To track down Degamo murder suspects, including Rep. Teves

n ByVince Lopez

THE Department of Justice is looking at placing the suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo under Interpol lookout, including Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. who the DOJ said is “one of those...suspected to be the mastermind.”

“We are not closing the doors to anybody. He is among those we are looking at because as the President has said, the assassination was political. In no uncertain terms, the President said this is political so obviously the political rival of Governor Degamo –Congressman Arnie Teves – and he is one of those that we are suspecting to be the mastermind behind the Degamo slay,” DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said.

“Although we have to be careful because everyone has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. We cannot condemn and we have to let the wheels of justice turn. We cannot convict through the media,” he added.

He said there are still five suspects at large and 12 John Does in the case.

“We have taken concrete steps to come up with an international lookout bulletin. We are also discussing about putting them under the Interpol’s Blue Notice,” Clavano said.

A Blue Notice under Interpol allows Philippine authorities to place the suspects under monitoring and collect information on their whereabouts and activities when they travel abroad. Teves has yet to return from an overseas trip. He earlier asked House Speaker Martin Romualdez for a two-month leave of absence starting March 9, citing a grave security threat to his life and that of his family. The request was denied.

Remote deep-sea vehicle to detect spot of oil tanker

THE owner of the sunken MT Princess Empress said a remote operated underwater vehicle and its mother vessel will arrive on Monday to help locate the tanker.

In a statement, the RDC Reield Marine Services said their oil spill response is growing and evolving after getting advice from independent international oil spill expert International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation Limited (ITOPF).

The company said ROV “Hakuyo” is now en route from Japan onboard the workboat Shin Nichi Maru. French oil spill response company

Le Floch Depollution (LFD) and local oil spill response contractors have also established operation bases in both Pola, Oriental Mindoro and Semirara Island.

The sunken vessel is thought to be at a depth of 400 meters in an area approximately 15 kilometers northeast of Oriental Mindoro.

“We remain committed to the oil spill response and will continue to work closely with the Philippine government, the Philippine Coast Guard, local government representatives, international oil spill experts and contracted responders to ensure a unified approach,” RDC Reield Marine Services said.

For his part, Oriental Mindoro Gov. Bonz Dolor said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has extended the implementation of its cash assistance program to affected municipalities in the province to one month.

“Our cash-for-work program will now last 45 days instead of just 15 days,” Dolor said.

WINNING TEAM. Minxie Romualdez (center) of the Blue team battle for ball possession against Alfie Araneta (left) and Fin Cue of the White team during the Manila Standard Cup at the Enrique Zobel Field in Makati City Saturday afternoon.The Blue team emerged victorious. Inset photo shows Polo and Equestrian Directorate Chairman Anthony Filamor (right) and Vice Chairman Polo and Equestrian Directorate Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (2nd from right) together with (from left) Gregorio Gelosi, Carla Flores, Isabela Albert and Minxie. Ver Noveno

Over 7k security forces out in NCR during Holy Week

n ByJoel E. Zurbano

THE National Capital Region Police Office is taking extra measures to ensure public safety in Metro Manila during the observance of Holy Week, including the deployment of over 7,000 security personnel.

Metro Manila police director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo said he is sending 4,690 of his men to streets and vital installations in the capital to conduct anti-criminality operations, traffic management, direction and control, and other related police public safety services. The NCRPO is also in close coordination with other government agencies for additional support personnel.

“Deployment has been set to a total of 7,738 security forces including those coming from Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA),

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Special Action Force, Regional Highway Patrol Unit (RHPU), Regional Maritime Unit (RMU), and Aviation Security Group,” Okubo said.

The NCRPO and concerned agencies will increase patrols of crime hotspots, including places of convergence like malls, churches, recreational areas, tourist destinations and areas of transport services.