Cebu local news (daily update)

[cobraKing]

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'Mikamang' sa asawa sa higala gipatay

CEBU, [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Philippines[/COLOR][/COLOR] - Giunay og patay sa iyang higala ang usa ka mananagat nga iyang gipasanginlan nga nangamang sa iyang asawa samtang ang biktima didto nakatulog sa ilang pinuy-anan tungod sa kahubog sa sitio Dunggoan barangay Cawayan sa lungsod sa Dalaguete niadtong Miyerkules sa alas 3:30 sa hapon.
Ang biktima mao si Richard Beltran, 26, molupyo sa sitio Biasong barangay Lanao, Dalaguete samtang ang suspek mao si Ericson Carin Acedo, 41, nagpuyo sa maong lugar ug higala sa biktima.
Matud ni PO2 Godofredo Glipa sa Dalaguete Police Station dihang nahinabi sa Banat News mibutyag nga pwerteng huboga sa biktima human makig-inom sa suspek maong diha na kini pakatulga sa balay sa naulahi.
Apan nianang pagkabuntag napalgang patay na ug may samad dinunggaban sa liog ang biktima nga nag-ubo sa iyang gihigdaan.
Subay sa gihimong dugang pakisusi sa kapulisan gikan sa asawa sa suspek kansang pangalan wala makuha sa kapolisan nga nag-selos ang iyang bana human niya tug-ani nga gikamang siya sa biktima nianang sayo sa buntag samtang natulog pa ang suspek.
Sa paghimo ning balita padayun pa ang hot pursuit operation sa kapulisan pagsikop sa suspek nga daling nakasibat pahilayo human sa hitabo.


Mga ginikanan maoy i-curfew

CEBU, Philippines - Supak si Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama sa gisugyot nga curfew sa mga batan-on sa siyudad sa Sugbu ug misugyot nga inay mga bata, ang mga ginikanan maoy angayang ipa-curfew.
Si Rama sa interbyu sa DyRF nga ang mga ginikanan maoy nagpabaya sa kabataan nga maglaroylaroy sa tungang kagabhion nga maduhig pagsulod sa mga gangs ug malambigit sa krimen.
Matud pa ni Rama nga dili angayang i-curfew ang mga kabataan kun ang mga ginikanan nagpakabana pa sa kaugmaon sa ilang mga anak.
“Ang gipangita sa bata nga pangitaon sa curfew mao ang mga ginikanan. Mao bitaw nang (nakapangutana ta) nganong i-curfew ang mga bata nga ang mohatag unta nianang gitawag og restriction (mao ang) ginikanan man. Nganong dili man nato tagaag curfew ang mga ginikanan aron ang mga ginikanan mouli og sayo ug dili magsige og madyong,” sigon pa ni Rama.
Si Rama nagkanayon nga dako kaayo og epekto sa negosyo dinhi sa siyudad sa Sugbu ang pagpatuman sa curfew dinhi sa siyudad tungod kay sagad sa mga customers sa mga dagkong mga kalihukan sa kagabhion mao man ang mga batan-on sama sa disko ug uban pa.
Dugang pa sa mayor nga alang kaniya nga igo na kaayo ang mga paghahigayon og checkpoints sa kapolisan aron pagsanta sa mga kriminalidad sa siyudad.

Sakop sa tau 'sikop
CEBU, [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Philippines[/COLOR][/COLOR] - Nasikop sa mga sakop sa Field Training Police ang usa ka sakop sa Tau Gamma Phi nga naghupot og armas samtang anaa kini sa palibot sa mall sa Basak dakbayan sa Lapulapu sa milabay’ng gabii.
Ang nasikop mao si Aguinaldo Opsimar alyas Diablo, 20, residente sa barangay Agus dakbayan sa Lapulapu human nakuhaan og .38 kalibreng rebolber nga may tulo ka buhing bala niadtong alas 9:30 sa milabay’ng gabii.
Ang suspek adunay kaestorya sa gawas nga bahin sa usa ka dakong mall sa Basak dihang nasigpatan sa duha ka mga sakop sa FTP nga aduna kini armas sulod sa bag niini apan misiwil ang puloan.
Gumikan niini gisita kini sa kapolisan ug sa dihang wala kini gipakitang papeles paghupot niini gisikop siya ug gidala sa buhatan sa kapolisan.
Kasong kalapasan sa RA 8294 kon paghupot og armas nga illegal ang ipasaka sa kapolisan batok ni Opsimar.

