ANGELES CITY — Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said Tuesday that the city government has started laying down the local regulatory and policy environment to cover the operation of establishments that may be involved in human trafficking in this city. “Among my first official acts as mayor was the issuance of Executive Order No. 13 on July 22, 2010 creating the Angeles City Task Force Against Human Trafficking,” said Pamintuan. He said the directive provides for the regulatory and enforcement infrastructure and the social, moral and economic rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking. He vowed to address the problem, which involves a number of nightclubs, in a more long-term and holistic approach with the help of various agencies like the Departments of Justice (DoJ) and Interior and Local Government (DILG). (Franco G. Regala)

C.I.D.G. NETS 24 FISHERMEN

MARIVELES, Bataan —At least 24 fishermen caught in the act of fishing illegally in waters off this town were arrested by police, their catch of 70 kilos were seized, and their boats impounded. The off-shore operation was launched by the local police and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives, led by Chief Inspector Rogarth Campo. The newly-designated CIDG chief for Bataan identified the boat captain as Dante Masbang and his master fisherman as Alfredo Arranchado, both of Northbay Boulvevard, Navotas City. The impounded boat was registered under the name of Alfredo Desabille of Yellowbelle, Navotas. Campo said all those arrested will be charged in court. (Mar T. Supnad)

7 HURT AS 3 TRIKES COLLIDE

SUBIC, Zambales — Seven people were injured when three tricycles collided in a freak accident on the national highway in Barangay Cawag, here, Tuesday. Police Officer 3 Jun dela Cruz of the Subic Police Station, identified the victims as Franklin Herminigildo, Osmundo Novilla, Mama Labe, Roma Manampara, three-year-old Manny Manampara, eight-year-old Archie Baliwag, and Danica Molina, 20. All the victims suffered non-fatal injuries. Investigation showed that Novilla, who was driving the tricycle with license plate 3232-RM, was trying to overtake one tricycle when he collided head-on with the tricycle driven by Herminigildo. Novilla has been placed under arrest and may be charged with reckless driving. (Jonas Reyes)

PANGASINAN PROBE CALLS P.C.S.O. CHIEF

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The Provincial Board of Pangasinan has invited officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to a hearing on October 1 to investigate the operation of small-town lottery (STL). Board Member Alfonso Bince said PCSO Chairperson Margarita Juico is expected to address the provincial board as it inquires why there is no STL in the province. Vice Governor Ferdinand Calimlim said they were interested to know about STL in a bid to understand also whether or not STL can help get rid of the illegal numbers game of “jueteng” in the province. Calimlim said Juico’s appearance before the Sanggunian Panlalawigan may help the provincial board come up with better solutions to combat illegal gambling. Bince and Calimlim, however, clarified that the Board has no decision yet as to the adoption of STL in the province. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)