NEWSBRIEFS

A passenger plane crash landed and turned turtle on the runway of the Maconacon Municipal Airport in Barangay Malasin in Maconacon town airport, Isabela province at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, slightly injuring the pilot and two passengers, the police said. Based on reports reaching Camp Crame, the accident involved a Cessna passenger/trainer Cyclon aircraft with tail number RP CI336, piloted by Capt. Reynald B. Taquiqui, 56, with passengers Ahmed Farik Hotak, 28, an Iranian student-pilot, and Joseph Vergara, an aircraft mechanic. “Initial investigation conducted by the Maconacon police station disclosed that the front wheel of the aircraft malfunctioned while in the process of landing, causing the pilot to lose control,” Philippine National Police spokesperson Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr. said. The aircraft eventually landed in upside down position, he added. DJ Yap

Six killed in NPA attacks

A string of attacks by communist rebels in Mindanao killed six people, including five security personnel, as the guerrillas pressured the government to release jailed comrades, officials said Wednesday. Two special forces soldiers ambushed while en route to secure a government convoy were among those killed in seven attacks Tuesday initiated by the New People’s Army rebels in eastern Mindanao Island, said military spokesperson Lt. Col. Leopoldo Galon. Another soldier, a policeman, a government militiaman and a village leader also died in the separate attacks. Two guerrillas were wounded and captured after raiding a police outpost in the Davao Oriental provincial capital, Mati City, Galon said. AP

241 Pinoys repatriated from Saudi

Another 241 overseas Filipino workers and their dependents, all repatriates from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, have returned to the country, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The repatriates, including 56 children, arrived Tuesday night on board an Etihad Airlines flight from the western Saudi city. They were met at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 by representatives of the DFA’s office of migrant workers’ affairs and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. In a statement, the DFA on Wednesday said “most of the repatriates, who went beyond the authorized period of stay in Saudi Arabia, were earlier sheltered at the Philippine consulate-operated Seaport Hajj Terminal.” Jerry E. Esplanada

Graft raps vs Silay City officials

An P18 million computerization project has landed officials of Silay City in Negros Occidental in hot water. Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro has ordered the filing of graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Mayor Jose Montelibano; Vice-Mayor Mark Andrew Arthur Golez; Councilors Jose Raymundo Locsin and Joedith Gallego; and former Councilors Michael Maravilla, Mario Torres, Ramon Jison, Warlito Go, Salvador Segovia and April Grace delos Reyes for allegedly improperly procuring an information and communication technology project in 2008. Also ordered charged were City Administrator Ignacio Salmingo; City Treasurer Elsie Jimenea; City Accountant Emmanuel Arsenal; City Legal Officer and Bids and Awards Committee Chair Kara Aimee Quevenco; BAC Members Pepito Hechanova, Jr., Alma dela Cruz, Ricardo Ledesma, Jr., and Sonia Cordero; BAC Secretariat Head Macarse Tionko; BAC Secretariat Members Armin Paredes, Alore Golez, and Vilma Dooma; BAC-Technical Working Group HeadRene Roy Pahilanga; BAC-TWG Members Giovanni Guzon, Jesus Oppus, Arnier Trajera and Jose Genaro Estrañero; and Julieta Cunanan of the Systems and Plan Integrator Development Corporation. The Ombudsman said the direct procurement method violated the Government Procurement Reform Act. Leila B. Salaverria

Palace continues scholarships

The Aquino administration will continue providing scholarships to the children that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said sent “bangkang papel” (paper boats) to Malacanang to communicate their dreams during the early days of her term. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman has committed to continue the scholarships for the three, one of whom is now reportedly one year away from graduating from college. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacañang was still verifying reports that there are still 70 more scholars of the previous administration whose scholarships have reportedly been discontinued and whose enrolment have been made more uncertain. Norman Bordadora