PNP forms special probe team on Abiad slay bid

By Vince Lopez, Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed a special probe team to look into Thursday’s shooting incident in Quezon City that left eight people, including a photojournalist wounded.

QUEZON City Mayor Joy Belmonte denounced the attack on Remate tabloid photojournalist Joshua Abiad in a broad daylight and called for a full investigation into the incident.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) also condemned the attack against a photojournalist and his family in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)

WEAVERS joined the chorus of condemnations against the latest attack on members of the press.

In a statement, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. has ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Quezon City Police District to expedite the investigation and identify the suspects in the shooting of Abiad, a photojournalist of newspaper Remate. Six of Abiad’s relatives and a bystander were also wounded in the incident.

“To ensure a thorough and efficient investigation, the Quezon City Police District created SITG (Special Investigation Task Group) which will meticulously gather evidence and testimonies. We are sparing no effort in our quest to gather substantial evidence and testimonies to shed light on this incident, ultimately leading to the immediate arrest of the perpetrators,” Maranan said.

He also said the PNP was collaborating with the victim’s family and colleagues in Remate newspaper to acquire any information to help in the investigation.

PROTEST MARCH. Militant groups marched from España Blvd. to Mendiola, Manila to air their grievances over various issues, notably high prices amid low wages. The demonstration marks President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first year in office. Norman Cruz

Army heightens relief operations at Mayon’s PDZ

ELEMENTS of the Army’s 9th Infantry “Spear” Division (9ID) continued to conduct humanitarian and disaster response (HADR) operations in collaboration with government agencies to bolster preparations for a worst case scenario on Mayon Volcano.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) reported that a very slow effusion of lava from the crater of Mayon Volcano continued, along with debris on the southern gullies.

The soldiers warned villagers within the 6-km radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) on the dangers of stronger volcanic activities, in coordination with the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO).

The troops provided transportation during the evacuation, as well as security assistance during a medical and dental mission among the evacuees.

They also assisted in transporting 430 sacks of rice from the National Food Authority Warehouse, along with relief goods from the Office of Municipal Welfare & Development.

THE steam-laden plumes from Mayon reached 2,500 meters on Friday, the Philvolcs reported.

The agency said the “very slow” effusion of lava flow from the crater along Mi-isi gully has extended to 2.23 kilometers from 2.1 kilometers during the past 24 hours.

It recorded two volcanic earthquakes over the volcano, which is higher compared to a tremor reported on Thursday.

There was a total of 284 rockfall events and seven dome-collapse pyroclastic density current (PDC) events. A similarly very slow effusion of lava flow from the crater was also observed along Bonga gully extending up to 1.3 kilometers. Vince Lopez, Rio N. Araja

Passengers’ comfort seen as STAR flights revamp at NAIA wraps up

THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Saturday completed its Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program with the transfer of Air Asia Philippines’ domestic flights to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 2, ending 12 years of operation in Terminal 4.

On Friday, Air Asia led by its chief executive officer Ricky Isla facilitated a walkthrough from Terminal 4 to Terminal 2. The initiative, in partnership with MIAA, was aimed at familiarizing passengers on the changes in terms of their travel experience at the airport. Isla and MIAA officer-in-charge

Bryan Co inspected the south wing entrance where about 20 check-in counters, all dressed up, are situated.

“Undeniably, NAIA Terminal 2 offers more amenities and levels up the customer experience. It is indeed a winning move for our guests as we aim to expand our route network, and provide Filipinos with a bet- ter alternative for air travel. Our guests can only expect the best from us,” Isla noted. Air Asia also prepared for other scenarios such as confusion among its guests who may not have looked at the preflight notification sent in advance as early as May via SMS and registered email address. Joel E. Zurbano

MWSS honors top planters of trees

THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Corporate Office (MWSS-CO) and the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) honored various institutional, corporate, civic and individual stakeholders of the Annual Million Trees Challenge (AMTC) on June 27 at the MWSS Multi-Purpose Gym. The event also marked the AMTC pledging session for 2023 commitments.

Now on its seventh year, the AMTC has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including 30 participating organizations, all united in the goal of protecting and rehabilitating the seven critical watersheds: Angat-Ipo, Kaliwa, La Mesa, Laguna Lake, Umiray, Upper Marikina, and Manila Bay.

MWSS Administrator Leonor Cleofas, in her welcome remarks, cited the relevance of the AMTC project started in 2017 by her predecessor, former MWSS C/Administrator retired Gen. Reynaldo Velasco who continues to pursue this noble advocacy through the Million Trees Foundation, Inc. (MTFI) where he now serves as chairman emeritus working along with MTFI president and executive director Melandrew Velasco.

“These watersheds are vital, supporting the water supply for Metro Manila and adjoining provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, and parts of Cavite. Despite the COVID pandemic, AMTC has made substantial progress. From 2017 to 2020, the campaign has contributed to the increase of the closed forest cover in these watersheds by 5,734 hectares. Furthermore, from 2017 to 2022, a total of 6,844,490 seedlings were planted, covering an area of 15,622 hectares,” Cleofas said.