Tinun-an sa criminology gikulata sakop sa PDEA-7
CEBU, Philippines - Usa ka tinun-an sa kursong criminology mireklamong gikulata sa ahente sa Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) sulod sa tunghaan ug pagkahuman gipabilanggo kini sa Carbon Police Station.
Si Edgardo Martinez, 20, nagpuyo sa barangay Labangon, lumad nga taga Baliangao, Mizamiz Occidental ug 2nd year [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]student[/COLOR][/COLOR]
sa kursong criminology sa University of Cebu (UC) mireklamo batok kang Agent 3 Mark Maramba sa PDEA-7.
Si Martinez nga miatubang kagahapon sa mga tigbalita misaysay nga niadtong Agosto 4 sa hapon pasado alas 4:30 paingon siya sa kasilyas sa maong tunghaan aron pagtubag sa sugo sa lawas.
Matud niya nga gisita siya sa usa ka intern sa criminology nga wala niya mailhi ang ngalan ug giingnan siyang tangtangon ang iyang ariyos sa iyang walang dunggan. Sa dihang iya nang nakuha ang ariyos, embarguhon unta iyang school ID, apan niya kini ihatag sa intern.
Tungod niadto, gituok siya sa intern ug gidala sulod sa intern office ug gipahibalo si Maramba.
Dugang pasangil ni Martinez nga sa dihang naabot si Maramba sa opisina, gisukmag dayon siya sa ulo niini, dayon giyakyatakan samtang nahagba na siya sa salog dayon miingon si Maramba “Wa ka kaila nako taga PDEA ko, ako pa jud imo gikakontra, commandant ko diri.”
Gihulga pa siyang ipa-expel ni Maramba samtang kini nagkasa-kasa sa iyang armas.
Iya usab gitug-an nga wala gyud siya malambigit o mag-apil-apil sa fraternity o gang.


Si Martinez nagkanayon nga gikuha ang iyang cellphone ug hangtod karon wala i-uli. Wala hinuon makahibalo si Martinez kinsa ang mikuha sa iyang cellphone sanglit niadtong higayona tulo ka intern sulod sa opisina ug ika-upat si Maramba.
Dugang pasangil ni Martinez nga si Maramba mitawag og polis sa Carbon Police Station ug didto siya gibilanggo sulod sa tulo ka adlaw ug tulo ka gabii human siya gikasohan ni Maramba og direct assault nga maoy hinungdan nga nadala gyud siya sa Cebu City Jail diin nabilanggo siya didto og tulo ka adlaw ug upat ka gabii.
Nakagawas siya sa Cebu City Jail niadtong Agosto 11 sa alas 2 sa hapon human siya gipiyansahan og P12 mil sa iyang igsuon. Si Martinez nagpa-blotter kagahapon sa udto sa buhatan sa City Investigation and Detective Management Branch (CIDMB) sanglit nahadlok siya sa iyang seguridad human siya bahari ni Maramba.
Si Martinez miingong mopasaka gyud siya og kaso batok kang Maramba aron wala nay laing estudyante nga masusama unya ang nadangatan kaniya. Si Atty. Mauro Licen, deputy regional director sa PDEA-7 namayahag nga ilang ipaubos sa imbestigasyon si Maramba ug kun mamatud-ang nakahimo kini og kalapasan ilang iduso ang resulta sa PDEA-Manila.
Matud ni Licen ang paggamit ni Maramba sa ngalan sa ilang ahensya dili nila i-tolerate. Si Maramba nga kuhaan unta og reaksyon labot sa pasangil apan napakyas ang mga sakop sa media kay matud pa sa iyang mga kauban mitambong kini og court hearing kagahapon sa lungsod sa Oslob.
Apan nagpadala og text message sa usa sa mga reporter si Maramba nga nagkanayon “Naa pa ko hearing. Text lang ko. Ambot ngano inyong gidaginot.”
Laing text nga gipadala ni Maramba “what assurance imong mahatag nga dili mo biased? Kay murag lingaw kaayo mo segig duot nako. Inamigo ni nga hangyo kay dugay man kaha ta kuyog simbahan.

