Nation

3 women nabbed in P4.76-M drug bust Romina Cabrera (The Philippine Star) - May 21, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Three women were arrested in a drug sting in Taguig City on Sunday afternoon. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives seized around 700 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with a street value of P4.76 million, stashed in tea bags, from Rosnia Minalang Cauntongan, Junaila Alilang Maruhom and Lina Ahmad Grande at a house on Maisu street in Barangay Maharlika. PDEA Special Enforcement Service chief Levi Ortiz said they were initially transacting with a certain Stoleen Dimapuro but the three women showed up in her place. The PDEA official added that the appearance of the tea bags is similar to that of the illegal drugs seized at a warehouse in Alabang, Muntinlupa in March. Ortiz said they suspect the illegal drugs were smuggled into the country and distributed locally. … [Read more...] about 3 women nabbed in P4.76-M drug bust

Vico Sotto won't be joining PDP-Laban (Philstar.com) - May 20, 2019 - 11:58am MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor-elect Vico Sotto Monday said he would stick with his local party and would not be joining the ruling PDP-Laban of President Rodrigo Duterte. “I think I’ll stay with my party. I’d rather be in a small party,” Sotto told ANC’s “Headstart.” The young politician,  who had just toppled a nearly three-decades-long reign of the Eusebios in Pasig City, is a member of Aksyon Demokratiko party which is focused on local government. Sotto, however, stressed that if there are national programs that the president is pushing and are good, they “will support” as his party-mate Roman Romulo, who won the city's congressional race, noted that Duterte’s support helped them win their election bid. “We don’t need to be in the same … [Read more...] about Vico Sotto won’t be joining PDP-Laban

34 hurt as LRT-2 trains collide Ghio Ong, Romina Cabrera (The Philippine Star) - May 20, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — Two trains of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) collided on Saturday night, leaving at least 34 people injured. Reports said a defective train crashed into a passenger train on the eastbound tracks between Cubao and Anonas stations in Quezon City at around 9:50 p.m. Authorities said the victims include 30 commuters and four LRT-2 personnel. Police said the malfunctioning train had been parked along the pocket track or emergency lane. It was supposed to be towed toward the depot after operational hours. Probers said the traffic division of the LRT-2 prompted the emergency brakes of the defective train, which had no power supply. This caused the train to move from the pocket track to the main track of the railway and crash into a train going to Cubao station. The impact caused injuries to Irvin … [Read more...] about 34 hurt as LRT-2 trains collide

NCRPO, PDEA to join Brigada Eskwela Non Alquitran (The Philippine Star) - May 20, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will help repair classrooms in Metro Manila this week in preparation for the school opening on June 3, an official said yesterday. NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the five police districts in the metropolis would participate in the Department of Education’s “Brigada Eskwela.” The program brings together teachers, parents, non-government organizations and other stakeholders in repairing public schools for the opening of classes. The NCRPO will be on heightened alert during the school opening. Eleazar said they would increase police visibility near schools and the streets to thwart criminals, especially pickpockets and snatchers. He said police assistance desks would be set up in schools and universities in Metro Manila to … [Read more...] about NCRPO, PDEA to join Brigada Eskwela

Neophyte wins Rizal congressional seat (The Philippine Star) - May 20, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — A neophyte politician has won the congressional race in the second district of Rizal. Fidel Nograles of the NPC-PDP Laban coalition beat Maridee Rodriguez, wife of incumbent Rep. Jun Rodriguez. Nograles garnered 210,710 votes. Rodriguez had 137,567.  During his proclamation, Nograles  said he worked hard for every vote he obtained. He said there was no “magic” involved in his victory over the powerful Rodriguez clan. “No magic formula for me. I just talked to the residents of Rizal, who shared their problems regarding basic living conditions. I told them I would try to help,” he said. Nograles, one of the youngest lawmakers in the incoming Congress, said he would work hard for the redistricting of the second district. The district is composed of the towns of Baras, Cardona, … [Read more...] about Neophyte wins Rizal congressional seat