Police on alert for protests
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Army general Jovenal Narcise yesterday said the 5,000-strong 3 rd Infantry Division remains united and loyal to their mandate to follow the chain of command.

Policemen were placed on heightened alert in Negros Occidental yesterday ahead of protests today to call for the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo over a corruption scandal.

Narcise said his troops stationed in Negros, Panay, Cebu and Bohol are focusing their efforts on the conduct of anti-insurgency campaign, to meet the deadline set by President Arroyo to crush the armed insurgents by 2010.

Negrenses are being urged to join a crusade for truth led by the Diocese of Bacolod today and to bring candles and torches.

“I enjoin all to come and express solidarity in our fight against the minions of evil in the form of dishonesty and lies that beset our country,” Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said yesterday.

A “Mass for Truth” will be held at the San Sebastian Cathedral at 5:15 p.m. today to be followed by a via crucis around the Bacolod public plaza in support of Senate witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada who has exposed corruption in government, Navarra said.

Another suspect in the killing of PO3 Danilo Malones gave himself up to the Cauayan Police Station on Wednesday, after murder with theft charges were filed against him and his two brothers before the Negros Occidental Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

This developed as the Roger Mahinay Command of the New People's Army yesterday claimed responsibility for the assassination of Malones, whom they linked to illegal activities in Cauayan.

Senior Inspector Louie Figueroa, Cauayan police chief, yesterday identified the suspect who surrendered to them as Rico Domdom, 37, brother of Felipe and Robert Domdom, who were earlier apprehended in Brgy. Linaon, Cauayan.