Helmet shells shipment seized

Acting on a tip by a concerned citizen, police and fisheries personnel intercepted 106 boxes containing assorted helmet shells, an endangered marine species belonging to the Cassidae family with an estimated market value of P1 million, near a pier in Jolo town, Sulu province, on Saturday.

Senior Supt. Abraham Orbita, provincial police chief, said the shells, described as having rather short spires but a well-developed final whorl, were being packed for shipment to Cebu City and Manila when these were seized by police and representatives of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources at the vicinity of Barangay (village) Chinese Pier.

A local resident, identified as Peralta Pula, 60, was arrested and is now being held at the Jolo police station pending the filing of charges against him. Julie S. Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao

LANAO DEL NORTE

Temporary bridge opened

Public works officials opened a temporary one-lane bailey bridge to vehicles in Lanao del Norte province on Monday, two weeks after flash floods washed away the 51-meter concrete span and cut a vital link between northern and western Mindanao.

Rey Peter Gelli, district engineer in Lanao del Norte, said the truss bridge connecting the towns of Linamon and Kauswagan could carry only 20 tons. Only 10 vehicles are allowed to pass at one time, he told the Inquirer.

After the concrete bridge was damaged by floods on Jan. 13, commuters took a boat ride across Larapan River when traveling to the cities of Iligan and Ozamiz. Replacing the bridge would cost some P155 million, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways. Ryan D. Rosauro, Inquirer Mindanao

PANGASINAN

Truck vs tricycle: 3 dead

Three persons were killed while five others were hurt when their tricycle was hit by a dump truck racing with another along the national highway in Mabini town, Pangasinan province, on Tuesday, police said.

Junice Velasco, 37, Jisel Tawataw, 34, and Mary Anne Vallares, 40, died before reaching Western Pangasinan District Hospital in Alaminos City, police said.

The trucks, both owned by Christian Ian Construction Corp., were on their way to a quarry site in the area.  Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

CAMARINES SUR

1 killed in motorcycle crash

A motorcycle rider was killed after slamming into the rear of a bus that suddenly stopped to pick up a passenger along Maharlika Highway in Milaor town, Camarines Sur province, early on Sunday, police said.

Jason Doblon, 24, died of severe head injuries three hours after the accident in Barangay San Jose at Bicol Medical Center in Naga City, said Senior Insp. Arthur Matos, deputy police chief of Milaor. Shiena M. Barrameda, Inquirer Southern Luzon