BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Bishop Carlito Cenzon of the Diocese of Baguio has ordered an investigation into the reported walkout of pro-reproductive health bill advocates during mass.

Cenzon said the walkout was said to have been triggered by the homily of the officiating priest.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) opposes the passage of the reproductive health bill. Cenzon said there is a need to look into the homily, in which the priest reportedly asked churchgoers to leave if they support the bill.

The bishop said priests are governed by general guidelines when delivering homilies. But he declined to comment on whether the priest will be meted sanctions if he is found to have violated the guidelines. (DEXTER A. SEE)

3 fishing boats held

CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan- Three more fishing boats were seized in Bataan by police who were going after illegal fishers.

Sr. Supt. Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan police chief, said a fishing boat and its occupants were apprehended the  watersbetween Balanga and Pilar towns.

Two other boats were impounded by local police and the 18th Special Forces Riverine company.

Gumacao aid that his men arrested a group of fishermen headed by Rodolfo Mayor of San Pascual, Hagonoy, Bulacan, aboard M/V Norway along the coast of Balanga and Pilar. (Mar T. Supnad)

Stolen car recovered

CAMP GENERAL ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan — Police in Bulacan recovered in San Jose Del Monte City a car believed to have been stolen.

Supt. Rodolfo C. Hernandez, San Jose Del Monte police chief, said the gray Toyota Hi-Lux with plate number REY 254, engine no. IKD 7152728, chassis no. MROFZ29GX-01537837, was reportedly stolen on April 16 along McArthur Highway in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

The car was seized from its owner, Joseph Jay Fernandez, 31, San Jose St. Sto. Domingo, Angeles City, by four men with guns. One of the suspects was later identified through police photos shown to Fernandez and witnesses as Philip Santos y Deniega. (Freddie C. Velez)

Smoke test centers warned

PILAR, Bataan — A top official of the Land Transportation Office reiterated its warning yesterday to erring operators of smoke emission centers that they face sanctions if they continue to break the Clear Air Act law. LTO chief for Bataan Reynaldo J. Cortez, gave the stern warning following reports that some of the operators were violating procedures in testing vehicles.

Among the violations were hidden plate numbers, unreadable and blurred plate numbers. Emmanuel Da Jose, who was detailed three years as LTO district chief here, admitted there were a number of smoke emission centers that severely violated policies by allowing “non-appearance” of vehicles. (Mar T. Supnad)

Budget approved

The Sangguniang Panglalawigan of Cavite has approved the P126-million supplemental budget for the construction of a public hospital and a slaughterhouse in Dasmariñas City before it adjourned for the Holy Week break.

Dasmariñas Mayor Jennifer Austria-Barzaga ratified the supplemental budget resolution after it was passed by the 15-man council led by Vice Mayor Valeriano S. Encabo on April 4. (Anthony Giron)