Joavan wa motambong sa hearing
CEBU, Philippines - Si Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Mario Manayon sa Talisay gikatakdang mo-isyu og bench warrant batok sa sinagop ni Mayor Socrates Fernandez nga si Joavan tungod sa wala niini pagtunga sa pre-trial conference kagahapon sa buntag sa kasong grave threat nga gipasaka batok kaniya sa registered nurse nga si Vincent Castrodes.
Ang kampo lang ni Castrodes ug SPO1 Ricardo Balbutin ang mitambong sa pre-trial.
Si Piskal Floralil Lucero-Albert misugyot pinaagi sa mosyon kang Manayon nga moluwat og bench warrant batok kang Joavan aron pugson kini pagpatunga. Giaprobahan ni Manayon ang mosyon.
Si Castrodes nga nahinabi sa mga tigbalita kagahapon nagkanayon nga gi-wave ni Joavan ang iyang katungod sa pre-trial ug nalipay siya nga giaprobahan sa huwes ang bench warrant nga gisugyot sa public prosecutor.
Karong Septiyembre 23, 2010 sa buntag gikatakda ang hearing sa maong kaso.
Si Joavan nga nahinabi sa Banat News kagahapon nagkanayon nga wala siya makahibalo nga duna ba diay schedule sa pre-trial ug wala pa usab siya magka-estorya sa ang iyang abogado.
Matud niini nga atua siya sa Dumaguete tungod kay nag-atiman siya sa iyang negosyo.
Si Joavan midugang nga estoryahon dayon niya ang iyang abogado kabahin sa maong problema.


Si Talisay City Prosecutor Marshal Rubia nga nahinabi sa mga tigbalita mipasabot nga sa pre-trial hisgutan o sabotan sa duha ka habig kun unsay tukiong mga isyu ug ipresentar nga mga ebidensiya atol sa trial aron dili yagaw ang pagpahigayon sa hearing sa kaso.
Kahinumduman usab nga si Castrodes mibutyag nga dili siya makighusay kang Joavan ug buot niyang mapasaka ngadto sa Korte ang kaso nga iyang gipasaka batok sa sinagop sa mayor.
Ang maong kaso nagsugod sa dihang si Joavan ug Castrodes nagka-engkwentro sa trapiko diha sa barangay Bulacao, Talisay.
Si Joavan gipasanginlan ni Castrodes nga nanion ngadto kaniya og pistola apan ang maong pasangil gihimakak ni Joavan.

[pepponeskie]

Joavan wa motambong sa hearing
CEBU, Philippines - Si Municipal Trial Court in Cities Judge Mario Manayon sa Talisay gikatakdang mo-isyu og bench warrant batok sa sinagop ni Mayor Socrates Fernandez nga si Joavan tungod sa wala niini pagtunga sa pre-trial conference kagahapon sa buntag sa kasong grave threat nga gipasaka batok kaniya sa registered nurse nga si Vincent Castrodes.
Ang kampo lang ni Castrodes ug SPO1 Ricardo Balbutin ang mitambong sa pre-trial.
Si Piskal Floralil Lucero-Albert misugyot pinaagi sa mosyon kang Manayon nga moluwat og bench warrant batok kang Joavan aron pugson kini pagpatunga. Giaprobahan ni Manayon ang mosyon.
Si Castrodes nga nahinabi sa mga tigbalita kagahapon nagkanayon nga gi-wave ni Joavan ang iyang katungod sa pre-trial ug nalipay siya nga giaprobahan sa huwes ang bench warrant nga gisugyot sa public prosecutor.
Karong Septiyembre 23, 2010 sa buntag gikatakda ang hearing sa maong kaso.
Si Joavan nga nahinabi sa Banat News kagahapon nagkanayon nga wala siya makahibalo nga duna ba diay schedule sa pre-trial ug wala pa usab siya magka-estorya sa ang iyang abogado.
Matud niini nga atua siya sa Dumaguete tungod kay nag-atiman siya sa iyang negosyo.
Si Joavan midugang nga estoryahon dayon niya ang iyang abogado kabahin sa maong problema.


