HILLTOP, Taytay — Efforts of the Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) to intensify and strengthen the role of the so-called “force multipliers” in every community continue with the giving of lectures on the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPATs). Senior Supt. Rolando B. Anduyan, PPO director, called for re-orientation and re-activation lectures for all the BPATs in the province with the goal of institutionalizing the force multipliers’ role in assisting the police and government officials in maintaining peace and order and the delivery of public safety services in the province. Some 198 BPAT members attended the lectures. (Nel B. Andrade)

FRUIT GAMES

CAMP GEN. PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna — Keeping children in school and away from time-wasting vices was ensured by the Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO) as its operatives confiscated a total of 112 “fruit games” and “video karera” betting machines. Senior Supt. Gilberto Cruz, PPO director, supervised the seizure and ultimate destruction of the devices consistent with the instruction of regional director, Chief Supt. James Melad, for a campaign for “zero illegal gambling” in Region 4-A. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

MASSIVE SEARCH

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is continuing its massive search and rescue operations for four fishermen who went missing on June 19 in waters off Bolinao, Pangasinan. Lt. Jomark Angue, Operation Officer of PCG’s North Luzon District based in San Fernando City, La Union, said yesterday that rescue personnel are still hoping to find fishermen Fred Celino, Arnold Garcia, Domy Delos Santos and Amante Resonable, all Barangays Concordia and Arnedo in Bolinao, alive. The victims were aboard F/B Axl John when it was allegedly hit by an unidentified vessel 78-nautical miles northwest of Bolinao, Pangasinan. (Freddie G. Lazaro and Liezle Basa Iñigo)

BAMBOO PLANTING

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Provincial Bamboo Development Council (PMDC) will plant 70,000 bamboo propagules for this year which will cover 120 hectares of land in various areas in the province. Acting Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao has already approved the P1-million budget for the said endeavor which enjoins the 20 towns and this capital town to participate in a simultaneous planting of bamboo propagules in line with the 1st Bamboo Day Celebration on August 24. Angelique Tuazon from the provincial information office said series of activities will be organized to showcase the many uses of bamboo, like the bamboo shoots cooking contest and an exhibit of various bamboo products available in the province. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

CORDILLERANS JOIN THE LIBERAL PARTY

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Hundreds of Cordillera politicians from the different provinces of the region were expected to take oath before President Benigno S. Aquino III as new members of the ruling party, the Liberal Party (LP) said yesterday. Ifugao Congressman Teddy Baguilat Jr. said that the new members of the local LP chapter will be inducted at the Benguet State University in La Trinidad, Benguet. Baguilat said that Kalinga Congressman Manuel Agyao will be “the catch of the day.” (PIA)