Regions Briefs: Concert for peace in Magdalena, Laguna

Concert for peace in Magdalena, Laguna

Stories of love, struggle and the people’s longing for just and lasting peace. This is the message of songs in a concert for peace, dubbed Gabi ng Mga Awit ng Pag-ibig sa Bayan, featuring Freddie Aguilar with his Watawat Band and Rence Rapanot. The concert, presented by Almes-MES Alumni Association with the Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City District 3830, will be held at the town plaza of Magdalena town, Laguna province, tonight at 6 p.m. It coincides with the celebration of Rotary Week’s “Peace and Conflict Resolution” and part of the centennial celebration of the Ananias Laico Memorial Elementary School.

4 trucks with illegal sand blocked

LUCENA CITY—Police blocked four trucks transporting sand illegally quarried from Tayabas Bay in Sariaya town in Quezon province. Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento, Quezon police director, said three trucks were first intercepted in the village of Bantilan. The fourth truck was intercepted in the same village two hours later. Armamento said the trucks were loaded with at least 14 cubic meters of sand taken from the coast of Tayabas Bay. He said the drivers failed to present permits that allow the transport of the quarry materials. They were charged with violating mining laws. —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.

Rape victim’s kin welcome village chief’s ouster

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The family of a teenager, who was found dead inside a motel here last year, welcomed the ruling of the Office of the Ombudsman in Mindanao suspending the village chair of Pagatpat, who had been accused of raping the girl. The decision, approved by Deputy Ombudsman Rodolfo Elman, found substantial evidence to hold Achilles Jude Babaran, Pagatpat barangay chair, liable for grave misconduct. “We are glad he is removed from office,” said Rex Loyola, father of Nephi Loyola, the girl who accused Babaran of raping her twice in 2015. The girl filed the case against Babaran only in March last year. In July 2016, Nephi was found dead inside a motel here. Suspicions were raised that the killing of the girl was linked to the rape case she filed against Babaran, who went into hiding after he was sued for rape. Babaran was arrested on Sept. 14, 2016, at the JR Borja General Hospital, where he was confined after complaining of chest pains. He had denied raping the girl, saying the accusations were politically motivated. —JIGGER JERUSALEM

CHR sues teacher for abuse of 9-yr-old pupil

BACOLOD CITY—The Commission on Human Rights filed criminal complaints against a Grade 3 teacher of Rizal Elementary School here at the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday for child abuse and torture of a 9-year-old pupil. Rowelyn Bolinas, the teacher, allegedly ordered 41 of her pupils to beat the victim’s butt using their glue sticks as punishment for absences. —CARLA P. GOMEZ