NEWSBRIEFS

PANGASINAN

432nd anniversary

A fireworks display will signal this year’s celebration of Pangasinan’s 432nd founding anniversary on April 11. The province was founded on April 5, 1580. But since the day fell on Maundy Thursday this year, the celebration was moved to April 11.

Provincial administrator Rafael Baraan said the fireworks display, which would be seen at the capitol beachfront, would be smoke-free and would not cause harm to the environment. Baraan said a zarzuela featuring local talents would precede the fireworks display on April 10 midnight.

“This is a rightful tribute to the Pangasinan language that is slowly being forgotten, especially by the younger generation,” he said. This year’s celebration will also highlight the launching of Pangasinan orthography, awarding of prizes to the winners of the first Pangasinan literary contest and presentation of the research on Pangasinan history. A float parade and street dancing will also take place in the capital town of Lingayen.—Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

2 students drown

Two high school students drowned while swimming in a beach in San Fabian town on Black Saturday, police said. Reports said Aaron Ocampo of Villasis town and Bryan de Jesus of Angeles City, both 14 years old, drowned in separate incidents at about 4 p.m.

Senior Police Officer 2 Fernando Dotong, San Fabian police chief investigator, said the victims were with separate groups of excursionists that had gone to the beach during the weekend. He said Ocampo and De Jesus died while being taken to the Region 1 Medical Center here.

Dotong said the waters were calm on Saturday afternoon. “The victims may have gone too far from the shore,” he said.—Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

MASBATE

11 held for murder

Eleven suspected murderers were arrested consecutively by the police in March.

Masbate police director Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit said the capture of each of the suspects had a reward of P90,000.

Arrested were Roland Florendo, Marcial Vidal, Ramon Botigan, Edgar Rosales, Rowel Rosales, Fernando Botigan, Andres Alcaraz, Mariano Vidal, Samuel Enor, Zaldy Enor and Vivencio Valenzuela. The suspects have murder cases at the municipal trial court of Cataingan town, 57 kilometers south of Masbate City.

Olitoquit encouraged informants on 20 other murder suspects. Informants may send text message to or call police hotline 09089809124 or contact the nearest police station, he said.—Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Inquirer Southern Luzon