BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Tuberculosis (TB) remains to be a health concern among Filipinos especially now that the TB virus has evolved into Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDRTB), a health expert here said Monday.

Dr. Rey Suanding of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) underscored the fact that a new TB virus has evolved and now poses greater risk on the health condition of people with low resistance.

Suanding, for more than a hundred years now Pulmonary TB has not yet been eradicated in the country and now there is MDRTB. (Dexter A. See)

Jolo campaigns for Palawan river

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — Sangguniang Panglalawigan (Provincial Board) Member Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III has called on everyone to vote for Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN).

The movie-television personality-turned politician Revilla made the call during the last SP session at Provincial Capitol’s Legislative Building in this city. The 22-year-old Revilla (true name: Jose Lorenzo H.Bautista) is the youngest SP member. He is currently the chairman of Committee on Barangay Affairs. During the session, Revilla encouraged his colleagues, the SP staff and guests to vote PPUR to be one of N7WN through text and the Internet. (Anthony Giron)

Priest runs with Rizal policemen

TAYTAY, Rizal — Police personnel here have shown their support to the campaign of a retired police officer and a priest dubbed as “Takbo Maharlika Tungo sa Pagkakaisa”, a project which calls for a nationwide awareness on fitness, unity and patriotism for all police personnel and private citizens as well.

Senior Supt. Manuel Cesar Prieto, Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, led his personnel in a symbolic run starting at the PPO headquarters to show their full support to the activity which was simultaneously started by retired Police Chief Superintendent Samson Tucay and Fr. Carmelo Diola of Dilaab Foundation Incorporated Monday in Ilocos Norte. (Nel B. Andrade)

Electronic cigarettes

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — The Department of Health (DoH) Regional Office 3 warned the public Monday against the use of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes. DoH Region 3 Director Rio Magpantay said e-cigarettes heat a liquid nicotine solution in a disposable cartridge, creating vapor that the smoker breathes in and out, appearing to be smoke that is odorless.

However, Magpantay said “e-cigarettes do not help people quit smoking and may even be unsafe for human consumption.” She alleged that the vapor from the e-cigarette may emit substances that are toxic. (Franco G. Regala)

4 involved in felony fall

CAMP JUAN, Ilocos Norte — Police operatives arrested last Sunday four suspected members of “Salisi Gang” operating in Northern Luzon in an entrapment staged in Barangay Poblacion, Solsona town, this province.

Senior Inspector Teddy Rosqueta, Solsona town’s chief of police, identified the arrested as Billy Cabuan, Mary Rose Garay, Alicia Estipular, and Nomer Tenoso.

Rosqueta said that during their interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted they were involved in a swindling case in Dingras, from where a complainant had surfaced to file criminal charges against them. (Freddie G. Lazaro)