'Akyat bahay' man nabbed

A suspected member of the "Akyat bahay gang" was apprehended by Police Precinct 8 personnel and barangay officials in a residence in Purok Paho, Brgy. Pahanocoy in Bacolod City at about 12:30 p.m. yesterday.

Arrested was Wilfredo Villanueva, 40, of Purok Hanapbuhay in Brgy. Pahanocoy while he was in the act of taking several items owned by the complainant, Ma. Fe Nesia, of the same barangay, police reports said.

Pahanocoy barangay captain Elmo Olivar, his tanods and Police Precinct 8 personnel went to the area after receiving a report from a concerned citizen, police reports also said.

Initial reports said Villanueva destroyed the doorknob of the house to gain entrance, but Nesia saw him and immediately sought help.

Meanwhile, Villanueva's wife endorsed a Seiko 5 wristwatch and Canon digital camera believed also stolen to the responding policemen after he was arrested.

In a follow-up operation, the police recovered a double burner stove and gasul tank with regulator from the residence of Josue Escambrohasa of Purok Masinadyahon, Brgy. Pahanocoy, police reports said.*DMG

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'Intensify fire
prevention campaign'

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday urged the Bureau of Fire Protection to intensify its campaign on fire prevention awareness to prevent fire incidents in Bacolod City, during the opening of the annual celebration of fire prevention month.

Leonardia was guest of honor and speaker at the program held at the Bacolod City Central Fire Station in San Juan Street, Bacolod City yesterday.

Leonardia said that, despite new fire fighting technologies, he believes that the most effective way to fight fire is through the prevention of fire itself.

He commended the BFP personnel led by Senior Insp. Randy Pudadera, saying "Your job is full of danger, yet you risk your life to assure the safety of your fellow men, even if it could mean losing your life and leaving your family behind."

Leonardia asked the BFP to identify puroks in the city that could be fire-prone areas. He also requested that a fire drill be conducted at City Hall to encourage other establishments and offices to be conscious about fire prevention.

The Bureau of Fire Station had received the "Outstanding Fire Station of the Year Award" for 2002 and 2004.

Meanwhile, an estimated P25.7 million worth of properties were damaged by fire last year in Bacolod City based on BFP reports.

The BFP responded to a total of 633 fire calls from January to December 2005, which involve 61 residential fires. The report said a fireman and several civilians were injured in separate fire incidents last year.

The BFP had collected P2,556,080.33 in fire safety tax and fire safety inspection fees covering the same period.

The BFP also conducted house-to-house fire safety inspection in the barangays; fire prevention education; training, fire safety lectures and fire drills from January to December last year, and also filed three arson cases in court, an Annual Accomplishment Report submitted to Senior Insp. Eleuterio Iturriaga, Fire Protection regional director shows.*CGS

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KMU-Negros condemns
arrest of Beltran, 2 others

Kilusang Mayo Uno Negros condemned the arrest of its chairman emeritus and Anak Pawis Rep. Cirspin "Ka Bel" Beltran, Alliance of Nationalist and Genuine Labor Organization-KMU secretary general Dennis Maga, and vice president for Organization Marcial Dabela.

"The illegal arrests of our leaders signals a nationwide crackdown of militant trade union movement and progressive party list leaders and members calling Ms. Arroyo's ouster," KMU spokesmen Guillermo Barreta Jr. said in a press release yesterday.

Beltran was arrested Saturday on rebellion charges while Maga and Dabela were arrested on Sunday while arranging a visit to Rep. Beltran in his detention cell in Camp Crame.

On the same day, criminal Investigation and Detection group arrested Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador at the Davao City airport.

Other lawmakers like Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Rep. Teodoro Casino, AnakPawis rep. Rafael Mariano, and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza opted to stay at the House of Representative waiting for their warrants of arrest to be served.

"Arroyo is making mockery of our constitution and to the marginalized sector's House representatives. We must not be terrorized by the warrantless arrests and must not top our ouster campaign in order to prevent another Marcosian rule in Philippine history," Barreta said in the same press release.*

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