IN BRIEF

Cops nab suspect, seize P1.8m in illegal drugs

Subsequent rankings saw Reps. Carmelo “Lazatin ll of Pampanga and Geraldine Roman of Bataan in the 4th position, with 83.8 percent and 83.5 percent, respectively.

Reps. Albert Garcia of Bataan, Ditse Tina Pancho of Bulacan, and Rossana Vergara of Nueva Ecija all tied for fifth place with 81.9 percent, 81.7 percent, and 81.5 percent, respectively.

The RP Mission and Development Foundation Inc. (RPMD) conducts the nationwide “Boses ng Bayan” survey, which includes the “Public Satisfaction Survey for the House of Representatives” in the Central Luzon Region. Carried out between June 25 and July 5, 2023, the survey encompassed all districts across every region of the nation.

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) operatives seized P1.8 million worth of suspected “shabu” and arrested a suspect during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Boloc-boloc, Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on Sunday.

The suspect, identified as Ian Rey Derama Completo, 42, a resident of Villa Pastoral in Barangay Batinguel, was arrested after he allegedly sold shabu to an undercover PNP operative.

Police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar, deputy chief of the Police Community Affairs and Development Unit (PCADU) of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), on Monday said that Completo yielded more or less 265 grams of suspected shabu valued at P1.8 million.

“The suspect is a high-value individual in the police’s list of drug personalities and has been under close surveillance for months now,” Polinar said.

“A complaint for violation of Sec. 5 (possession) and Sec. 11 (sale) of illegal drugs of Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act was filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office against the suspect,” he added.

Polinar said the arrest of the drug suspect comes amid ongoing massive synchronized police operations in the province against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.

The weekend operation was conducted jointly by the Sibulan police, the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and the Provincial Intelligence Unit of NOPPO and in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the province, said Sibulan police chief, Police Major Ricky Dacotdacot. Vince Lopez CAAP hails staff who returned wallet with cash

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday commended the honesty and integrity demonstrated by an employee at Cauayan Airport after he turned over a wallet containing more than P78,000 and US dollar bills.

The honesty of Alexander Nuñez, an employee of the Maintenance Section at CAAP Cauayan Airport, was tested when he discovered a lost wallet at the airport’s vehicle parking area around 10:55 a.m. on August 13. He quickly turned over the wallet to the Lost and Found Section of the Cauayan Airport’s CAAP Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS).

Upon inspection, the wallet was found to contain a substantial amount of P78,595 along with assorted US dollar notes.

A certain “Ms. Dela Cruz,” the owner of the misplaced wallet, approached the CSIS Office in search of her lost item. After verification, the CSIS successfully returned the wallet to its rightful owner.

This is not the first time that Nuñez has displayed such remarkable integrity. He was previously recognized by the CAAP management for his honesty when he returned another lost and found item back in July.

CAAP officials said the consistent actions of the man reflect a pattern of behavior that goes above and beyond the call of duty, setting a shining example for his colleagues and the community at large.

“We salute Mr. Nuñez for his incredible acts of honesty. My hope is for his acts to inspire the rest of the CAAP community,” said CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo.

CAAP takes immense pride in employees like Nuñez, who uphold the principles of honesty and integrity that are essential to maintaining a strong and trustworthy aviation environment. Joel E. Zurbano

“Last week, heavy rain triggered floods and caused traffic congestion in several parts of Metro Manila, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Intense heat caused by El Niño can also result in increased rainfall,” he said. “There will be rain in Metro Manila and other areas due to the phenomenon’s weakened state even as rainfall patterns likewise depend on our geographical location.”

During an El Niño episode, warmer ocean temperatures lead to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns that enhance the development of low-pressure systems and the formation of atmospheric moisture, resulting in more precipitation, dela Cruz said.

In Bataan meanwhile, Senator Win Gatchalian underscored the need for the government to undertake an effective flood control program that would shield communities from the damaging impact of climate change.

“Due to the adverse impact of climate change on our communities, the government needs to provide adequate flood control structures that would provide vulnerable areas with ample protection from the devastating impact of floods,” said Gatchalian during the ceremonial turnover here of rice to the province of Bataan on Sunday morning.

Aside from Bataan, the senator also visited Pangasinan, Bulacan, and Pampanga to check the devastation of the recent typhoons and distributed P8.5 million worth of rice to typhoon victims in affected areas in Luzon.

Several towns and municipalities across Pangasinan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan have been declared under a state of calamity in the wake of typhoons Egay and Falcon.

The senator said P5.2 million worth of rice was distributed in Malolos, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Balagtas, Paombong, Obando, San Miguel, Guiguinto, Pandi, and Plaridel in Bulacan.

Gatchalian’s call on climate change coincides with the President’s pronouncement that the national government has a master plan to swiftly address climate change, including the construction of a big water dam for flood prevention and agricultural enhancement. Butch Gunio

(MS-AUGUST 15, 2023)