News Briefs: June 26, 2019

‘Dodong’ rains not enough to refill Angat watershed

MANILA, Philippines — The low pressure area (LPA) being monitored east of the country had developed into a tropical depression and was named “Dodong,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Tuesday.

Based on Pagasa’s projections, light and moderate rains in the next five days due to the southwest monsoon or “habagat” are expected and may elevate the water level in Angat Dam.

But the rainfall would not have any effect on the watershed, due to Dodong’s track away from the country.

The rains would not be enough for the watershed to reach 180 meters above sea level, the minimum operating level for the dam, said Pagasa.

Dodong was spotted some 590 kilometers east northeast of Aparri,Cagayan province, on Tuesday afternoon and was moving northeast at 25 kilometers per hour.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center, it was estimated to be 715 km east northeast of Basco, Batanes, by today.

It was expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday.

Rains are expected for the next 24 hours in Mindoro, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon. Rainy weather will prevail over the western part of the country, including Zambales and Bataan until Saturday afternoon. —Jhesset O. Enano

‘Bikoy’  leaves PNP protective custody

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police has allowed  Peter Joemel Advincula alias “Bikoy” to leave its protective custody.

“Mr. Advincula is free so he is out and not in the custody of the PNP,” PNP spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac said, adding that Bikoy had been out of PNP custody for about two weeks now.

Bikoy had assured the police he would make himself available when needed, he said.

Bikoy had linked members of the Duterte family to the illegal drug trade, but later recanted and accused the opposition of hiring him to destroy the administration. —Jeannette I. Andrade

Panelo: No indication Piñol on way out

MANILA, Philippines — There was no indication that President Duterte was dissatisfied with Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said amid rumors that Piñol was on his way out of the agency.

“[Mr. Duterte] has not mentioned that he was not happy [with the agriculture secretary],” said Panelo, adding that he had not heard any information about a looming revamp in the President’s Cabinet.

Reports surfaced that Piñol might be transferred to the Mindanao Development Authority following the passing of its former chair, Datu Abul Khayr Alonto. —Julie M. Aurelio

Palace backs call to declare Eddie Garcia a national artist

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is supporting calls to declare the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia a national artist in recognition of his contributions to the movie industry for the past 70 years, said presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

“[But] the President is the one to decide, there’s a body that will study that,” he added. Several celebrities are pushing for the conferment of the award on the late screen icon, who died last week at the age of 90. —Julie M. Aurelio