By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 17:37:00 03/26/2009
Filed Under: Politics, Accidents (general)
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--The boy who was run over by horses in Masbate City last week is now stable and out of danger, but this time, he is being run over by different creatures: annoying politicians.
Russell, 11, a fifth-grade student of Jose Zurbito Elementary School, was wounded as Senator Manuel Villar’s helicopter was landing in the sports arena where the annual Rodeo Masbateño festival was opened.
The chopper’s landing stirred up dust on the ground and spooked five horses, which dashed around the stadium, running over Russell who sustained facial abrasions and contusions in the head.
“We were nervous when we heard about what happened to our son. First, because we weren’t there and we had no idea how serious it was,” Russell’s father, Roberto Bentor said in a phone interview.
Villar’s dramatic entrance, which cut a speech of a top local official, sparked criticism from some of the locals, saying it was improper.
Russell was rushed to the hospital semi-conscious and had to breathe through oxygen equipment. Doctors have also kept a dextrose plugged to his vein during his first day of stay in the hospital.
His classmates paid a visit until he regained consciousness.
His teacher Lovella Patricio claimed that Russell had a seizure right after his fall. He did not undergo a CT scan, which was not available in Masbate City.
Bentor said they only wanted a CT scan for his son to make sure he was completely safe after the head injury.
He added the hospital bills were covered by their PhilHealth insurance.
Salvador Belgica, Jose Zurbito Elementary School principal, who had a meeting with Russell’s parents Thursday, said the family was not interested in any financial help and would only want their lives back to normal.
Belgica said politicians wooing Russell’s family have been bothersome and annoying.
He said Russell was getting scared by the unusual attention he and his family have been getting.
Roberto said that, after the incident, at least four political camps, known to be Villar’s rivals in the 2010 presidential elections, had approached them.
He, however, refused to name who the politicians were.
“We did not entertain any of them and we have no plans of accepting any offer from them. We don’t want to get involved in politics,” Roberto said in Filipino.
There were also radio reports this week that Russell was still in serious condition but Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, Masbate provincial health officer, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he was discharged from the hospital a day after he was admitted.
Earlier, Villar said he had no intention of disrupting the event and apologized to those who felt offended.
“From what I know, there were some [safety] issues but the pilot was able to land without too much disruption. Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest,” he said.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Cowboy Manny spooks horses, guests in rodeo
By Ephraim Aguilar
INQUIRER.net
MASBATE CITY--Talk about a dramatic entrance.
A helicopter descended from the heavens, stirring up dust, while a political jingle played at full blast. Senator Manuel Villar, who came dressed as a cowboy, alighted from the chopper and was brought to the grandstand by a mob of aides and supporters.
This happened in the middle of the opening ceremonies of the annual Rodeo Masbateño festival here on Wednesday, disrupting a speech by a top local tourism official.
Five horses, spooked by the chopper’s landing, dashed around the stadium like mad creatures and ran over a boy who was injured and rushed to the hospital.
Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, provincial health officer, said the boy arrived at the hospital semiconscious and was found to have suffered abrasions on his face as well as cerebral contusions.
Meanwhile, the star-struck masses howled as cowboy Villar paced closer and started shaking everyone’s hand.
Villar, who is running for president in 2010, later delivered a speech.
Respect culture of place
For most people, the senator’s entrance was too grand to ignore.
But for education supervisor Erusita Rosero, cultural coordinator of the Department of Education in Masbate City, Villar’s behavior was not proper.
“No one should disrupt an activity like that. Visitors should properly respect the culture of a place,” Rosero said.
“Since he (Villar) was invited by politicians, there could also be something political behind his visit,” she added.
So sorry
Rosero said all guests were welcome to Masbate. She added there was nothing wrong with inviting Villar but his visit should not be used as an opportunity to campaign.
Throughout the opening rites, Villar was repeatedly referred to by emcees and other politicians as the “next president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Asked for comment, Villar said he had no intention of disrupting the event and apologized to those who felt offended.
“From what I know, there were some [safety] issues but the pilot was able to land without too much disruption. Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest,” he said.
Not intentional
Masbate Governor Elisa Kho, who was with Villar during his late entrance, said the circumstances were not within the senator’s control.
She said they already apologized to Maria Ong-Ravanilla, regional director of the Department of Tourism, for unintentionally disrupting her speech.
