TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, Philippines — Officials in Cavite are commemorating Arbor Day on Saturday with simple planting activities in the area. Arbor Day (from the Latin arbor, meaning trees) is an annual ceremonial day when individuals and groups plant and care for trees for Mother Earth.

Arbor Day, which celebration originated in the United States, is observed in the Philippines every June 25. The tree-planting activities in the Philippines are in consonance with the national government’s National Greening Program as embodied in Executive Order No. 26 which President Aquino signed. (Anthony Giron)

Calauag fire hits 17 houses

CALAUAG, Quezon — A predawn fire destroyed a total of 17 houses occupying two blocks at a closely-knit community in on J. P. Rizal Street in Barangay 2, here, Tuesday. Police said the fire broke out at 2:25 a.m. at the house owned by a certain Victoria Llantero.

Strong winds spread the flames to adjoining houses, displacing 33 families. Firemen placed the blaze under controlled at 4:35 a.m. Although there were no reported casualties, fire victims rendered homeless had to be sheltered temporarily at an evacuation center near the municipal hall. (Danny Estacio)

4 baby sale suspects fall

PILILIA, Rizal — Four women tagged by the local Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as alleged members of a syndicate selling babies were arrested here by police Tuesday.

Senior Supt. Manuel Cesar Prieto, Rizal police director, identified the suspects as Susana Martinez, 54 ; Merlita Paet, 55; Luzviminda Paz, 32; and Marie Villanueva, 34, all residents of Tibay Street ni Barangay Wawa, here.

Prieto said two two-day-old infants were recovered from the suspects. They will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003 which is a non-bailable offense. (Madelynne Dominguez)

2 Bulacan rob men arrested

CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan — Two robbery suspects, who allegedly killed a 51-year-old businessman, were arrested by Bulacan police in a follow-up operation in Valenzuela City Monday.

Senior Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., acting Bulacan police director, identified the suspects as Arnel Mariano Fernando, 28, a tricycle driver, of 668 Sulok, Barangay Saluysoy, Meycauayan City and Mark Zamora, alias “Macmac,” of Valenzuela City.

They are now locked up, facing charges of robbery and homicide over the break-in at the house of victim Eduardo Belvez Aquino, of Barangay Saluysoy, Meycauayan City. (Freddie C. Velez)

Free school bags in Rizal

TAYTAY, Rizal — Poor students of a public school in this town received school bags and school supplies from the Taytay Police Station and municipal government officials in the post school opening gift giving activity Tuesday morning.

Chief of police, newly promoted Superintendent Arthur Masungsong personally handed over 300 school bags to grade 1 to grade 3 pupils of Taytay Elementary School (TES).

Another 30 school bags complete with school supplies were distributed to selected grade 4 pupils of the TES while 70 packs of school supplies were separately given to another group of grade 4 kids. (Nel B. Andrade)