A RETIRED Marine wanted on a murder case got into deeper
trouble on Tuesday after agents of the National Bureau of Investigation
discovered high-powered firearms and explosives in his house at the Baseco
Compound in Manila.
NBI director Nestor Mantaring said investigation by the
bureau’s Anti-Terrorism Division showed that former Marine Jugie Omandac, 45,
has been involved in various illegal activities including gun-running and
gun-for-hire operations in Port Area and Tondo in Manila, and inTaguig and
Cavite.
Omandac was allegedly the brain and financier in the killing
of one Ma. Aledia Gilbuena based on the claims of the triggerman himself who is
now detained at the Manila city jail.
ATD chief Romulo Asis said Omandac has also been using his
connections with former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to
maintain his crime network.
Prior surveillance confirmed his possession of guns,
explosives and ammunition but verification with the PNP Firearms and Explosives
Division showed that Omandac’s licenses/registration for one cal. 45 pistol and
an Elisco rifle have expired.
Seized from Omandac were two cal. 45 pistols; one 5.56 rifle;
one live grenade and several rounds of ammunition, all of which did not have the
proper documents.
Omandac will be charged with illegal possession of firearms,
ammunition and explosives/illegal manufacture of ammunition. His bail was set at
P280,000. – Evangeline C. de Vera
TO reduce motorcycle-related accidents along major roadways
in the metropolis, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will soon
require the compulsory use of daylight running lights for motorbikes.
MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando said local chief executives and
representatives of the 17 cities and component municipalities in the National
Capital Region agreed to issue a resolution on the matter after a meeting
yesterday. The Metro Manila Council also agreed to adopt a resolution
introducing a design rule of hard-wired and full beam daytime running lights for
motorcycle manufacturers.
"The motorcycle headlamps at nights is equally beneficial
during daytime to motorcycle riders in so far as road safety is concerned
because they allow riders to see the road and other vehicles while making the
motorcycle noticeable to other vehicles," said Fernando of the plan.
Fernando also called for the adoption of a motorcycle
conspicuity measures and a massive education campaign especially among young
riders due to the spate of road accidents involving motorcycles. Last year, 122
motorcycles were involved in fatal road accidents, the highest among all
vehicles. – Ashzel Hachero
THE body of one of two missing fisherman was recovered
yesterday in Binangonan, Rizal.
The cadaver of Roberto Arabit, who was declared missing after
the banca he was on with x other people, capsized at the Laguna de Bay in
Binangonan Rizal, was fished out early morning yesterday.
Another fisherman and Arabit’s neighbor, Antonio Mesa,
remains missing.
Senior Supt. Freddie Panen, Rizal police chief, said the
motorized banca being pilot by Nicomedes Mesa had eight passengers when it left
Sta. Rosa, Laguna for Talim Island in Binangonan. About 2,000 meters away from
Talim, the boat was believed to have been struck by a strong wave and began to
sink.
Those who survived the sinking were identified as Lorenzo
Ojacastro, Aquilina Era, Nenita Anain, Leonisa Mesa and two other still
unidentified passengers, all residents of Barangay Sapang, Binangonan, Rizal.
Police said the rest of the passengers swam separately to shore except for
Arabit and Mesa. – Christian Oineza
PNP files charges against Bacoor mayor
THE PNP yesterday filed criminal charges against Bacoor Mayor
Jessie Castillo and a number of his men for the Feb. 9 padlocking of the Bacoor
Municipal Police Station and for ordering its chief of police to return to him
the properties and equipment donated by the local government to the police
station.
Cavite Provincial Police director Senior Supt. Fidel Posadas
said that Castillo along with lawyer Robert San Jose, the municipal legal
officer; Roel Solete, the municipal administrator; and a certain Manny Loyola
were charged with sedition, grave coercion, abuse of authority, and violation of
the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for government officials and employes.
The charges were filed before the Imus Prosecutor’s Office.
Posadas said Bacoor chief of police Chief Insp. Alex Borja
was also charged with violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for
his failure to immediately act when Castillo ordered his precinct to be
padlocked.
Castillo ordered the closure of the Bacoor Police Station
after news broke that higher ups were going to replace Borja due to a pending
administrative case after he reportedly tore a page off the police blotter and
effected the release of three suspected drug peddlers.
Castillo had claimed that the move to replace Borja was done
by his political foes.
As a result, Interior Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno, who is also the National
Police Commission chairman, stripped Castillo of his deputation powers over the
local police. – Raymond Africa
