BOKOD, Benguet — An agency of the United Nations (UN) has recognized the Ambuklao and Binga hydroelectric power plants operated by SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet) on Agno River, here, as Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects, it was learned Friday.

The successful registration of the two hydroelectric power plants as CDM projects with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) means that SNAP-Benguet met the criteria for sustainable development under the CDM process.

Ambuklao and Binga hydropower plants will together produce an average of 180,000 carbon emission reduction credits (CERs) per year. (Dexter A. See)

P.D.E.A. raids ‘shabu’ mini-lab

ANTIPOLO CITY — An alleged mini-laboratory for “shabu” (metamphetamine hydrochloride) was raided the other day by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) inside a subdivision in this city.

The Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) reported that a certain Lawrence Chiu, identified by the PDEA as the financier of the home-based shabu-manufacturing laboratory, was arrested in the raid of the house at Block 6, Lot 2, Irvine 1 Subdivision, Filinvest East, here.

The raid was conducted simultaneously with two other anti-drug operations by the PDEA in Pampanga and Quezon City, both allegedly linked to Chiu’s operations in Luzon. (Nel B. Andrade)

Cordillera vies for best P.R.O.

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet — The Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR) was chosen by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as among the top three finalists for the search for the country’s Best Police Regional Office.

The nomination of the PRO-CAR cited the significant gains in the implementation of various programs and projects of the PNP to sustain peace and order efforts in its areas of jurisdiction.

The awarding will be at Camp Crame, Quezon City during the PNP Anniversary on August 8, 2011 with President Benigno S. Aquino III as the honored guest. (Dexter A. See)

C.I.D.G. arrests 2 rape suspects

BOCAUE, Bulacan — Two young men, wanted by the court in a rape case involving a 17-year-old lass in November, 2010, were arrested by police investigators in Barangay Bambang, here and in Barangay Casio in nearby Sta. Maria town.

Chief Insp. Marlon R. Santos, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Bulacan chief, identified the arrested suspects as Jeric dela Paz, 18, and Roberto de Guzman, 19.

Both are students and former classmates of the victim in the case. Santos said the two are accused of raping the victim during a drinking spree at the house of De Guzman in Barangay Sulucan, here. (Freddie C. Velez)

Cavite to combat tandem robbers

The Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) created Friday a motorcycle police team that will counter the operation of elusive riding-in-tandem robbers in the province. Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, PPO director, said the officers and members of the elite police team shall be called Motorized Anti-Street Crime Operatives (MASCO).

Bulalacao made the move after he noted the increasing crime cases involving riding-in-tandem individuals in the province, particularly in Imus, Bacoor, Kawit, and Dasmariñas City. (Anthony Giron)