NEWS BRIEFS

NBI 7 gets new forensic tools

The National Bureau of Investigation – 7 received P3.8 million worth of forensic laboratory equipment.

With the coming of the new equipment, NBI-7 Regional Director Antonio Pagatpat is expecting  improvements in the conduct of  forensic investigation.

He said with the advances in forensic science, testimonial and material evidence get stronger with scientific evidence.

The new equipment include two autopsy tables, a dissecting table, an examination table for sexual abuse victims, microscope, refrigirator for storage of body tissues and a dissecting set.

Dr. Rene Cam, medico-legal officer of the NBI-7, said new equipment would help them solve crimes faster.

He said the NBI-7 medico-legal officer usually conduct autopsies at the morgues but may stop the practice since they now have their own equipment./Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol

MLC sustains anti-flyover campaign

The citizen’s group opposed to the construction of flyovers in Cebu vows to sustain their advocacy even if the budget of the proposed infrastructures have been reverted.

The Movement for a Livable Cebu (MLC) further wants proper consultation on development projects.

According to Rudy Alix, convenor of the MLC, they are pushing for a comprehensive development planning for Metro Cebu and they are supporting the vision of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) for a Mega Cebu in 2015.

He added that they remain vigilant amid reports that the proposal to build four new flyovers will be revived in 2015.

Meanwhile, the youth arm of the MLC, the Youth for Livable Cebu (YLC) have pushed for  the establishment of bike lanes and sidewalks to increase mobility among the populace.

“There should be 95 percent mobility for those who have no cars,” Alix said in support of the YLC which held a Haruhay Festival last Saturday in the University of the Philippines – Cebu. /Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao

Cebuano general guns for the Senate

A retired military general who was the deputy chief of the Philippine Constabulary during  Martial Law courted Cebuanos to support his bid to become a senator.

Retired major general Ramon Montaño, a Cebuano, visited his hometown yesterday to swear in 300 anti-crime volunteers under the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabayan (RAM).

“In my campaign visits, peace and order remains to be a major concern of residents.  The rich and the powerful do not go to jail while  it is easy to just kill the poor,” he said.

Montaño was born in Cebu City and attended elementary and high schools at the Collegio del Sto. Niño before the he joined the Philippine Military Academy and graduated as the youngest in his batch  in 1958.

Although an independent candidate, Montaño is confident that he will eventually make it to the top 12 senatorial seats in the election with the support of other men in uniform and anti-crime volunteer groups./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac