month ago, British boxer Ricky Hatton, whom Manny Pacquiao knocked out in a fight in Las Vegas recently, said in an interview that he would finish the Filipino boxing legend in just two rounds.
But the video of the interview, which has drawn over 54,000 hits on YouTube from the time it was uploaded on March 29 by YouTube user bingcherry06, is actually a comedy act featuring a tiny-voiced Hatton that speaks Bisaya.
The interviewer asks Hatton after how many rounds he thinks he can beat Pacquiao, to which the British boxer answers, “Duha ka rounds (Two rounds)!”
What makes this video funnier now is its contrast to the result of the actual fight, where Pacquiao defeated Hatton in a glorious knockout as early as the second round.
The video was created and uploaded a month ago.
“Duha ka rounds! Timing jud kaayo (Two rounds! How timely!) Bisdak rules!” a YouTube user posted a comment.
The funny YouTube video gained more than 25,000 hits just after the Pacquiao-Hatton fight in Las Vegas. It was also reposted on the social networking site Facebook.
The interviewer asks, “Dili kaha ka mahadlok ni Pacquiao? Ingon ra ba mga tawo nga naa daw kini banipas o agod-agod (Are you not afraid of Paquiao who, people say, has an amulet)?”
Hatton throws a strange answer, “Di na musalir sa akoa oi. Kay didto sa amo sa Siquijor, barang man uso sa amoa. Di mi mutuo og agod-agod. (He is no match to me. In our place in Siquijor, witchcraft is the 'in' thing. We don't believe in amulets).”
“Katong mga silingan namo sa una nga mga wakwak, wala na, gaboksing na sila kay para daw pud sila makasapi. (Our neighbors who were witches are no longer there; they are already into boxing -- to have money),” the Bisaya-speaking Hatton added.
The original video was an interview of Hatton after his fight with Paulie Malignaggi late last year.
The dubbed video has earned more than 250 comments from YouTube users.
Darnel Forro, an Ilonggo student based in Winnipeg, Canada, said he could not stop laughing while watching the video though he could not really fully understand it.
The way the Bisaya lines would match Hatton’s lip movements was amusing.
Forro ran to his father, who was formerly a military sergeant in Cebu province and the Mindanao region, for translation. He said his father laughed so hard before he could even translate it.
This is not the first time videos dubbed in a native language have gained popularity on YouTube.
One of the firsts was the Ilonggo version of a scene sliced from the film 300. It was titled “Benjo Kag ang Batalyon Pitbull (Benjo and the Pitbull Battalion). It has been reposted many times.
The Internet is also laden with funny photos of Pacquiao. These are digitally edited photos showing Pacquiao’s face attached to different bodies.
Several versions were uploaded on YouTube. One of them, which earned as much as 250,000 hits and 470 users’ comments, is a montage of photos showing Pacquiao as Superman, Michael Jackson, Gollum (Lord of the Rings character), Sergio (Dingdong Dantes’ character in the local version of Marimar), and many more.
Another video with more than 220,000 views shows boxer Emmanual Marquez II and Pacquiao dancing Hawaiian to the tune of Pearly Shell.
Forro said the videos would not have been as funny if not for Pacquiao.
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 20:53:00 05/09/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- Not many would know that a month ago, British boxer Ricky Hatton, whom Manny Pacquiao knocked out in a fight in Las Vegas recently, said in an interview that he would finish the Filipino boxing legend in just two rounds.
But the video of the interview, which has drawn over 54,000 hits on YouTube from the time it was uploaded on March 29 by YouTube user bingcherry06, is actually a comedy act featuring a tiny-voiced Hatton that speaks Bisaya.
The interviewer asks Hatton after how many rounds he thinks he can beat Pacquiao, to which the British boxer answers, “Duha ka rounds (Two rounds)!”
What makes this video funnier now is its contrast to the result of the actual fight, where Pacquiao defeated Hatton in a glorious knockout as early as the second round.