“I think it was not being disrespectful,” Kho said in a phone interview.
She added that the 2010 elections were not that far off and politicians tend to grab every opportunity to introduce themselves to the public.
“It cannot be avoided,” Kho said.
She also said that Villar pledged support for the annual rodeo festival and to Masbate province once he was elected president.
Why not the airport?
Local trader Carmelito Fajara, 37, said there were varied reactions from Masbate residents. Some were offended, while others couldn’t care less.
“But since the city has an airport, I think it would have been wiser if [Villar] had landed there so he could quietly enter the stadium,” Fajara said.
“It’s only now, after many years, that I have witnessed such a scene during the rodeo festival!” he added.
“Dili pa ngani siya nagiging presidente (He is not even president yet),” was another comment from a local resident.
INQUIRER.net
MASBATE CITY--Talk about a dramatic entrance.
A helicopter descended from the heavens, stirring up dust, while a political jingle played at full blast. Senator Manuel Villar, who came dressed as a cowboy, alighted from the chopper and was brought to the grandstand by a mob of aides and supporters.
This happened in the middle of the opening ceremonies of the annual Rodeo Masbateño festival here on Wednesday, disrupting a speech by a top local tourism official.
Five horses, spooked by the chopper’s landing, dashed around the stadium like mad creatures and ran over a boy who was injured and rushed to the hospital.
Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, provincial health officer, said the boy arrived at the hospital semiconscious and was found to have suffered abrasions on his face as well as cerebral contusions.
Meanwhile, the star-struck masses howled as cowboy Villar paced closer and started shaking everyone’s hand.
Villar, who is running for president in 2010, later delivered a speech.
Respect culture of place
For most people, the senator’s entrance was too grand to ignore.
But for education supervisor Erusita Rosero, cultural coordinator of the Department of Education in Masbate City, Villar’s behavior was not proper.
“No one should disrupt an activity like that. Visitors should properly respect the culture of a place,” Rosero said.
“Since he (Villar) was invited by politicians, there could also be something political behind his visit,” she added.
So sorry
Rosero said all guests were welcome to Masbate. She added there was nothing wrong with inviting Villar but his visit should not be used as an opportunity to campaign.
Throughout the opening rites, Villar was repeatedly referred to by emcees and other politicians as the “next president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Asked for comment, Villar said he had no intention of disrupting the event and apologized to those who felt offended.
“From what I know, there were some [safety] issues but the pilot was able to land without too much disruption. Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest,” he said.
Not intentional
Masbate Governor Elisa Kho, who was with Villar during his late entrance, said the circumstances were not within the senator’s control.
She said they already apologized to Maria Ong-Ravanilla, regional director of the Department of Tourism, for unintentionally disrupting her speech.
“I think it was not being disrespectful,” Kho said in a phone interview.
She added that the 2010 elections were not that far off and politicians tend to grab every opportunity to introduce themselves to the public.
“It cannot be avoided,” Kho said.
She also said that Villar pledged support for the annual rodeo festival and to Masbate province once he was elected president.
Why not the airport?
Local trader Carmelito Fajara, 37, said there were varied reactions from Masbate residents. Some were offended, while others couldn’t care less.
“But since the city has an airport, I think it would have been wiser if [Villar] had landed there so he could quietly enter the stadium,” Fajara said.
“It’s only now, after many years, that I have witnessed such a scene during the rodeo festival!” he added.
“Dili pa ngani siya nagiging presidente (He is not even president yet),” was another comment from a local resident.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Villar’s visit to Masbate spooks horses
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 18:13:00 03/21/2009
INQUIRER.net
MASBATE CITY, Masbate—(Update) A senator’s chopper descended from heaven, churning up clouds of dust from ground, and then a political jingle began to play loudly as he was ushered by a mob of aides and supporters to the grandstand.
This happened in the middle of the opening ceremonies of the Rodeo Masbateño festival here last Wednesday, disrupting the speech of a top local tourism official.
Five horses in one corner of the stadium were spooked by the helicopter’s landing and vaulted away, overrunning a boy who had to be rushed to a hospital.
Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, provincial health officer, said the boy, who was semi-conscious when brought to the hospital, suffered abrasions and cerebral contusions.
Probably star-struck, the masses howled as Senator Manuel Villar, who is running for president in 2010 and was dressed like a cowboy, paced closer to them and shook everyone’s hand.
