Man knifed to death

A man was stabbed dead near a disco outfit in Bacolod City, at about 7 p.m. Saturday, the police said yesterday.

Rexis Espares, 37, of Purok Balabag, Brgy. Granada, Bacolod, died of multiple stab wounds at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, PO3 Arnold Laguna of Police Station 5, said.

Espares was buying barbequed meat at a stall near a disco outfit in Purok Balabag where a fiesta was ongoing, when Harry Along allegedly attacked him from behind, Laguna said.

He also said they have received reports that Espares’ wife had earlier warned him against going near the disco area because someone was planning to harm him.

Laguna said they are still trying to find out what had caused the incident.

He said they have also received reports that Along was planning to surrender.*PP

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File raps vs. ‘barkers,’
PNP advises motorists

The Bacolod police yesterday encouraged jeepney drivers to file charges against “barkers” or passenger callers who harass them after reports were aired that some motorists had been mauled for refusing to give money to them.

Bacolod City Police Office director, Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar, said drivers harassed, intimidated, or physically attacked by barkers should file charges against them, aside from reporting them to the police.

He added that motorists can also apprehend erring barkers through citizen’s arrest.

Jessie Ortega, United Negros Drivers and Operators Center secretary-general, said that they are still waiting for the Sangguniang Panlungsod action on their request for an “anti-barking” ordinance they submitted three weeks ago.

He said two of their members, who refused to give money to barkers, were manhandled at San Sebastian-Gatuslao streets on April 4.

Ortega added that they have been giving cash to barkers only for humanitarian considerations, but they no longer want to do so because they have made it a livelihood, and have become very demanding.

Barkers in Bacolod have reportedly also submitted a petition to the SP not to pass the ordinance against them and instead allow them to be organized and become partners with transport groups.

Ortega, however, said, that they are not open to this and instead cited the cities of Iloilo and Cebu where there are existing anti-barking ordinances.

He also said that if the SP will not pass a new statute, it should, at least, amend City Ordinance No. 885, which prescribes penalties against barkers.

The law approved in 1977, has to be repealed to have stiffer sanctions against barkers, he said.

SP Transportation and Traffic committee chairman, Jun Gamboa, could not be reached for comment up to press time yesterday.*PP

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Cops seize coco lumber
IN CADIZ

The police in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, led by Chief Insp. Jefferson Descallar intercepted an unauthorized delivery of coconut lumber transported without permits from the Philippine Coconut Authority, a press release from the Cadiz PNP said.

The seized truckload of coconut lumber owned by Richard Dequita of Brgy. Luna, in Cadiz, was intercepted Thursday morning along Villena Street in the city.

Investigation showed that the timbers had not yet reached the age for cutting which is 60 years or more, required under Republic Act 8048, or the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995. The owner also failed to secure permit to transport the items, investigation added.

The PCA had issued a moratorium effective March 8, this year, on cutting coconut trees until further notice, in support of its replanting program, the press release added.*

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