Si Talisay City Prosecutor Marshal Rubia nga nahinabi sa mga tigbalita mipasabot nga sa pre-trial hisgutan o sabotan sa duha ka habig kun unsay tukiong mga isyu ug ipresentar nga mga ebidensiya atol sa trial aron dili yagaw ang pagpahigayon sa hearing sa kaso.
Kahinumduman usab nga si Castrodes mibutyag nga dili siya makighusay kang Joavan ug buot niyang mapasaka ngadto sa Korte ang kaso nga iyang gipasaka batok sa sinagop sa mayor.
Ang maong kaso nagsugod sa dihang si Joavan ug Castrodes nagka-engkwentro sa trapiko diha sa barangay Bulacao, Talisay.
Si Joavan gipasanginlan ni Castrodes nga nanion ngadto kaniya og pistola apan ang maong pasangil gihimakak ni Joavan.

daghanang sumangil aning joavan oi...mao nalang unta ni ang gi torture...

[cobraKing]

daghanang sumangil aning joavan oi...mao nalang unta ni ang gi torture...

nice idea sir..

[cobraKing]

-------------------------------------Aug. 21,2010-------------------------------------

No need for new ordinance: Lingam banned by existing laws

CEBU, Philippines – There has been so much talk about the controversial lingam massage and in a public hearing at the Cebu City Council yesterday, the head of the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board said that futher discussion is not necessary.
CAIB chairwoman Dr. Lucille Mercado said that the controversial lingam massage parlors are prohibited under existing laws.
Mercado said that when the board revisited the existing city ordinance, lingam massage falls under Section 6, paragraph (f) of City Ordinance 1408, which defines ***-ual act as acts of masturbation, sexual intercourse, deliberate physical contact with persons covered or exposed genitals, public area of buttocks.
Mercado said that during the public hearing, the [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]doctors[/COLOR][/COLOR] themselves admitted that lingam is a form of masturbation though such carries therapeutic effects.
"The legality of lingam should not be discussed because the issue here is whether it is a form of prostitution or not," she said.
Mercado said that prostitution is defined as engagement in sexual acts in exchange for payment.
Therefore, lingam being considered a safe form of *** which men avail in exchange for a certain fees is considered a form of prostitution.
"Ang issue sab sa side of women, even if they get compensation for the job, I think they are receiving P400 for every service, it is a big slap to the women's dignity when you subject her to touch a man's private part," Mercado added.
Mercado said that the existing ordinance just need to be updated so it can state in black and white that lingam massage violates the city's anti-indecency laws.
"The ordinance needs some updating. We will create our recommendation to the council to include in the ordinance the ban of all forms of massage on the reproduc-tive organ," she said.
She understands that the existing law was created in 1991 when lingam wasn't popular yet in the county.
She said that the need to update the law is imperative because there are now new forms of pornography and prostitution.


Next week, CAIB will inspect beer houses, clubs, theaters and other similar establishments to check if they have private rooms where prostitution or private shows are done.
Mercado said that they will send proper notices to the establishments because they do not intend to make business difficult for them, but they would like to remind or inform them that there is an existing ordinance on anti-indecency.

