LEGAZPI: The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5) seized some PHP14 million worth of illegal drugs and nabbed 145 drug personalities from 119 drug operations conducted by different police units in the Bicol region in January this year.

In a report on Friday, PRO5 spokesperson Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib said the apprehended drug violators comprised of 113 street-level individuals, 19 high-value targets and 13 newly identified offenders.

On the other hand, the seized illegal drugs include 18.86 grams of marijuana and 2,061.31 grams of shabu.

‘At least 135 cases have been filed against the suspects,’ Calubaquib said.

Meanwhile, authorities seized 17 bricks of dried marijuana leaves along with 30 grams of shabu, and arrested two suspects in a buy-bust operation in Zone 3, Nakar St., Barangay San Isidro, Iriga City on Feb. 1.

Calubaquib said the 17 marijuana bricks have an estimated value of PHP2.04 million while the 30 grams of shabu was valued at PHP204,000 — or a cumulative value of PHP2.2 million.

The a
rrested suspects were identified by the aliases ‘Ren,’ 45, and ‘Joe,’ 43, both residents of Calamba, Laguna.

Calubaquib said the arrested individuals and the seized pieces of evidence were promptly brought to the Iriga City Police Station for proper handling and disposition, while cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 are being processed against the suspects.

RA 9165 is known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

She said PRO5, under the leadership of regional director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon, remains steadfast in its pursuit of a drug-free environment, and in ensuring the safety and security of all citizens in the Bicol region.

‘PRO5 will continue to combat various forms of criminality, particularly the fight against illegal drugs,’ Calubaquib added.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Civil Service Commission (CSC) does not endorse any review material or review center for the Career Service Examination (CSE).

In a statement, CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles warned the public against review centers, groups, and private individuals using the name, logo, and website of the CSC, or claiming to be endorsed by the commission in offering online and face-to-face review classes for the CSE Professional and Subprofessional Levels.

He also reminded examinees to be cautious of review materials being sold in bookstores, on social media channels, and online selling platforms, claiming to be reproductions of the actual examinations previously administered by the CSC.

‘Sa tuwing nalalapit ang civil service exam, talagang naglalabasan ang mga review centers and reviewers na nag-aalok umano ng tutorials sa murang halaga (Whenever the civil service exams near, many review centers and reviewers emerge, offering tutorials for a low price). We are once again reminding the public that the CSC does n
ot prescribe, accredit, or endorse any form of review classes nor do we produce or disseminate any review materials for the CSE. Enrollment in review centers and purchase of these products are the sole discretion of applicants,’ Nograles said.

He issued the warning with the Career Service Examination – Pen and Paper Test that will be held on March 3.

Under Republic Act 9416 or the Anti-Cheating Law, the unauthorized possession of, and/or unauthorized use, reproduction, and/or dissemination in any form of, examination materials, in whole or in part, by an individual, either private or government employee, group or review center, from an unauthorized source, shall be considered an act of cheating.

Any person who commits the prohibited act may be meted with the penalty of imprisonment of six to 12 years, and a fine of not less PHP50,000.

For this purpose, the following acts are prohibited: copying of examination questions; tearing any page of the test booklet; bringing home the test booklet or any page there
of; and similar instances, such as the possession of test booklets by review centers.

The CSC reminds the public that violations of such provisions may be reported to the CSC Contact Center ng Bayan through SMS at 0908-881-6565 or through email at email@contactcenterngbayan.gov.ph.

Reports may also be sent to the CSC Examination, Recruitment, and Placement Office through telephone nos. 8951-2578 and 8931-8163 or via email at erpo.ead@csc.gov.ph.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CAGAYAN DE ORO: The Department of Science and Technology in the Northern Mindanao region (DOST-10) is keen on boosting the dairy production industry in Bukidnon through product and technology enhancements.

In a statement on Friday, DOST-10 science specialist Judelin Cabugwas noted that there are continuing developments in dairy processing in Malaybalay City, which is the capital of the province.

“Ongoing product development and innovation are being conducted, and a product launching event will later introduce the dairy milk products formally,” he said.

Since last year, DOST-10 has conducted a series of food safety training and implemented various science and technology interventions to promote sustainability in the dairy industry.

At least 64 farmer cooperatives have been given training so far in basic dairy product handling, food safety hazards, and good manufacturing practices, Cabugwas said.

Malaybalay City’s Agriculture Officer-in-Charge Richard Leono said DOST’s series of food safety training is the
first step towards realizing a modern dairy processing facility in their local government unit.

Source: Philippines News Agency

COTABATO: The chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), has called on all Bangsamoro to help protect the gains of the Mindanao peace processes.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim issued the statement Friday amid calls by former President Duterte for a separate Mindanao.

