NEWSBRIEFS

POLICE have imposed a monthlong gun ban for the duration of this year’s Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival).

Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Philippine National Police chief, issued a memorandum on Feb. 6 suspending all permits to carry firearms outside of residence from Feb. 10 to March 4.

Police also enforced a gun ban last year for the festival, resulting in “zero case” of gun-related crimes.

The city’s number coding scheme regulating private vehicles has also been suspended from Feb. 12 to March 2. Inquirer Northern Luzon

CEBU CITY

Village chief ousted

THE MUNICIPAL Trial Court in Cities has ordered a barangay captain to vacate his post after it declared his opponent winner in the 2010 elections.

But Barangay Captain Victor Quijano of Calamba said he would exhaust all legal means to stop political rival Ester Concha from taking over his position. Jhunnex Napallacan, Inquirer Visayas

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO

Army recruitment

THE ARMY has started recruiting 5,500 reservists in 11 Central Luzon and Ilocos provinces to form 11 battalions for disaster response, environmental protection and security operations, an official said on Thursday.

The recruitment will complement the work of five regular Army battalions, said Army Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, public affairs chief of the 7th Infantry Division based in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

The recruitment is ongoing in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and La Union. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

NORTH COTABATO

Bomb hits bus

A PASSENGER was hurt when a roadside bomb exploded and hit a bus traversing the national highway in Carmen, North Cotabato, on Monday, police said.

North Cotabato police chief Senior Supt. Cornelio Salinas said the explosion happened on the highway in Barangay Cadiis in Carmen town past 6 a.m. hitting a Rural Transit bus bound for Koronadal City. Williamor A. Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Rice award

THE PROVINCIAL government’s effort to be self-sufficient in rice production has earned Negros Occidental the Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers’ Awards.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and provincial agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan were invited to the awarding ceremonies at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila on Feb. 10. Carla P. Gomez, Inquirer Visayas

NAGA CITY

Trafficking case

A SECURITY guard of the Masbate Electric Cooperative (Maselco) was charged with human trafficking at the Masbate City Prosecutor’s Office on Friday for allegedly forcing two female minors to join him and a companion in a drinking binge inside the Maselco compound.

Insp. Allan Lopez of the Masbate police said security guard Ronald Cos, 24, was accused of violating the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 for forcibly bringing the minors to the Maselco compound to drink liquor with him and a companion on Jan. 29.

The minors have been rescued and are now back with their families. Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Inquirer Southern Luzon