Public Hearing

In the public hearing yesterday, medical and health officials said that the controversial lingam massage, which includes massaging the testicles, perineum and the pros-tate, has no therapeutic value.
The public hearing was held in relation to the proposal to regulate such form of massage and limit it to medical clinics that are accredited by government.
Department of Health operations officer Jocelyn Abellana and Lohindrin Adorable, rehabilitation specialist of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, both said that there are no medical and scientific studies to prove such claim of curing prostate problems.
Abellana said that men with erectile dysfunction better seek medical help.
"It has no role in prevention, but it only helps the problem of impotence. The problem here, it can be a front to prostitution if not properly directed," Abellana told members of the city council.
The Department of Health-Central Office, according to Abellana is now crafting guidelines on lingam massage after learning it that it has been a controversial matter in Cebu.
Furthermore, Abellana said that therapeutic massage to the male organ may be allowed if there is clearance from the doctor.
Adorable, who is a medical specialist, also suggested to the council that men having problems with their prostate should go to the hospitals and not to massage parlors.
Abellana added that the Department of Health has started implementing Presidential Decree (PD) 856 that requires massage clinics and spas to have at least one li-censed massage therapist (LMT).
Section 62(a) of PD 856 or the Code on Sanitation mandated that a massage therapist should have a certification issued by the DOH Committee of Examiners for Mas-sage Therapy before practicing this skill.
A massage therapist has to undergo training from one of the 12 DOH-accredited training institutions before taking the licensure examinations given in June and De-cember each year.
The license of a massage therapist is renewable every three years.
DOH has also mandated that for every 50 therapists, there should be at least 1 licensed masseuse.
City treasurer Ofelia Oliva, meanwhile, told the city council that out of 99 massage parlors in the city, four of them are operating bearing the name of lingam massage.
She also said that when these establishments apply for a business permit, they apply as a massage parlor and don't mention lingam massage.

[cobraKing]

PDEA agent: No mauling, student just after revenge

CEBU, Philippines – An agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 accused of mauling a second year Criminology [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]student[/COLOR][/COLOR] denied the accusations hurled against him and has vowed to have the student expelled from the school.
David Mark Maramba, Intelligence Officer 3 of the PDEA-7, and also a commandant of the school called for a press conference yesterday to answer the accusations of Edgardo Martinez, 20, of the University of Cebu-Main Campus.
In a report filed with the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Cebu City Police Office, Martinez said he was on his way to the comfort room last Aug. 4 when an intern demanded he take off his earring.
He took off the earring but was dragged to the intern office when he refused to hand over his ID. There the intern and Dennis Chiong, son of Crusade Against Violence chairman Thelma Chiong and an instructor at the school, also allegedly took turns in punching him before Maramba joined them.
Maramba said he did not maul Martinez, but only restrained him with the help of Chiong and other interns when he went wild. They believe Martinez was then under the influence of illegal drugs.
Chiong, an administration clerk of the National Bureau of Investigation-7 and an instructor of the school, has also denied the accusation.
Maramba said an intern came to ask him for help and he arrived at the office and held Martinez by his shoulder when the student suddenly punched him in his chest continuously. This prompted him to hug the student to restrain him more.
He said he was assisted eight to 10 interns, including Chiong, because Martinez was allegedly so strong.


Maramba said Martinez just wants retaliation after he charged the latter for direct assault, eventually placing the student under detention.
Maramba said after assuming as commandant of the Criminology Department last year he received reports that there are a number of toughies among Criminology stu-dents that the Civil Security Unit of the school can no longer deal with.
The PDEA-7 agent said some CSU officers who confront students for school violations, have complained as some students of the said department have allegedly threatened them outside the school as they claim to be members of gangs or fraternities.
PDEA-7 Regional Director Adrian Alvarino said they will conduct an investigation on Maramba and apply sanctions if he is proven guilty of the said maltreatment.
After Maramba said he wants Martinez expelled, Martinez also said he wants Maramba to be terminated from the school and from the PDEA. He is planning to file a case against Maramba before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas

[cobraKing]