‘We remain grateful for and acknowledge the significant contributions made by past and present Presidents of the Philippines in arriving at the peaceful settlement of the Bangsamoro Question,’ Ebrahim said.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), also led by Ebrahim, has agreed to an autonomy setup that is acceptable to the Bangsamoro people instead of the original demand for independence.

‘We, therefore, urge everyone to help protect the gains of the peace processes. Let us continue to support the current administration and allow peace and civility to reign over the affairs of our land,’ he said.

Ebrahim also said he stands firmly on adhering to the faithful implementation of the Comprehensiv
e Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) provisions toward the right to self-determination.

‘Underlying the CAB is the recognition of the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and the aspiration to chart our political future through a democratic process that will secure our identity and posterity and allow for meaningful self-governance,’ he said.

Meanwhile, a BARMM regional lawmaker also believed that the separation of Mindanao from Luzon and the Visayas is not as realistic as in the past.

Omar Yasser Sema, the deputy speaker of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and a member of the Moro National Liberation Front, which has also agreed to a peace deal for autonomy with the Philippine government, said that former separatists who were once fighting for the independence of Mindanao have now shifted their focus toward autonomy.

‘Separation of Mindanao is not the solution to our current problem,’ he told reporters when asked to comment on calls for separation of Mindanao.

Source: P
hilippines News Agency

OVIEDO: For the first time, the government of Catalonia declared a drought emergency, announcing on Thursday new restrictions that will affect around 5.9 million people.

‘It is the worst drought on record,’ Catalan President Pere Aragones told a press conference. ‘Climate change is testing us like the pandemic.’

The reservoirs that provide water to around 80 percent of the Catalan population are just 15.8 percent full, after a prolonged drought and a recent abnormal dry spell.

The Catalan authorities said they may need to bring in drinking water by boat before the summer, something also seen in 2008.

The city and province of Barcelona, the city of Girona, and most of the surrounding area, as well as much of the Costa Brava, are entering an emergency phase and will have to cope with new restrictions from Friday.

‘I am absolutely convinced that with collaboration, anticipation, and a huge collective effort, we can overcome this drought,’ said Aragones.

The emergency declaration aims to limit water consump
tion to 200 liters (52 gallons) of water per capita, a figure that includes economic and commercial activities.

Any municipality that exceeds the water consumption cap will have to reduce the water pressure or cut off water for certain hours each day. If not, they will face fines from the regional government.

Prohibitions on use

At the moment, the City of Barcelona consumes 173 liters of water per day, so it will avoid being forced to impose water cuts for now. But, as reservoirs dry up, new emergency phases will be enacted, lowering caps to 180 liters per day and then 160 liters per day.

Economic sectors will already be hit with water cuts regardless. Agricultural activities will have to reduce water use by 80 percent (50% for livestock) and industry will see water cuts of 25 percent.

Filling most swimming pools will also be forbidden unless the establishments use salt water and aren’t connected to the public system or if the pools are used for sports and can show responsible water use or have recircula
tion systems in place.

Ornamental lakes, fountains, or other ‘aesthetic uses’ of water will also be illegal unless they are used to protect specific species of animals.

Watering gardens with drinking water has already been banned for months, as the areas already had ‘pre-emergency’ restrictions in place.

One exception has been the watering of trees or historic gardens to ensure they stay alive. However, if the emergency reaches phase three, only special trees will be deemed worthy of the scarce water.

New projects that will require intensive water usage such as new farms, urban plans, or tourism projects will also be banned as well.

Besides the lack of rain, last year was the hottest year on record for Catalonia, further pulling moisture from the land.

In Barcelona, this past January was also 2.2°C (4°F) warmer than the average month, smashing all records since record-keeping began in 1914, according to the Fabra Observatory. The hottest day reached 21.2°C (70.16°F).

Looking ahead to next week’s foreca
st, not a drop of rain is expected for Barcelona either, according to the Spanish meteorological agency Aemet.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Authorities nabbed four suspects in the burning of a modern jeepney in Quezon province.

In a report on Friday, Lt. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento, director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Area Police Command-Southern Luzon (APC-SL), said the suspects Ernesto Orcine, Noel Mariano, Dominic Ramos, and Jade Francis Castro, were arrested in a follow-up operation in Mulanay, Quezon on Thursday.

The police launched the operation after receiving information that the suspects were staying at a resort in Barangay Butanyog in Mulanay town.

The suspects were also identified by the driver, bus conductor, and one of the passengers, Armamento said.

Initial investigation showed the modern jeepney, which is owned by Gumaca Transport, was pulled over by four men wearing bonnets in Barangay Dahican, Catanauan, Quezon on Wednesday night.

The suspects ordered the driver and the passengers to disembark and then hurled a Molotov bomb into the vehicle.

The suspects are detained at the Catanauan Municipal Police Stati
on and would face charges of arson.

Source: Philippines News Agency