News Briefs: Feb. 24, 2019

Suspect’s wife killed in drug raid

Narcs killed the wife of a drug suspect in a clash in North Cotabato that also wounded the suspect’s daughter, several other civilians and four police officers.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, regional police chief, said police and soldiers were serving a search warrant at the home of Edwin Denosapal, 54, in Antipas town when Denosapal opened fire.

A gunfight followed, killing Denosapal’s wife, Arlene, 49, according to police.

The gunfight, which started around 2 a.m., ended around 3:30 a.m. with Denosapal’s surrender.

Wounded in the clash were Denosapal’s daughter, Cherry Mae, 18, and three other civilians.

Also wounded were Antipas police chief Senior Insp. Bernard Abarquez, PO1 Ubert Colago, SPO1 Albert Tubang and PO2 Nero Antonio Osorio, who was in critical condition. —Edwin O. Fernandez

Baguio airport drains cleared

Clogged drains will be cleaned and improved to prevent a repeat of last year’s floods at the Loakan Airport in Baguio City and a nearby village that is separated from the runway by a wall.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said government work crews will begin clearing drains along an access road outside the airport fence in March, while it prepares the upgrade of the airport.

Caap will review a DPWH plan to build additional drainage pipes along the runway wall and a plan to puncture the concrete fence where water can exit in case of heavy rain.

The airport is undergoing repair and rehabilitation for future commercial flights. —Vincent Cabreza

Suplico arraignment for graft ordered

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arraignment of former Iloilo Rep. Rolex Suplico in relation to a graft case over his alleged failure to liquidate around P25 million of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), commonly known as pork barrel.

In a seven-page resolution promulgated on Feb. 12, the antigraft court’s Fifth Division denied Suplico’s motion for consideration.

Reached by the Inquirer, Suplico denied the allegations but declined to further comment.

He said he would present his arguments during trial. The court dismissed Suplico’s argument that the case against him should be dropped for inordinate delay and for forum shopping. —Nestor P. Burgos Jr.

Ex-PNP chief seeks court OK to travel

Former police chief Alan Purisima has sought permission from the Sandiganbayan to travel to Indianapolis and California from March 25 to April 19.

Purisima said he wanted to attend the National Book and Annual Meeting of the Royal Order of Jesters in Indianapolis and the Book of the Play of Oakland at Yosemite National Park in California.

Purisima also told the court he wanted to visit relatives living in California.

He faces a graft case from his alleged involvement in a controversial courier service deal that the Philippine National Police entered into in 2011. —Patricia Denise M. Chiu