CEBU – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 is set to file charges against two alleged pimps in connection with a raid inside a bar in downtown Cebu that resulted in the rescue of at least 17 commercial sex workers (CSWs). Senior Insp. Ricky Meron of CIDG 7 said they will be filing charges for anti-trafficking of persons against Janice Leyson and Rosalie Lumungsod. The two allegedly coddled 17 CSWs inside the Hotrad Bar along Mango Avenue, this city. Meron said the raid took place after they received information of prostitution inside the said bar. The CIDG 7 used a police decoy and acted as a customer looking for a CSW. CIDG 7 elements immediately swooped into the bar after confirming the information that prostitution was going on in the establishment, and arrested the two alleged pimps. The 17 CSWs were brought to the CIDG 7 headquarters. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr. )

Killing of Negros political bet’s men probed

BACOLOD CITY (PNA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is still probing the motive behind the killing of the political coordinator of Negros Occidental Third District congressional candidate Ted Lizares-Jimenez in Murcia. The victim, Rogelio Garcia, died on the spot when he was shot by unidentified suspects in Purok Paho, Barangay Canlandog, Murcia past 9 p.m. a week ago. Also killed in the incident was Garcia’s assistant, Errol Lubria. Their killings are initially believed to be the handiwork of a political group, because they are among the key leaders of Jimenez in the said town. Initial investigation revealed that the two men were on board a Rusi 110 Motorcycle along with Dennis Mahusay, a member of the Citizens’ Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), when ambushed by gunmen. Mahusay survived the incident and fled going to Canlandog, supporters of Jimenez said. Suspects in the killing of the two men are still unidentified even as the Municipal Police of Murcia was placed on heightened alert status. Investigators already ruled out the possibility of robbery after they found out that some P70,000 in cash were found untouched and still crammed inside the pocket of Garcia’s pants.

Stable power to give jobs to Iloilo locals

ILOILO CITY, April 26 (PNA) – The stable power supply that will soon be offered by this city is certain to bring more opportunities, particularly employment to thousands of Ilonggos living here, said former Justice Secretary Franklin Drilon, who is a native of Iloilo. Drilon, who is running for Senator under the Liberal Party banner was on a visit to Iloilo City recently. Meeting with local media, Drilon pointed to the soon-to-commence coal-fired power plant to be operated by the Global Business Power Corporation (GPBC) which is intended to address the city’s insufficient power supply. He said that about 80-megawatts of the GPBC’s proposed 160-megawatt power plant will be made available by yearend 2010. The Philippine Senate bet expressed his appreciation to banking and business tycoon George Ty for bringing the said billion-peso power project in Iloilo. He also said that Megaworld would soon put up a hotel, a convention center and call center building here. By then, Drilon said he was confident that the city would already have sufficiently provided the city’s power needs. Megaworld owns property in the area which used to be the site of the old Iloilo airport.