News Briefs

Power co-op seeks upgrade

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur—The Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative (Aselco) is seeking the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for its P355-million capital expenditure (Capex) in the next three years to upgrade its equipment and facilities. In a public hearing last week, Leah Fe Estillore, Aselco officer in charge, said the electric cooperative needed to upgrade its substation equipment and information technology structure, buy digital electric meters and replace wooden electric posts, tools, vehicles and other equipment to improve its services. She said Aselco rates will increase by 19 centavos per kilowatt hour once all projects are implemented. ERC Commissioner Joselina Patricia Asirit said the Capex was “quite justifiable,” considering the urgency of Aselco’s need.  —CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN

 2 dead in drug busts

Two suspected drug pushers were killed in separate police operations in Laguna and Quezon provinces on Tuesday and Wednesday, police said. In Laguna, suspect Herman Manila died in a shootout with policemen during a buy-bust operation in the village of Palingon in Calamba City at 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Manila’s companions, Ronnel and Rommel, also surnamed Manila, were arrested.  In Lucena City, Paul Erick Causapin, who was on the local police’s drug watch list, resisted arrest and shot it out with policemen who conducted a drug bust in Barangay Cotta on Tuesday night. Senior Supt. Antonio Yarra, Quezon provincial police director, said Causapin was eighth on the list of wanted crime suspects in Quezon.  —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR. AND MARICAR CINCO