The senator’s dramatic entrance was too grand to ignore, but for some it was a form of disrespect.
For education supervisor Erusita Rosero, cultural coordinator of the Department of Education in Masbate City, said Villar’s behavior was not proper.
“No one should disrupt an activity like that. Visitors should properly respect the culture of a place,” she said.
“Since he (Villar) was invited by politicians, there could also be something political behind his visit,” Rosero said.
She added that every guest was welcome to Masbate province and that there was nothing wrong with Villar being invited but she wished his arrival at the festival should not have been used for careless campaigning.
“Sa pagkaka-alam ko, although there were slight issues, the pilot was able to land safely without too much disruption,” Villar said in a statement e-mailed to the Inquire Saturday evening. “Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest. I thank them.”
Throughout the opening rites, Villar was repeatedly addressed by emcees and other politicians as the “next president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Local trader Carmelito Lajara, 37, said there could be varying reactions from people; some might have been offended while others may have not.
“But since the city has an airport, I think it could have been wiser if [Villar] landed there instead so he could more quietly enter the venue. In that way, he wouldn’t get so much attention,” Fajara said.
“Only now, after many years that I have witnessed the Rodeo festival, did such a scene happen!” Fajara said.
“Dili pa ngani siya nagiging presidente, (He has not yet even become president)” was a common side comment from some Masbate residents.
Sought for comment, Masbate Governor Elisa Kho, who was with Villar during his late entrance, said the circumstances were not within Villar’s control.
She added that they apologized to Maria Ong-Ravanilla, regional director of the Department of Tourism, for disrupting her speech.
“I think it was not being disrespectful,” Kho said in a phone interview, explaining that the 2010 election were not so far off and politicians had to grab every opportunity to introduce themselves to the public. “It cannot be avoided.”
She added that Villar pledged support to the annual Rodeo festival and to Masbate province once he is elected as president.
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 18:13:00 03/21/2009
INQUIRER.net
MASBATE CITY, Masbate—(Update) A senator’s chopper descended from heaven, churning up clouds of dust from ground, and then a political jingle began to play loudly as he was ushered by a mob of aides and supporters to the grandstand.
This happened in the middle of the opening ceremonies of the Rodeo Masbateño festival here last Wednesday, disrupting the speech of a top local tourism official.
Five horses in one corner of the stadium were spooked by the helicopter’s landing and vaulted away, overrunning a boy who had to be rushed to a hospital.
Dr. Adolfo Almanzor, provincial health officer, said the boy, who was semi-conscious when brought to the hospital, suffered abrasions and cerebral contusions.
Probably star-struck, the masses howled as Senator Manuel Villar, who is running for president in 2010 and was dressed like a cowboy, paced closer to them and shook everyone’s hand.
The senator’s dramatic entrance was too grand to ignore, but for some it was a form of disrespect.
For education supervisor Erusita Rosero, cultural coordinator of the Department of Education in Masbate City, said Villar’s behavior was not proper.
“No one should disrupt an activity like that. Visitors should properly respect the culture of a place,” she said.
“Since he (Villar) was invited by politicians, there could also be something political behind his visit,” Rosero said.
She added that every guest was welcome to Masbate province and that there was nothing wrong with Villar being invited but she wished his arrival at the festival should not have been used for careless campaigning.
“Sa pagkaka-alam ko, although there were slight issues, the pilot was able to land safely without too much disruption,” Villar said in a statement e-mailed to the Inquire Saturday evening. “Nevertheless, if some people were inconvenienced, I apologize. The very warm reception of the crowd on that occasion encourages me to return to Masbate soonest. I thank them.”
Throughout the opening rites, Villar was repeatedly addressed by emcees and other politicians as the “next president of the Republic of the Philippines.”
Local trader Carmelito Lajara, 37, said there could be varying reactions from people; some might have been offended while others may have not.
“But since the city has an airport, I think it could have been wiser if [Villar] landed there instead so he could more quietly enter the venue. In that way, he wouldn’t get so much attention,” Fajara said.
“Only now, after many years that I have witnessed the Rodeo festival, did such a scene happen!” Fajara said.
“Dili pa ngani siya nagiging presidente, (He has not yet even become president)” was a common side comment from some Masbate residents.
