Newsbriefs
NPA ‘taxmen’ held
QUEZON–The military said yesterday it arrested two suspected collectors of so-called revolutionary taxes for the New People’s Army in Tayabas, Quezon.
One of the suspects was identified as a certain JR Carabido, 18. The other is a 15-year-old boy.
Col. Generoso Bolina said the two were arrested in the act of extorting money from a store owner in Barangay Tongko, Tayabas.
Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, Southern Luzon Command chief, said the arrests proved the NPA continues to recruit minors. Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon
EVENTS
Los Baños play
THE ROTARY Club of Los Baños, Laguna, is bringing the play “Tu Dulce Estranjera” to the Sacred Heart Academy in Lucena, Quezon in celebration of national hero Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday.
The play is a soliloquy featuring Josephine Bracken, one of Rizal’s love interests, trying to narrate her life but being confused by the ghost of Rizal.
It runs for 40 minutes and is written by Palanca awardee Layeata P. Bucoy, a member of the faculty of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños’ Department of Humanities.
The play would be staged on Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Academy auditorium with actress Theresa Carlos directed by Dennis Supa and actress Elle Velasco directed by Ding Navasero.
Casino junked
BUTUAN CITY–Mounting protests from the Catholic Church and other groups have forced the city government to trash a proposal by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to operate a casino here, according to the city mayor.
Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said yesterday he was also personally opposed to the idea of a casino in the city as well.
Pagcor planned to put up the casino at the Dotties Hotel and Convention Center here.
Amante said during public consultations, city officials found that there was overwhelming opposition to the proposal, which prompted him to deny Pagcor a permit to operate a casino.
Pagcor earlier said the operation of the casino could pump-prime the local economy.
Anti-casino groups hailed Amante’s move, saying it was the “right decision.” Franklin A. Caliguid, Inquirer Mindanao