10 barangays receive vehicles from city

CEBU, Philippines – The city government yesterday distributed vehicles worth P5.6 million to 10 barangays to improve their delivery of services.
Mayor Michael Rama personally handed the symbolic key over to the barangay captains and reminded specifically to take good care of the donated properties and to use them only for official business.
Of the 10 barangays, Barangay Basak-Pardo is fortunate enough to receive an ambulance worth P2,025,000, aside from a [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]mini[/COLOR][/COLOR] dump truck worth P550,000.
Basak-Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak and members of the barangay's emergency response team personally received the vehicles from City Hall.
"Tulo na ang among ambulansya. Maayo ni kay makaresponde na g'yud mi kun dunay panginahanglan sa among pangalagad," Tumulak said.
Barangays Budlaan, Buhisan and Pahina Central were also given mini dump trucks while barangay Mambaling received cargo truck worth P898,000.
City Hall also gave patrol vehicles at P485,000 each to barangay San Roque (Ciudad) and Basak-San Nicolas, while much bigger patrol vehicles worth P520,000 were distributed to mountain barangays Sudlon 1, Buot-Taup and Tabunan.
The mini dump trucks are intended to be used in hauling garbage from the barangay to the dumpsite while the patrol vehicles are aimed at ensuring peace and order in the barangay.

[cobraKing]

Council committee approves rules on usage of tunnel

CEBU, [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Philippines[/COLOR][/COLOR] – Except for minor changes in the provision of the ordinance, the City Council committee on traffic management has given the green light on the use of the Cebu South Coastal Road Project Tunnel.
Councilor Richard Osmeña, chairman of the committee on traffic management, said the ordinance stipulating the regulations in the use of the tunnel is laudable, as it prioritizes public safety.
In his proposed measure, Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias wants to regulate the use of the tunnel by identifying the vehicles or cargo allowed or should not be allowed transit in the tunnel to minimize accidents.
The tunnel connects the viaduct before the South Road Properties to Sergio Osmeña Boulevard and traverses beneath Plaza Independencia. The tunnel was build pur-posely to ease traffic by and travel from the northern to the southern part of the city - and vice versa - easier and faster.
Osmeña, however, said that the proposed P10,000 penalty clause is beyond the power of the City Council, as it can only impose a maximum of P5,000 as fine. Osmeña also said a first warning is not considered a penalty.
In a public hearing yesterday, Engr. Nonito Labrador of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Private Management Office, suggested to prohibit six to 10-wheeler trucks and garbage trucks from entering the tunnel.
Labrador also suggested that a task force be created to monitor the tunnel.

[cobraKing]

Tornado, flashflood victims pick up the pieces, rebuild homes

CEBU, Philippines – At least eight families in Argao town whose houses were ravaged by a whirlwind Thursday will start rebuilding their homes and their lives as construction materials donated by the municipal government arrive today.
Florentino Ortega, Barangay Captain of Talaga, the village hit by the whirlwind hit dawn last Thursday, said the construction materials such as galvanized iron sheets, nails, and wood will be delivered to the barangay today.
Ortega said Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos called him up yesterday and asked him to list the residents affected by the tragedy.
Ortega said the affected residents will rebuild their houses with the help of other residents in the barangay and they aim to build stronger structures that can withstand strong winds.
Two of the houses, owned by Elizabeth Alonzo and Danilo Ramos, were totally devastated by the whirlwind that struck the barangay around 2am last Thursday. The Alonzo family has decided to rebuild their house on land this time, Ortega said.
Alonzo herself was hit by a hard object on her upper lip when she was swimming to shore right after their house collapsed into the water.
Four of the affected families have moved in with their relatives after the incident.
Meanwhile, in the nearby town of Santander, the 40 families in Barangays Pasil, Looc, and Poblacion whose houses were hit by flashfloods were also provided with food provisions and other basic necessities such as mats, blankets, kitchen utensils, and used clothing.


