NewsBriefs: 2 ‘nanlaban’ dead in Novaliches drug buy bust

2 ‘nanlaban’ dead in Novaliches drug buy bust

Two people were killed in what police said was a gunfight with antinarcotic police in Novaliches on Friday night, according to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD). Their deaths were the first recorded under Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel as the new QCPD director. Only one of the two men had been identified. The QCPD said undercover policemen bought drugs from Amado Millete, 40, and a certain Michael in a buy-bust operation in the village of Santa Monica. The two, who were supposedly on the police’s drug list, sensed they were dealing with law enforcers and pulled out a handgun, starting the gunfight. They were killed on the spot. —JHESSET O. ENANO

World’s Strongest Man competitors presented

Tourism officials and tournament organizers on Saturday introduced competitors in the 41st World’s Strongest Man (WSM), which would be held in different parts of the country starting this weekend. Colin Bryce, tournament director, said the Philippines’ tropical climate, with hot and humid days, would provide additional challenge to the contestants. Most came from European and North American countries with temperate climates. Qualifying rounds were set from April 28 to May 1 at Rizal Park, Coconut Palace, Quirino Grandstand and Bonifacio Global City. Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said hosting WSM was an achievement of her department’s program to promote sports tourism. —JEROME ANING

BOC seizes P20M in ‘shabu’ sent from California

The Bureau of Customs on Friday seized P20 million worth of illegal drugs sent from the United States and claimed separately by two persons. Arrested in separate operations were Antonio Baguinbin, 38, of Sta. Ana, Manila, and Gundelina David, 64, of Malate, Manila. In a statement, Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the operation followed a tip from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Baguinbin was arrested after claiming 2 kilograms of “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P10 million in a package declared as containing car accessories. David was arrested as she claimed another 2 kg of shabu, also worth P10 million, in a package declared as containing a baby crib. The packages were sent from California. —JULIE M. AURELIO

PDEA buys more guns, bulletproof vests

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) had acquired some P202 million worth of guns and gear for its continuing war on narcotics. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said among the PDEA’s new acquisitions were 560 guns, 689 bulletproof vests and 43 bulletproof shields. The PDEA, Aquino said in a statement, also acquired P9.4 million worth of IT equipment. In January, the PDEA had acquired P90.4 million worth of equipment and vehicles. —JEANNETE I. ANDRADE

Bets warned vs tarpaulins: They contain cadmium

A waste and pollution watchdog on Saturday warned candidates in the May 14 village and youth council elections against the use of tarpaulin as campaign materials because it contained a toxic chemical. EcoWaste Coalition said candidates were likely to make up for a short nine-day campaign period, which starts on May 4, by using tarpaulin posters. Tarpaulins, EcoWaste said, contained PVC plastic which has cadmium, a chemical “extremely harmful to human health.” The group expressed alarm over results of tests made on tarpaulins at printing shops in the cities of Caloocan, Quezon and Taguig. The group tested 10 tarpaulins from selected print shops and the materials yielded cadmium levels of 1,080 to 1,536 parts per million (ppm), exceeding by almost 15 times the European Union’s 100 ppm limit for cadmium content in plastics. —MELVIN GASCON

DPWH signs P5.27-B bridge deal with China

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has entered into a P5.27-billion contract with Chinese contractors to build two bridges across the Pasig River. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar signed the contract on Friday with Lyu Gaohu, of CCCC Highways Consultant Ltd., and Liu Hong, of the China Road and Bridge Corp. The contract covered the survey, design and construction of a bridge in Manila, connecting the Binondo and Intramuros districts, and the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge, connecting Makati and Mandaluyong cities. The projects would be financed partly by grants from the Chinese government. The DPWH would be responsible for road right-of-way acquisition. —JULIE M. AURELIO

OFW dead after fall from employer’s apartment

A Filipino woman working as a domestic helper in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, was killed on Friday after falling from her employer’s sixth floor apartment. Consul General Edgar Badajos, of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah, said the Filipino woman was brought to the hospital but died from head injuries. Badajos said authorities were investigating the case of the woman, whose name was withheld. There are at least 1 million Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. —DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN