Police raided

BUTUAN CITY--COMMUNIST guerrillas raided the police station of Sta. Josefa town in Agusan del Sur on Wednesday, seizing three M-16 rifles, one M-14 rifle and one 9-millimeter pistol, police said.

“It was a swift rebel operation. No shots were fired because our men decided not to in order to keep out of harm’s way the civilians who were transacting in the center at that time,” said Senior Superintendent Nestor Fajurra, spokesman of the Caraga police.

Fajurra said five policemen, who were manning the station, decided not to engage some 50 New People’s Army rebels who came on a cargo truck in Barangay Poblacion at around 9 a.m.

Inspector Eleazar Pido, the town police chief, was relieved from his post and was undergoing investigation. Franklin A. Caliguid, Inquirer Mindanao

Polls behind slay?

THE KILLING of radio broadcaster Jonathan Fetalvero in Bayugan, Agusan del Norte, on Saturday, could be connected with his being a member of the barangay council, according to Senior Superintendent Nestor Fajura, spokesman of the Caraga police.

Fetalvero, who was known for his fierce commentaries and tirades against government wrongdoings in his block-time program on radio Friendster FM, was shot in the head by a lone man inside a restaurant.

Fajura said the killing was less likely to be part of the attacks against journalists because Fetalvero “did not single out specific persons in his commentaries and tirades.”

He said the victim was aspiring for the town’s vice mayoral seat in next year’s elections.

He admitted though that Fetalvero was involved in a recent dispute with some businessmen over the demolition of their stalls. Franklin A. Caliguid, Inquirer Mindanao

Climate task force

BORONGAN, SAMAR--EASTERN Samar has joined efforts to check climate change by forming a task force that aims to address local environmental issues.

Governor Ben Evardone, task force chairman, said the unit’s creation was meant to give flesh to “our campaign to save our Mother Earth” and give top priority to “the agenda on climate change.”

The task force will coordinate and rationalize programs to address climate change, and submit proposals for ordinances and resolutions for the protection, conservation, restoration and regulation of the environment and natural resources.

Eastern Samar, composed of 23 towns, has experienced flooding and flash floods, that were blamed on environmental degradation and climate change, resulting to deaths and destruction of property. Joey Gabieta. Inquirer Visayas