Melita Mariano, Social Welfare Officer 3 of Santander, however, said there was no need to provide housing materials to the families since the incident was not alarm-ing and the houses were not damaged.
Mariano said the families were advised to relocate because the area where they currently staying is prone to flashfloods.
She said last Thursday was the second time flashfloods had hit the barangay. The incident last February 7 last year neither damaged properties nor hurt anyone. This time, however, at least 15 houses were totally destroyed while over 40 others were partially damaged when flashflood occurred due to heavy rains, she said.
On the other hand, in Bantayan Island, some families were temporarily housed in tents provided by the municipal government.
Magdalena Derecho, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, said the other 22 affected families chose to live with their relatives temporarily.
The affected families received food provisions right after the incident, but Derecho said there is yet no plan for the municipal government to provide housing materials, as the damage is considered minor.
The tornado that struck the island past 7pm Thursday removed the roof of four houses and damaged the roof of other houses in sitio Macabayao, Barangay Lipayran.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned the public to prepare for "more fury to be unleashed by nature" this rainy season.

[cobraKing]

Pine tree keeps minibus from falling off cliff

CEBU, [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Philippines[/COLOR][/COLOR] – If not for a pine tree, a minibus would have fallen off a steep cliff in the mountain area in Sitio Sigsag, Barangay Obo, Dalaguete, southern Cebu.
Randay Quevedo, the driver, was also glad he was just raveling slowly when the radiator of the vehicle was busted at around 10 a.m., sending hot water gushing up at him.
The passengers of the minibus were students of the Don Bosco College who were on their way to the Mantalongon Retreat House in Mantalongon, Dalaguete.
The NB Boy Minibus is owned by Vinaventura Lopez and bore the plate number GWR-993.
The overheated radiator caused the water to burst as Quevedo was maneuvering his way up a steep hill.
He was able to stop the vehicle immediately but the bus moved backward and nearly fell off a ravine estimated to be more than 50 meters deep. Luckily, a pine tree pre-vented the falling of the bus.
Eleven out of the 40 passengers, including the driver and the instructor, were hurt.
The victims were immediately brought to the Cardinal Rosales Hospital in Dalaguete after they sustained bruises. Quevedo had a second degree burn on his legs.


PO2 Reynaldo Amarillento of the Dalaguete Police Station told The FREEMAN that the victims sustained minor injuries. He also said the victims proceeded to the re-treat house after they were all declared out of danger.
The minibus was still in the area as of last night as the police were still trying to figure out how to remove the bus safely. Amarillento said that the owner of the bus will give financial help to the victims.

[Tirong-say]

Council committee approves rules on usage of tunnel

CEBU, [COLOR=blue ! important][COLOR=blue ! important]Philippines[/color][/color] – Except for minor changes in the provision of the ordinance, the City Council committee on traffic management has given the green light on the use of the Cebu South Coastal Road Project Tunnel.
Councilor Richard Osmeña, chairman of the committee on traffic management, said the ordinance stipulating the regulations in the use of the tunnel is laudable, as it prioritizes public safety.
In his proposed measure, Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias wants to regulate the use of the tunnel by identifying the vehicles or cargo allowed or should not be allowed transit in the tunnel to minimize accidents.
The tunnel connects the viaduct before the South Road Properties to Sergio Osmeña Boulevard and traverses beneath Plaza Independencia. The tunnel was build pur-posely to ease traffic by and travel from the northern to the southern part of the city - and vice versa - easier and faster.
Osmeña, however, said that the proposed P10,000 penalty clause is beyond the power of the City Council, as it can only impose a maximum of P5,000 as fine. Osmeña also said a first warning is not considered a penalty.
In a public hearing yesterday, Engr. Nonito Labrador of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Private Management Office, suggested to prohibit six to 10-wheeler trucks and garbage trucks from entering the tunnel.
Labrador also suggested that a task force be created to monitor the tunnel.

Sakto gyud ni, lisud manimaho ug ma-congested ang tunnel, medyo dako lang kaayo ang penalty.......