News Briefs: Dismissal of fertilizer fund scam case vs Joel Reyes appealed

Dismissal of fertilizer fund scam case vs Joel Reyes appealed

State prosecutors have appealed the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of the fertilizer fund scam case against former Palawan Gov. Mario Joel Reyes on the ground that it took 12 years to bring the case to court. The Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor said it would adopt an appeal earlier filed in the similarly-dismissed cases of coaccused Department of Agriculture regional technical director Rodolfo Guieb and DA regional executive director Dennis Araullo. Guieb and Araullo earlier moved for the dismissal of their P3.25-million graft case on Jan. 6. This was granted by the Sandiganbayan on March 15. The OSP filed an appeal on March 22 which remains pending. —Vince F. Nonato

Australia cautions citizens on travel to PH

The Australian government advised on Friday its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to the Philippines. According to its travel advisory issued on Friday, “The deterioration in security in Mindanao has resulted in a more volatile security environment in the Philippines. Travellers are reminded of the high threat of terrorist attack in the Philippines, including Manila. Exercise heightened caution at this time.” The advisory urged Australians to be vigilant of their surroundings, monitor the media for information and to follow local authorities’ advice. Australians were also advised to reconsider the need to travel to eastern Mindanao due to the high threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping. —Jeannette I. Andrade

NPA releases soldier abducted in Bukidnon

The New People’s Army has released a soldier they abducted in Bukidnon earlier this month, a military spokesperson said yesterday. Army Capt. Norman Tagros said the communist rebels released Technical Sgt. Joseph Paredes of the 4th Infantry Division to Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas on May 23. The NPA Custodial Unit turned Paredes over to Huervas at her house in Barangay Catumbalon at around 9:30 p.m. on May 23. —Philip C. Tubeza

2 cops wounded in separate blasts

KIDAPAWAN CITY—Two policemen and a non-uniformed personnel were wounded when suspected communist rebels set off improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in separate incidents on Friday. The first incident, which injured P01 Ronald Española of the Arakan, North Cotabato police office, took place in Barangay Sikitan. Española and a non-uniformed personnel were on a patrol car in Barangay Amas here when the explosion took place, according to Arakan police chief Argie Celeste. A few hours later, another landmine explosion hit a police car of the Magpet, North Cotabato police office which was traversing the Magpet-Kidapawan road. P01 Jorben Baliguat of the Magpet police was injured in the 2 p.m. blast that took place in Barangay Marbel here. —Williamor Magbanua, Carlo Agamon