2 soldiers killed in landmine attack in Davao City
Two soldiers were killed while 15 others were injured in Davao City on Thursday after their convoy hit a landmine of the New People’s Army (NPA), the military said yesterday. The slain soldiers were identified as Cpl. Michael D. Yadao and Pvt. Virnel M. Damondon. Two NPA rebels were also killed in the encounter. The military said the soldiers were pursuing armed men who burned down a pineapple harvester owned by Del Monte in Calinan District, Davao City, when their convoy hit a landmine at around 4 p.m. along the boundary of Barangay Lacson and Barangay Lamanan. A firefight ensued. Responding troops recovered a pistol, a garand rifle, two improvised explosive devices and materials needed to make a landmine. —Philip C. Tubeza
Camarines Norte governor charged for ignoring CSC order
Camarines Norte Gov. Edgardo Tallado has been charged in the Sandiganbayan for ignoring the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) order to reinstate the provincial veterinarian. Also charged with one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practice Act were provincial legal officer Sim Mata Jr., and supervising administrative officer Mario dela Cruz. Tallado, Mata and dela Cruz allegedly caused undue injury to the provincial veterinarian, Edgardo Gonzales, in 2012 by “adamantly ignoring” the CSC’s order to return him to his post after he was unlawfully transferred to the Provincial Information Office. The officials later dropped Gonzales from the rolls and refused to heed the CSC’s August 2013 order. Tallado was ordered dismissed by the Ombudsman in 2016 for the illegal dismissal of provincial employees. —VINCE F. NONATO
Ex-Cebu mayor charged with obstruction in son’s case
State prosecutors have formally charged former Talisay City, Cebu Mayor Socrates Fernandez for interfering with police operations during the arrest of his adopted son in 2010. Fernandez, an incumbent councilor, was accused of retrieving a red lady’s bag from the sports utility vehicle of adopted son Joavan, while it was under police custody during the latter’s warrantless arrest on June 4, 2010. He allegedly had the “intent to impair its availability as possible evidence in the investigation” of the grave threats case against his son, according to Assistant Special Prosecutor Edgar Martho. Fernandez allegedly “insisted that he could do anything with his vehicle being owned by him and being the City Mayor of Talisay, Cebu,” the charge sheet read. He then supposedly refused to turn over the bag despite being asked to do so. —VINCE F. NONATO
NPA captures two militiamen in Davao Oriental
DAVAO CITY —The communist New People’s Army (NPA) said it captured two more militiamen in Lupon town of Davao Oriental on Tuesday, bringing to seven the number of government troops in their custody since January this year. Rigoberto Sanchez, NPA Southern Mindanao spokesperson, said the NPA captured militiamen Rene Doller, 34, and Carl Mark Nucos, 24, both of the 72nd Infantry Battallion in a checkpoint the rebels set up in Barangay Don Mariano in Lupon, Davao Oriental, on Feb. 14. Sanchez said his group had been treating their captives well. This developed as NPA rebels in Central Mindanao assured that Pvt. 1st Class Samuel Garay and Sergeant Solaiman Calocop, whom the rebels captured in Colombio, Sultan Kudarat on Feb. 1, were alive and well. —ALLAN NAWAL, EDWIN FERNANDEZ AND ELDIE AGUIRRE, INQUIRER MINDANAO
Davao Oriental board member admits slapping radioman
TAGUM CITY—A board member of Davao Oriental has admitted slapping a broadcaster inside the session hall of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) and dared him to file cases but added he did not regret doing it. Joselito Villademosa said broadcaster Manny Pajarito sullied his reputation when the station manager lambasted him and called him “a worthless politician.” He was not given a chance to refute the tag, Villademosa said. “I admit it. Had I grabbed something then, I would have used it as well in hitting him,” Villademosa said, adding he was infuriated by Pajarito’s commentaries. “He stomped on my name. He ruined my reputation.” Pajarito is station manager of Radyo Rapido in Mati City. —FRINSTON LIM