The video was created and uploaded a month ago.
“Duha ka rounds! Timing jud kaayo (Two rounds! How timely!) Bisdak rules!” a YouTube user posted a comment.
The funny YouTube video gained more than 25,000 hits just after the Pacquiao-Hatton fight in Las Vegas. It was also reposted on the social networking site Facebook.
The interviewer asks, “Dili kaha ka mahadlok ni Pacquiao? Ingon ra ba mga tawo nga naa daw kini banipas o agod-agod (Are you not afraid of Paquiao who, people say, has an amulet)?”
Hatton throws a strange answer, “Di na musalir sa akoa oi. Kay didto sa amo sa Siquijor, barang man uso sa amoa. Di mi mutuo og agod-agod. (He is no match to me. In our place in Siquijor, witchcraft is the 'in' thing. We don't believe in amulets).”
“Katong mga silingan namo sa una nga mga wakwak, wala na, gaboksing na sila kay para daw pud sila makasapi. (Our neighbors who were witches are no longer there; they are already into boxing -- to have money),” the Bisaya-speaking Hatton added.
The original video was an interview of Hatton after his fight with Paulie Malignaggi late last year.
The dubbed video has earned more than 250 comments from YouTube users.
Darnel Forro, an Ilonggo student based in Winnipeg, Canada, said he could not stop laughing while watching the video though he could not really fully understand it.
The way the Bisaya lines would match Hatton’s lip movements was amusing.
Forro ran to his father, who was formerly a military sergeant in Cebu province and the Mindanao region, for translation. He said his father laughed so hard before he could even translate it.
This is not the first time videos dubbed in a native language have gained popularity on YouTube.
One of the firsts was the Ilonggo version of a scene sliced from the film 300. It was titled “Benjo Kag ang Batalyon Pitbull (Benjo and the Pitbull Battalion). It has been reposted many times.
The Internet is also laden with funny photos of Pacquiao. These are digitally edited photos showing Pacquiao’s face attached to different bodies.
Several versions were uploaded on YouTube. One of them, which earned as much as 250,000 hits and 470 users’ comments, is a montage of photos showing Pacquiao as Superman, Michael Jackson, Gollum (Lord of the Rings character), Sergio (Dingdong Dantes’ character in the local version of Marimar), and many more.
Another video with more than 220,000 views shows boxer Emmanual Marquez II and Pacquiao dancing Hawaiian to the tune of Pearly Shell.
Forro said the videos would not have been as funny if not for Pacquiao.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Twitter, Facebook abuzz over Pacquiao win
‘Unbelievable,’ says Mariah Carey
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 16:48:00 05/03/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – On her Twitter page, popular singer Mariah Carey said Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao’s win over British Rocky Hatton was “unbelievable.”
Carey’s entries or “tweets” were announced by her Filipino fans on the social networking website Facebook.
The popular singer said: “This is quite violent.” Another entry read, “I can’t even know what to say.”
Towards the end of the fight, Carey, said Pacquiao was “unbelievable.”
Facebook was filled with shouts on Pacquiao’s victory. Some said those who viewed it on pay-per-view did not get their money’s worth because Hatton “kissed the floor” as early as Round 1 and was knocked out on Round 2.
“Talo! Talo ang mga nanood sa mga malls. Round 2 lang [Losers! Those who watched in malls lost. The match ended in Round 2],” one user said.
Other Facebook users said:
“I feel bad for Hatton. He saw the whole milky way.”
“Asar si Aling Dionisia kasi naunahan siya ni Hatton na himatayin! [Aling Dionisia was irked because Hatton fainted ahead of her].”
“Ano kayang regalo ni Pacquiao kay Aling Dionisia? “Eskenejens? [What would be Pacquiao's gift for Aling Dionisia? Skinny Jeans?]”
Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia, has fainted on national television several times whenever Pacquiao had a fight.
