News Briefs: Feb. 10, 2019

DPWH commits to pay Pangasinan landowners

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has promised to pay debts owed to Pangasinan landowners who lost pieces of real estate property to the 88-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) that has cut travel time to Baguio City to less than four hours.

DPWH signed a commitment at the office of the mayor of Pozorrubio town, Pangasinan province, on Feb. 8.

The commitment was made after at least 200 landowners barricaded a lane of the TPLEx exit in Pozorrubio and the Manila North Road, causing a massive gridlock. —Yolanda Sotelo

P100,000 bounty for Rizal mass shooter

The local government of Teresa town in Rizal province is offering P100,000 for any information that would lead to the arrest of John Albert Araojo, the suspect in the mass shooting that left four people dead and six others wounded.

Teresa Mayor Raul Palino, in a phone interview on Saturday, said police had recovered the motorcycle that Araojo used to flee in the town of Siniloan, Laguna province.

Police said Araojo had come from a drinking spree in the village of Bagumbayan in Teresa around 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 when he suddenly shot and killed bystanders Ruben Francisco and Wilfredo Lukban.

After that, Araojo proceeded to a tricycle terminal and shot driver Celso Bernales, who was then waiting for passengers.

Another bystander, Marvin Miotin, was shot by Araojo and died at a hospital. —Maricar Cinco

Chain saw operator nabbed for guns

Police arrested a chain saw operator in the town of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato province, for alleged illegal possession of high-powered firearms, including grenade launchers.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, police director for the Soccsksargen region, said Romeo Desinio, 41, did not resist arrest.

Rasco said operatives found two M-79 grenade launchers, a 12-gauge shotgun and 12 rifle grenades at Desinio’s house.

Desinio told reporters he kept the firearms “for self defense only” against communist rebels. He admitted the firearms were unlicensed but refused to reveal who gave the weapons to him. —Edwin O. Fernandez

2 soldiers wounded in Cotabato clash with NPA

Two soldiers were wounded in a clash with at least 20 communist rebels in the town of Makilala, North Cotabato province, on Friday, according to the military.

Lt. Col. Rhojun Rosales, 39th Infantry Battalion commander, said soldiers were responding to reports about armed men massing up in the area when they were fired upon.

The gunfight lasted about an hour, Rosales said.

He added that two attack helicopters were sent to the area, prompting residents to flee. —Williamor A. Magbanua