News Briefs: April 10, 201

Off limits to people with sore eyes, skin diseases

The Department of Health (DOH) has urged administrators of public pools not to allow individuals with skin diseases or sore eyes to use their facilities to prevent the spread of these common summer ailments.

“Once a bacteria or virus finds its way to the pool, the infection can spread easily and it may lead to an epidemic in the area,” Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said. The DOH also reminded the public to ensure that they drink plenty of water these days to avoid falling victim to heatstroke. —Jovic Yee

Coast Guard denies barring Senate candidates to shoal

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday belied the claim of opposition senatorial candidates that they were barred from sailing to Scarborough Shoal.

The PCG spokesperson, Capt. Armando Balilo, said the Coast Guard did not prohibit anyone from visiting Scarborough even as it received no advisory from opposition candidates regarding their visit to the shoal.

Opposition senatorial candidates earlier said the Coast Guard “refused to give the boat owners permit if there is recording equipment in the rented boat, and warned that the equipment would be confiscated.”

Balilo said people who wish to go to the shoal only needed to inform the agency so they could be accounted for and monitored. —DAPHNE GALVEZ

Jolo bombing suspect killed

An alias Barak Ingog, believed to be one of the facilitators of the bombing of the cathedral in Jolo on Jan. 27, was killed on Monday in a firefight with government troops.

Also killed in the same armed encounter was Nasser Sawadjaan, a nephew of Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, the brains behind the bombing of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.

According to the Western Mindanao Command, troops of the 41st Infantry Battalion under the 5th Infantry Division engaged in a firefight some 40 Abu Sayyaf Group members led by Almujer Yada around 4 p.m. on Monday in Barangay Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu. —Jeanette I. Andrade

OFWs urged to go to voting centers abroad

Rep. Aniceto Bertiz of ACTS-OFW has urged Filipino workers living and working abroad to take time to go to voting posts starting Saturday for the overseas absentee voting in the 2019 midterm elections.

Overseas absentee voting will run for a month until Election Day on May 13, while local absentee voting will take place from April 29 to May 1.

Under Commission on Elections (Comelec) guidelines, duly registered Filipino voters abroad may go to their embassy or consulate or other designated polling precincts designated by the Comelec to cast their vote.

Postal voting is also available to those in far-flung regions. —DJ Yap

Choose candidates who respect rights, says AI

Amnesty International has challenged candidates vying for a spot in the political race “to respect, protect and fulfill human rights.”

In a statement on Tuesday announcing the launch of its electoral project ‘Sagot Mo Ba Ako?’, the international rights watchdog also urged voters to pick candidates who care for human rights.

Amnesty International Philippines section director Butch Olano said that for this elections, it was focusing on three main issues — poverty, physical security and gender equality, which were “universal concerns transcending class and creed.” —Patricia Denise M. Chiu

Avoid narrow streets, Comelec asks caravans

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has appealed to candidates in the May 13 polls to be considerate and exercise propriety in their campaign motorcades, especially in highly congested areas.

“We appeal to candidates not to bring their caravans in narrow streets. If they must, please consider not making any stops or else you’ll become a big blockade,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview.

On Wednesday, the poll body will tackle voter education via a live music concert at Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium.

“Swing Vote,” the free concert, starts at 5 p.m., with performers Gang Badoy Capati, Bopek, ACGY, Bird, Marlo Mortel and Comelec’s own band, Parokya ni Pistong. —Tina G. Santos