NEWS BRIEFS

JAPANESE ENVOY COURTESY VISIT

NEWLY installed Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe paid a courtesy visit to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia as part of the Japanese government’s efforts to promote diplomatic ties with the country.

Urabe, who assumed post last month said his visit is part of a tour of local government units (LGUs) in the country.

He said both Japan and the Philippines enjoy a good economic relationship.

Urabe said this was evident during the recent earthquake in which the national government sent aid and personnel to help in rescue and relief operations.

“The Philippines is a great partner that we share the same thinking. We don’t try to force things. We try to find our advance in the international system through consultation and dialogue,” he said.

Governor Garcia lauded Japan for how it responded to the crisis caused by the earthquake. Urabe said their country is 90 percent back from what it used to be before the disaster.

The governor also cited the Japanese firm Tsuneshi which generated 12,000 jobs in Balamban town and Cebu Mitsumi Inc. for producing 14,000 jobs in Danao City.

“These greatly helped Cebu’s economy,” Garcia said.

Urabe previously served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Ireland.

His father also served as Ambassador to the Philippines in 1969. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus

TOP OFFICIALS TRANSFERRED

TWO top police officials identified with former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district were transferred to other assignments.

Supt. Paul Labra II, deputy city police director for operations, will be transferred to the Philippine Center for Aviation Security (PCAS).

He declined to comment on reports that his transfer was caused by a loyalty check done by Mayor Michael Rama.

Labra said it’s normal for police officers to be transferred and he had clearance from City Hall officials. “This is my career advancement”, he told reporters.

Another top city police official, Chief Insp. George Ylanan was transferred to the Cebu Provincial Police Office.

Ylanan used to head the Criminal Investigation and Detective Management Branch (CIDMB) of the Cebu City police.

His transfer took effect last Jun 15 based on an order from the Police Regional Office (PRO-7).

Senior Supt. Ramon Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City police chief, denied the transfer came as a result of the mayor’s loyalty check. He said the police is an apolitical, professional peace-keeping organization shielded from local politics.

Rama bolted the administration Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) party founded by Osmeña following disagreements over a number of issues such as the relocation of affected families in the Mahiga Creek. Correspondent Chito Aragon