“Mas matagal pa ang paghahanap ng parking kaysa laban ni Pacman. [It took longer to find a parking space than to watch the Pacman fight].”
"Panalo na naman si Chavit!” [Chavit is again a winner]," referring to former Ilocos Sur governor Luis Chavit Singson, a close supporter of Pacquiao.
“People forgot the H1N1 Virus over Pacman-Hitman fight,” another Facebook user said.
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 16:48:00 05/03/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – On her Twitter page, popular singer Mariah Carey said Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao’s win over British Rocky Hatton was “unbelievable.”
Carey’s entries or “tweets” were announced by her Filipino fans on the social networking website Facebook.
The popular singer said: “This is quite violent.” Another entry read, “I can’t even know what to say.”
Towards the end of the fight, Carey, said Pacquiao was “unbelievable.”
Facebook was filled with shouts on Pacquiao’s victory. Some said those who viewed it on pay-per-view did not get their money’s worth because Hatton “kissed the floor” as early as Round 1 and was knocked out on Round 2.
“Talo! Talo ang mga nanood sa mga malls. Round 2 lang [Losers! Those who watched in malls lost. The match ended in Round 2],” one user said.
Other Facebook users said:
“I feel bad for Hatton. He saw the whole milky way.”
“Asar si Aling Dionisia kasi naunahan siya ni Hatton na himatayin! [Aling Dionisia was irked because Hatton fainted ahead of her].”
“Ano kayang regalo ni Pacquiao kay Aling Dionisia? “Eskenejens? [What would be Pacquiao's gift for Aling Dionisia? Skinny Jeans?]”
Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia, has fainted on national television several times whenever Pacquiao had a fight.
“Mas matagal pa ang paghahanap ng parking kaysa laban ni Pacman. [It took longer to find a parking space than to watch the Pacman fight].”
"Panalo na naman si Chavit!” [Chavit is again a winner]," referring to former Ilocos Sur governor Luis Chavit Singson, a close supporter of Pacquiao.
“People forgot the H1N1 Virus over Pacman-Hitman fight,” another Facebook user said.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Lozada family in Albay worried, angry
By Ephraim Aguilar
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:07:00 05/01/2009
INQUIRER.net
LIGAO CITY, Albay -- Even if they already knew that an arrest was going to happen, the family of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, the key witness to the alleged corruption in the scuttled National Broadband Network contract, could not keep themselves calm.
Roberto Vargas, 59, Lozada’s brother-in-law, said the whistleblower was constantly communicating with his family here in Bicol, mentioning about a possible arrest on perjury charges.
Watching news of the arrest on TV, Lozada’s eldest sister Carmen was “worried and angry,” said Vargas.
Carmen left Bicol for Manila Wednesday night to show support to her brother.
“Even though we knew about the arrest even before it happened, the family was still in shock. We felt disgust over the country’s justice system,” Vargas added.
He said the family considered the arrest a form of political harassment.
“Who would believe that the perjury case was filed only to protect Mike Defensor’s reputation? There is certainly more to it than that,” Vargas said.
“But it’s up for the public to judge. We just have to read between the lines,” he added.
Vargas also said the family supported Lozada’s refusal to post bail and honored his steadfast willingness to face the battle.
But Vargas said the family could not help but worry about Lozada’s safety.
“Baka may mangyaring masama sa kanya (Something bad might happen to him),” Vargas said.
The Senate has withdrawn the security it gave to Lozada but Vargas said the family was thankful for the nuns who have been guarding him and who have been holding vigils for him.
“The family needs everyone’s prayers for Jun’s safety,” Vargas said.
To the left of the city hall are small convenience stores owned by the Lozada family.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer tried to interview one of Lozada’s aunts in one of the stores but the old woman irately said, “I don’t care about him. I don’t know him!”
Vargas later apologized to the Inquirer, explaining that not everyone in the family had the courage to face Lozada’s battle.
