News Briefs: Feb.26, 2019

3 kg of ‘shabu’ seized, 5 suspects nabbed

Police have seized at least 3 kilograms of “shabu,” or crystal meth, in two raids in as many days in Zamboanga City.

Elmer Solon, head of the Zamboanga City police station, said the two operations also led to the arrest of five suspects.

During the first raid, on Feb. 22, three suspects were arrested in possession of at least 2 kg of shabu worth an estimated P13.6 million.

On Sunday, Feb. 24, police arrested two suspects and seized at least 1.2 kg of shabu worth an estimated P8.2 million. —Julie Alipala

Gunmen barge into village hall, kill 2 execs

A village councilor and a watchman were killed when four gunmen attacked a village hall while village officials were meeting on Thursday in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

Senior Supt. Maximo Layugan, North Cotabato police director, citing a report from the Midsayap police, said the victims —  Macapagal Gumayao, 54, councilor of Barangay Nes, and village watchman Garo Mangadta, 32 — were killed in the attack.

Three other persons were wounded.

Police identified the leader of the gunmen as a Karandang Kedto. Police found bullet shells for Armalite rifles at the crime scene.

Police said the motive could be a clan feud over vast tracts of land involving the village chair, who was among the wounded. —Edwin O. Fernandez

US Embassy holding 4th EducationUSA Fair

The United States Embassy in Manila is holding the EducationUSA Fair on Feb. 28 in Cebu and March 1 in Manila to link up Filipino students with US schools.

Matt Keener, US Embassy cultural affairs officer, said the fourth holding of the fair would allow Filipinos interested in pursuing degrees or higher studies in the United States “the opportunity to interact” with more than 30 admissions officers from “a wide variety of US schools and colleges.”

Keener said in the last two years, “the number of Filipinos studying in the United States has grown and is outpacing most countries in the world.”

In the last academic year, 3,225 Filipino students pursued their studies in the States, he said. —Armin P. Adina

Hataman: ARMM prepared for ‘turning point’

The last governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which will be abolished to give way to a new autonomous government, said his administration has been getting ready for the transition.

“We congratulate the incoming members of the BTA as they take over the new regional government,” said Mujiv Hataman, ARMM’s last governor.

“The ARMM has been preparing for this turning point,” he said.

Hataman was referring to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority which would serve as interim government of the newly established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“We put all the documents in order, ensuring that everything was complete to ensure a smooth transition whoever will sit next,” Hataman said. —Sheila Mae dela Cruz and Bong Sarmiento

Medical marijuana bill foe warns of drug abuse

A party-list congressman on Monday warned Congress that legalizing medical marijuana even only for medical purposes could lead to its widespread use among the youth “for fun and entertainment.”

“There’s no question medical marijuana will serve as the gateway for the widespread consumption of the mind-altering drug for fun and entertainment,” Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said.

“If we create demand through legalization, then supply will surely come in,” he said in a statement.

“So we will, in effect, be creating a whole new drug market where there is absolutely none now for medical marijuana,” Atienza added.

On Jan. 29, the House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 6517 or the proposed “Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act” on third and final reading.

It needs concurrence by the Senate and signing by the President to be passed into law. —DJ Yap

Sara as Duterte protector in 2022 ‘nonsensical’

Malacañang on Sunday spent time reacting to a column saying that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio was likely to protect her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, from prosecution and arrest by the International Criminal Court if she became President in 2022.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the column in the ABS-CBN online site was “nonsensical” and “propaganda.” —Christine O. Avendaño