Sought for comment, Masbate Governor Elisa Kho, who was with Villar during his late entrance, said the circumstances were not within Villar’s control.
She added that they apologized to Maria Ong-Ravanilla, regional director of the Department of Tourism, for disrupting her speech.
“I think it was not being disrespectful,” Kho said in a phone interview, explaining that the 2010 election were not so far off and politicians had to grab every opportunity to introduce themselves to the public. “It cannot be avoided.”
She added that Villar pledged support to the annual Rodeo festival and to Masbate province once he is elected as president.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Banking on good name to attain success
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
DARAGA, ALBAY--Wendy Destacamento, 55, a local producer of processed meat, knows that her products are of the best quality simply because her own grandchildren eat them.
Wendy, a grandmother of three, says there is nothing as reliable as what’s cooking in your mother’s kitchen—a familiar taste that never jades the appetite.
“We earned our buyers’ trust by our “lutong-bahay” (home-cooked) reputation,” Wendy says. “We ensure the quality of our products since they’re what we eat, and they’re what our own grandchildren eat.”
Wendy and her husband Oscar, 60, have been locally producing fresh cut and processed meat products in Albay province through Juanito’s Meat and Marinated Products—a homegrown company they put up 24 years ago.
It started in 1985 with a meager capital of P1,500. The couple would sell fresh pork to friends. That eventually led to the establishment of an outlet in this town’s public market. Later, another branch opened in a more strategic place in Legazpi City.
Oscar says that since locally processed meat products cater only to smaller areas requiring shorter freezing time, they are free from harmful preservatives.
Juanito’s Meat has since expanded, producing other meat products as well, such as hotdog, ham, meat loaf, luncheon meat, corned beef, smoked hamonado, foot-long sausage, bologna, embutido, burger patties and lumpia shanghai.
Oscar says Juanito’s does not use genetically engineered or modified organisms or additives in their products. It also uses organic color such as paprika or “paminton.”
He adds they do not use dumped or cheap meat from other countries. Juanito’s products have also been fortified with anticarcinogenic properties and Vitamin C.
The Destacamento couple has never been daunted even if Juanito’s sits alongside other popular meat brands in shopping mall freezers in the cities of Legazpi and Lucena.
Juanito’s may not have put out advertisements on TV or newspapers, but it has a loyal clientele whose number has grown through the years by word of mouth.
“People who have tested the quality of our products eventually become our loyal buyers,” says Wendy. “And they tell their friends about us, too.”
She says locally processed meat products are more fresh since it is intended for smaller communities and is expected to reach consumers soon after production, thus requiring no artificial preservatives.
After the scare that gripped the world when some food products imported from China were reportedly contaminated with melamine—a white powder used in plastic-making harmful to human health—local food producers expected a boost in sales.
Oscar, who is also vice president of the Bicol Region Association of Meat Processors, says their sales increased by 15 percent after the China food scandal late last year.
However, Oscar adds that this boost in sales is still measly compared to profits and property lost to the “Supertyphoon Reming” in late 2006. The power outage that lasted for more than a month caused them to temporarily cease operations.
“We almost closed down our business,” Wendy says, recalling the tragedy. “We even told our workers they had to stop working for us, and when we gave them their separation pays, they didn’t want to take the money.”
It was then that Wendy realized they were “helping people earn a living ... and that we were also providing quality food to the locals, so we decided to press on no matter how hard it was.”
Another challenge faced by local meat processors is the limited market.
The couple says it really takes constant effort to maintain good product quality on which to build a good and trusted name. Only by doing so will the number of their loyal costumers grow.
(Juanito’s Meat may be reached at 0915-8246003.)
Inquirer Southern Luzon
DARAGA, ALBAY--Wendy Destacamento, 55, a local producer of processed meat, knows that her products are of the best quality simply because her own grandchildren eat them.
Wendy, a grandmother of three, says there is nothing as reliable as what’s cooking in your mother’s kitchen—a familiar taste that never jades the appetite.
“We earned our buyers’ trust by our “lutong-bahay” (home-cooked) reputation,” Wendy says. “We ensure the quality of our products since they’re what we eat, and they’re what our own grandchildren eat.”
Wendy and her husband Oscar, 60, have been locally producing fresh cut and processed meat products in Albay province through Juanito’s Meat and Marinated Products—a homegrown company they put up 24 years ago.
