TUGUEGARAO CITY
Ex-cop chief missing
A former police chief of Baggao, Cagayan, was reported missing after his van fell into a river in that town on Friday, police said.
Senior Superintendent Mao Aplasca, Cagayan police director, said search-and-rescue operations continued on Saturday to look for retired Supt. Dominador Serquinia, who was feared to have been swept away by a strong current in a river in Barangay (village) Bitag Grande after the accident.
Aplasca said the van was recovered from the riverbed but rescuers failed to find Serquinia, who drove the vehicle and was said to be its lone occupant. Reports said Serquinia was crossing a bridge that was being repaired in Sitio (settlement) Basaw when he lost control of the van, causing it to plunge into the river some 20 meters below.—Villamor Visaya Jr.,Inquirer Northern Luzon
TAGUM CITY
4 hurt in blast
Four soldiers were wounded when an improvised bomb said to have been planted by communist rebels exploded in a hinterland village of Monkayo, Compostela Valley, early Saturday, said Major Jacob Obligado, commander of the Army’s 10th Civil-Military Operations.
The soldiers were immediately evacuated to the Naval hospital in Davao City after suffering shrapnel injuries in the 2:30 a.m. explosion in Barangay (village) Casoon. The soldiers, belonging to the 25th Infantry Battalion, were conducting combat patrol when the explosion took place, he said.
Colonel Leopoldo Galon, spokesman of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, said a five-minute firefight also ensued as pursuing soldiers caught up with the New People’s Army rebels responsible for the explosion.—Frinston Lim with a report from Orlando Dinoy, Inquirer Mindanao
SOUTHERN LEYTE
Fire hits market
Nine stalls, four houses and two commercial buildings were destroyed on Saturday night when a fire hit one of the structures inside the public market in St. Bernard town, Southern Leyte.
No one was reported hurt but at least P10 million worth of property was destroyed in the blaze that broke out at 8:30 p.m., said Jane Araneta, information officer of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Council.
The fire started from a house at the back of the structure and quickly spread to the stalls and homes nearby, said Araneta. The structure, which was made of wood and GI Sheets, housed 15 stalls. The fire was contained after over three hours.—Jani Arnaiz, Inquirer Visayas
ROXAS CITY
New Capiz bishop
Preparation is underway for the installation of Bishop Jose Fuerte Advincula, who is set to be installed as Capiz’s third archbishop on Jan. 11, 2012, said outgoing Capiz Archbishop Msgr. Onesimo Cadiz Gordoncillo.
Capiceños have welcomed the appointment of Advincula, 59, of the San Carlos diocese in Negros Occidental.—Felipe V. Celino, Inquirer Visayas