PULILAN, Bulacan — A 34-year-old woman reportedly involved in drug trafficking was shot to death while her younger sister was critically wounded by two unidentified gunmen riding in tandem the other night in Barangay Tabon here, police said Thursday.

Police identified the fatality as Alicia Manalad. She died on the spot due to gunshot wounds in the head. Her sister April, 19, survived the attack with a gunshot wound in the back. She is now under observation at the Good Shepherd Hospital here.

Investigation showed that while the sisters were walking on their way home, two unidentified gunmen riding in tandem on a Suzuki motorcycle with license plate number 3554-RD emerged from nowhere and without provocation fired at the victims. Based on police records, it was learned that the slain victim has pending illegal drugs charges at the municipal trial court here and is included in the Philippine National Police (PNP) drug watchlist. (Freddie C. Velez)

Squatters still at watershed

BAGUIO CITY — Despite a standing demolition order for the eviction of hundreds of squatters within this mountain resort city’s premier watershed, Busol watershed, the city government recorded a sudden increase in the number of illegal structures built within the said watershed since the local government issued demolition orders during the middle part of this year.

From the earlier recorded 320 illegal structures which were illegal built in the primary source of water for Baguio and Benguet, the city buildings and architecture office reported there are now 435 new structures within the watershed since unscrupulous individuals, including government employees, have willfully erected their houses in the said reservation.

Local officials cited the alarming increase in the number of informal settlers in the watershed could heavily result in the depletion of the city’s water supply in the coming years if nothing is done to prevent the mushrooming of houses.

In as much as the local government wants to effect all existing demolition orders to send a message to the squatters, it could not do so because of the existence of a writ of preliminary injunction issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in the Cordillera which restrained the city government from enforcing an order for the demolition of illegal structures in the watershed that was handed down by no less than the Supreme Court (SC). Worst, most of the over 400 new structures are allegedly owned by government employees from the different national government agencies in the region. (Dexter A. See)

‘Pasko sa Clark’ set

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced the staging of this year’s “Pasko sa Clark ’09” from December 14 to 20 at the parade ground here. CDC President Benigno N. Ricafort said this year’s Pasko sa Clark is expected to be bigger and better as more events and activities are lined-up in the week-long Clark festivities as local and foreign tourists are expected to troop the zone this Yuletide season.

It was announced during the press briefings Thursday held at Salt Restaurant, Hotel Vida inside Clark. Aside from the bigger Christmas Bazaar, Ricafort said organizers of the event included several activities expected to enliven festive mood in Clark. Pasko sa Clark ’09 co-chair Bernardo Angeles Jr. said to make the festivities lively the CDC decided to include Street Dancing Competition, Aeta Tribal Dance Competition, Himig Pasko Chorale Competition, Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, Cultural Presentation, Car-Motor-Mountain Bike Shows and Competitions, and Clark Ultimate Christmas Frisbee Tournament in this year’s event.

Angeles, also assistant vice president for Investment and Promotions, added that there will be fun rides, food concessionaires, nightly live bands and fireworks displays to attract more visitors and shoppers to troop Clark’s Parade ground. The event will be highlighted by the sale of various garments (exports overrun), appliances and electronic items that are “Made in Clark," Angeles said. (Franco G. Regala)