It started in 1985 with a meager capital of P1,500. The couple would sell fresh pork to friends. That eventually led to the establishment of an outlet in this town’s public market. Later, another branch opened in a more strategic place in Legazpi City.
Oscar says that since locally processed meat products cater only to smaller areas requiring shorter freezing time, they are free from harmful preservatives.
Juanito’s Meat has since expanded, producing other meat products as well, such as hotdog, ham, meat loaf, luncheon meat, corned beef, smoked hamonado, foot-long sausage, bologna, embutido, burger patties and lumpia shanghai.
Oscar says Juanito’s does not use genetically engineered or modified organisms or additives in their products. It also uses organic color such as paprika or “paminton.”
He adds they do not use dumped or cheap meat from other countries. Juanito’s products have also been fortified with anticarcinogenic properties and Vitamin C.
The Destacamento couple has never been daunted even if Juanito’s sits alongside other popular meat brands in shopping mall freezers in the cities of Legazpi and Lucena.
Juanito’s may not have put out advertisements on TV or newspapers, but it has a loyal clientele whose number has grown through the years by word of mouth.
“People who have tested the quality of our products eventually become our loyal buyers,” says Wendy. “And they tell their friends about us, too.”
She says locally processed meat products are more fresh since it is intended for smaller communities and is expected to reach consumers soon after production, thus requiring no artificial preservatives.
After the scare that gripped the world when some food products imported from China were reportedly contaminated with melamine—a white powder used in plastic-making harmful to human health—local food producers expected a boost in sales.
Oscar, who is also vice president of the Bicol Region Association of Meat Processors, says their sales increased by 15 percent after the China food scandal late last year.
However, Oscar adds that this boost in sales is still measly compared to profits and property lost to the “Supertyphoon Reming” in late 2006. The power outage that lasted for more than a month caused them to temporarily cease operations.
“We almost closed down our business,” Wendy says, recalling the tragedy. “We even told our workers they had to stop working for us, and when we gave them their separation pays, they didn’t want to take the money.”
It was then that Wendy realized they were “helping people earn a living ... and that we were also providing quality food to the locals, so we decided to press on no matter how hard it was.”
Another challenge faced by local meat processors is the limited market.
The couple says it really takes constant effort to maintain good product quality on which to build a good and trusted name. Only by doing so will the number of their loyal costumers grow.
(Juanito’s Meat may be reached at 0915-8246003.)
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Spend more on social services, gov’t urged
By Ephraim Aguilar
Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY--WITH THE GLOBAL ECOnomic crisis looking like it will be “deeper, broader and longer,” the government should prioritize social protection measures over a stimulus package, said Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.
Instead of the “big-jolt” spending of a stimulus package to pump life into a sickening economy, the government should spend more, but slowly, on basic social services, said Salceda, who is one of President Macapagal-Arroyo’s economic advisers.
Salceda, who spoke at the Bicol Regional Development Council meeting here, said the global economic slowdown is likely to last three years.
Salceda, who is the Bicol-RDC chair, argued for a change in the development framework, saying that in a stimulus response to the crisis, as in the P330-billion stimulus package, government resources could run out.
He said the government should focus on long-term projects, take advantage of low economic activity, and expand productive capacity while creating jobs to support incomes.
Salceda explained that in an economic crisis, demand—or the daily activity of buying and spending that keeps an economy going—weakens. Even if prices of goods are low, people do not have the money to spend.
If businesses and consumers would rather save than spend, then the government should do more of the spending, Salceda said.
“When everyone stops spending, only the government can take risks. When there is no demand, only the government can create demand,” Salceda said.
He said government should be doing the spending because it can afford to take big losses and its losses are spread out over the entire population and over time.
In the meantime, the governor advised people to be frugal spenders and businessmen to cut down on essentials.
He said people should build their skills to make themselves more marketable. With a report from Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY--WITH THE GLOBAL ECOnomic crisis looking like it will be “deeper, broader and longer,” the government should prioritize social protection measures over a stimulus package, said Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.
Instead of the “big-jolt” spending of a stimulus package to pump life into a sickening economy, the government should spend more, but slowly, on basic social services, said Salceda, who is one of President Macapagal-Arroyo’s economic advisers.
Salceda, who spoke at the Bicol Regional Development Council meeting here, said the global economic slowdown is likely to last three years.
Salceda, who is the Bicol-RDC chair, argued for a change in the development framework, saying that in a stimulus response to the crisis, as in the P330-billion stimulus package, government resources could run out.
He said the government should focus on long-term projects, take advantage of low economic activity, and expand productive capacity while creating jobs to support incomes.
Salceda explained that in an economic crisis, demand—or the daily activity of buying and spending that keeps an economy going—weakens. Even if prices of goods are low, people do not have the money to spend.
If businesses and consumers would rather save than spend, then the government should do more of the spending, Salceda said.
“When everyone stops spending, only the government can take risks. When there is no demand, only the government can create demand,” Salceda said.
He said government should be doing the spending because it can afford to take big losses and its losses are spread out over the entire population and over time.
In the meantime, the governor advised people to be frugal spenders and businessmen to cut down on essentials.
He said people should build their skills to make themselves more marketable. With a report from Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Bicol disaster exec hurt in road mishap
By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 17:42:00 01/21/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—A top Bicol civil defense official active in disaster operations was wounded after his service vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle in Daraga, Albay Tuesday afternoon, the Bicol police revealed Wednesday.
Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Raffy Alejandro was aboard a Tamaraw FX government vehicle being driven by Ehzel Galit, 29, running towards Bonot village in Legazpi City when it collided with a Kia Besta van being driven by Christopher Vargas, 41, of Obaliw Rinas village in Oas, Albay.
Investigation reports from the Camp General Simeon Ola here revealed that the Kia Besta van, which was registered to a certain Rodelia Largado of Legazpi City, had overtaken a tricycle. Encroaching the left lane, it collided with the Tamaraw FX running from the opposite direction.
Bernardo and both drivers were all wounded and were rushed to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital for treatment. Both vehicles, which are now in custody of the Daraga police, were damaged.
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 17:42:00 01/21/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—A top Bicol civil defense official active in disaster operations was wounded after his service vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle in Daraga, Albay Tuesday afternoon, the Bicol police revealed Wednesday.
Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Raffy Alejandro was aboard a Tamaraw FX government vehicle being driven by Ehzel Galit, 29, running towards Bonot village in Legazpi City when it collided with a Kia Besta van being driven by Christopher Vargas, 41, of Obaliw Rinas village in Oas, Albay.
Investigation reports from the Camp General Simeon Ola here revealed that the Kia Besta van, which was registered to a certain Rodelia Largado of Legazpi City, had overtaken a tricycle. Encroaching the left lane, it collided with the Tamaraw FX running from the opposite direction.
Bernardo and both drivers were all wounded and were rushed to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital for treatment. Both vehicles, which are now in custody of the Daraga police, were damaged.
Gabriela nixes RP-US Balikatan
Recalls sex abuse cases
By Ephraim Aguilar, Roy Gersalia
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 15:37:00 01/21/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--The women party-list Gabriela has joined other groups in opposing the staging of joint military exercises between the Philippines and the US in the Bicol region this April, fearing a full return of US military basing in the country and the culture of sexual abuse that once prevailed in Subic and Clark decades ago.
Going over records, Jenelyn Nagrampa, secretary general of Bikolana Gabriela, recalled their group filed 97 cases of rape and sexual assault against American soldiers in Clark and Subic, in which 15 of the victims were children.
She said this was before 1990 when the US bases in the country were closed down.
Nagrampa added that when the US military bases were in the country, more than 3,000 cases of abuse of women and children were filed by other sectors and individuals against US servicemen in Clark Air Field from 1980 to 1988.
"Sadly, justice was not served to any of the victims. None of the cases have been resolved. Others have not even been reported," she said.
"The public should be reminded that there was more than just one Nicole," she added.
Nicole was the victim in the much-publicized Subic rape case in 2005, wherein US Marine Daniel Smith was convicted while three others were acquitted. Smith is detained at the United Estates Embassy as he asked the Philippine Court of Appeals to review his case.
The Subic rape case is considered a landmark case, being the first case of a conviction among over 3,000 cases filed against US service members in the Philippines.
Nagrampa said Gabriela would file a resolution in the House of Representatives urging the government to ban US troops from coming to Bicol.
The annual joint military exercises, which Philippine Army officials said would include humanitarian projects, would be staged in three Bicol provinces -- Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon--in April.
