Comprehensive transport
security system proposed

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella has filed a bill seeking an efficient and internationally compliant transport security system in all ports, harbors, terminals, infrastructures and facilities in air, land and water nationwide.

In House Bill 5014, Puentevella said there is an urgent need to install and implement a comprehensive Civil Aviation, Maritime, Land and Rail National Security Programs throughout the country to contain and prevent, if not eradicate, incidents detrimental to human lives and properties.

Salient points of the measure include the enactment of a singular administrative agency in the transportation sector, the law enforcement agencies and other allied agencies, a press release from the solon's office said yesterday.

Puentevella's proposed legislation would also mandate the establishment of measures to prevent weapons, explosives or other dangerous materials, persons, elements, devices and cargoes which may be used to commit an unlawful act.

The bill also aims at complying with the minimum international standards in all modes of transport security by being acquiescent with the standards and practices of the post 9/11 attacks in the United States, and other terror acts in London, Spain, and the spate of Philippine bombings which have claimed a number of lives and damage to properties, the press release added.*

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Mortar bomb,
more guns turned over

The campaign of the police in the collection of loose firearms in Negros Occidental has yielded an 81mm mortar bomb and three more unlicensed guns in the towns of La Castellana and Valladolid.

Scrap iron buyer Christopher Daclan has turned over to the police an 81mm mortar bomb he had recovered from a group of children at Hacienda Mansalayao, Brgy. Nato, La Castellana, on Jan. 16.

It could have been another bloody incident had the bomb exploded while being played by children, La Castellana police chief Placido Composa said.

On Jan. 5, two minors died while three others were injured when a fragmentation grenade they discovered and subsequently played exploded in Brgy. Libertad, Escalante City.

Senior Inspector Rico Santotome, Valladolid police chief, said they have also recovered two more unlicensed firearms - a .357 magnum revolver and homemade 12-gauge shotgun - which were surrendered by Teresita Bedaure and Elezerino Oberio to them on Jan. 12 and 17, respectively.

Santotome said the homemade shotgun was turned over by Oberio to PO1 Romelo Tanaleon, while the .357 magnum revolver was taken by Bedaure from a minor who had found it near the water pump station in the town.

A certain Abunjo Palabrica also surrendered a homemade 12-gauge shotgun to the police.

Within three weeks, Santotome said they have already recovered 17 unlicensed guns in Valladolid, since the launching of the Oplan Balik Baril program.

Last week, eight unlicensed firearms and ammunition were seized in Manapla and Ilog towns and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, bringing to 31 the number of guns accounted for by the Negros Occidental police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group since the start of the year.*GPB

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Body found at Bredco

The body of a naked woman was found floating in the sea near the Bacolod reclamation area in Bacolod City at about 7:30 a.m. yesterday.

The body of Roselyn Linodio, 23, of Purok Bulak, Brgy. Mandalagan, Bacolod City was spotted by fishermen after it got trapped in their fishnet. The fishermen towed Linodio near the shore, police reports said.

Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, Bacolod City police director, yesterday said an autopsy showed that Linodio drowned and no foul play had been noted.

Merced said Linodio was last seen bathing in the sea near the Bacolod reclamation area Wednesday afternoon and failed to return home until yesterday. He said Linodio's family claimed the victim was suffering from a nervous breakdown.

Linodio's body and some portion of her forehead had minor injuries and bruises, police reports said.*DMG

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