He said Lozada’s aunt has always been afraid of people prying on family matters.
The Lozada family here is known to be private and religious.
When Lozada was still touring schools to give talks, he would visit his family here in Bicol.
Vargas said Lozada, who was once tagged “probinsyanong intsik (Chinese from the province),” would always tell them that he never regretted telling the truth at the expense of his freedom and safety.
He would always tell the family, “My soul is intact. I have no regrets.”
But Vargas said Lozada also admitted that it was hard explaining everything to his wife and children, who are now facing a new ordeal after the arrest.
Pastor Dan Balucio, secretary general of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) in Bicol, said Lozada’s arrest only proved the government’s continual “manipulation of truth and justice” in order to cover up the anomalous transactions involving high-ranking government officials.
Balucio said religious and civic organizations that supported Lozada at the height of the NBN deal controversy decided to launch the Free Jun Lozada Movement after the Labor Day celebration.
“We will conduct prayer rallies and mass mobilizations to call for Lozada’s freedom and the dumping of the case against him,” Balucio said in a phone interview.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:07:00 05/01/2009
INQUIRER.net
LIGAO CITY, Albay -- Even if they already knew that an arrest was going to happen, the family of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, the key witness to the alleged corruption in the scuttled National Broadband Network contract, could not keep themselves calm.
Roberto Vargas, 59, Lozada’s brother-in-law, said the whistleblower was constantly communicating with his family here in Bicol, mentioning about a possible arrest on perjury charges.
Watching news of the arrest on TV, Lozada’s eldest sister Carmen was “worried and angry,” said Vargas.
Carmen left Bicol for Manila Wednesday night to show support to her brother.
“Even though we knew about the arrest even before it happened, the family was still in shock. We felt disgust over the country’s justice system,” Vargas added.
He said the family considered the arrest a form of political harassment.
“Who would believe that the perjury case was filed only to protect Mike Defensor’s reputation? There is certainly more to it than that,” Vargas said.
“But it’s up for the public to judge. We just have to read between the lines,” he added.
Vargas also said the family supported Lozada’s refusal to post bail and honored his steadfast willingness to face the battle.
But Vargas said the family could not help but worry about Lozada’s safety.
“Baka may mangyaring masama sa kanya (Something bad might happen to him),” Vargas said.
The Senate has withdrawn the security it gave to Lozada but Vargas said the family was thankful for the nuns who have been guarding him and who have been holding vigils for him.
“The family needs everyone’s prayers for Jun’s safety,” Vargas said.
To the left of the city hall are small convenience stores owned by the Lozada family.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer tried to interview one of Lozada’s aunts in one of the stores but the old woman irately said, “I don’t care about him. I don’t know him!”
Vargas later apologized to the Inquirer, explaining that not everyone in the family had the courage to face Lozada’s battle.
He said Lozada’s aunt has always been afraid of people prying on family matters.
The Lozada family here is known to be private and religious.
When Lozada was still touring schools to give talks, he would visit his family here in Bicol.
Vargas said Lozada, who was once tagged “probinsyanong intsik (Chinese from the province),” would always tell them that he never regretted telling the truth at the expense of his freedom and safety.
He would always tell the family, “My soul is intact. I have no regrets.”
But Vargas said Lozada also admitted that it was hard explaining everything to his wife and children, who are now facing a new ordeal after the arrest.
Pastor Dan Balucio, secretary general of the Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) in Bicol, said Lozada’s arrest only proved the government’s continual “manipulation of truth and justice” in order to cover up the anomalous transactions involving high-ranking government officials.
Balucio said religious and civic organizations that supported Lozada at the height of the NBN deal controversy decided to launch the Free Jun Lozada Movement after the Labor Day celebration.
“We will conduct prayer rallies and mass mobilizations to call for Lozada’s freedom and the dumping of the case against him,” Balucio said in a phone interview.
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