She added that if Balikatan would push through in Bicol, it might increase cases of women abuse, prostitution, and spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Earlier, Bishop Lucilo Quiambao of the Diocese of Legazpi expressed opposition to the coming of the US troops in Bicol, saying it might affect the moral condition of the people, especially women.
Nagrampa said that aside from the resolution to be filed in Congress, Gabriela would also step up its awareness campaign among women in areas covered by the exercises.
Tessa Lopez, spokesperson of Bayan-Bikol (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, New Patriotic Alliance), said a massive rally has been scheduled for January 22 expected to coincide with the reported arrival of US Ambassador Kristy Kenney to Bicol.
"This is to show the urgency and seriousness of our call against Balikatan and the long-debated Visiting Forces Agreement," she added.
A Sorsogon-wide group named "Sorsoganon United Movement Against Balikatan at Para sa Kapayapaan" or "Sumaba ka" (Speak out) was launched over the weekend to seek a stop to the planned Balikatan exercises in the Bicol region.
The group joined other people's organizations, human rights advocates, and the Catholic Church in Legazpi City, which already took a position opposed to the exercises, said Jocelyn Bisuna, spokesperson of the region-wide alliance called Ban Balikatan.
"We hope that other formations like these will be formed at the soonest time possible in other Bicol provinces so that we can show the US troops that we do not want them here and we have not forgotten our history," added Bisuna.
By Ephraim Aguilar, Roy Gersalia
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 15:37:00 01/21/2009
INQUIRER.net
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines--The women party-list Gabriela has joined other groups in opposing the staging of joint military exercises between the Philippines and the US in the Bicol region this April, fearing a full return of US military basing in the country and the culture of sexual abuse that once prevailed in Subic and Clark decades ago.
Going over records, Jenelyn Nagrampa, secretary general of Bikolana Gabriela, recalled their group filed 97 cases of rape and sexual assault against American soldiers in Clark and Subic, in which 15 of the victims were children.
She said this was before 1990 when the US bases in the country were closed down.
Nagrampa added that when the US military bases were in the country, more than 3,000 cases of abuse of women and children were filed by other sectors and individuals against US servicemen in Clark Air Field from 1980 to 1988.
"Sadly, justice was not served to any of the victims. None of the cases have been resolved. Others have not even been reported," she said.
"The public should be reminded that there was more than just one Nicole," she added.
Nicole was the victim in the much-publicized Subic rape case in 2005, wherein US Marine Daniel Smith was convicted while three others were acquitted. Smith is detained at the United Estates Embassy as he asked the Philippine Court of Appeals to review his case.
The Subic rape case is considered a landmark case, being the first case of a conviction among over 3,000 cases filed against US service members in the Philippines.
Nagrampa said Gabriela would file a resolution in the House of Representatives urging the government to ban US troops from coming to Bicol.
The annual joint military exercises, which Philippine Army officials said would include humanitarian projects, would be staged in three Bicol provinces -- Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon--in April.
She added that if Balikatan would push through in Bicol, it might increase cases of women abuse, prostitution, and spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Earlier, Bishop Lucilo Quiambao of the Diocese of Legazpi expressed opposition to the coming of the US troops in Bicol, saying it might affect the moral condition of the people, especially women.
Nagrampa said that aside from the resolution to be filed in Congress, Gabriela would also step up its awareness campaign among women in areas covered by the exercises.
Tessa Lopez, spokesperson of Bayan-Bikol (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, New Patriotic Alliance), said a massive rally has been scheduled for January 22 expected to coincide with the reported arrival of US Ambassador Kristy Kenney to Bicol.
"This is to show the urgency and seriousness of our call against Balikatan and the long-debated Visiting Forces Agreement," she added.
A Sorsogon-wide group named "Sorsoganon United Movement Against Balikatan at Para sa Kapayapaan" or "Sumaba ka" (Speak out) was launched over the weekend to seek a stop to the planned Balikatan exercises in the Bicol region.
The group joined other people's organizations, human rights advocates, and the Catholic Church in Legazpi City, which already took a position opposed to the exercises, said Jocelyn Bisuna, spokesperson of the region-wide alliance called Ban Balikatan.
"We hope that other formations like these will be formed at the soonest time possible in other Bicol provinces so that we can show the US troops that we do not want them here and we have not forgotten our history," added Bisuna.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)