CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan — The Balanga City Police Station, headed by Superintendent Melecio “Bong” Buslig, was adjudged recently as the “Best Regional PNP Station - Component City Category,” beating bigger PNP stations in other component cities in the region. Buslig was quick to attribute the feat to the support of Mayor Joet S. Garcia whom he said has strengthened the police’s administrative and operational capabilities. Buslig and his men have maintained exceptional peace and order and scored big against illegal gambling with the arrest of suspects in Orani – one Abel Medina of Cavite and one John Paul Recalde and Ronald Companero, both of Laguna, said Bataan Police Director Ricardo Zapata.

O.P.AG. SUPPORT

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government, headed by Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr., is prioritizing a project to help address global warming effects and to implement sustainable coastal resource management program thru a distribution of mangrove seedlings in different local government units (LGUs). Recently, provincial governments through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) has distributed some 23,500 mangrove seedlings to the local government units of Sual, Lingayen, Infanta, Bolinao, Dasol and San Carlos City last November 6, at the Provincial Mangrove Nursery in Bolinao, said Dalisay Moya, Officer-in-Charge of OPAg. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

C.O.A. REPORT

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — The Commission on Audit (COA) has reported that P563 million worth of real and fixed properties of the city government in the years covering 2003, 2004 and 2005 could not be accounted for. The common reason for these discrepancies, according to the COA Report of 2003 which was signed by state auditor Lynn S. F. Sicangco, was “uncompleted inventory” by the city government during the incumbency as mayor of now congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin. City Administrator Dennis Albert Pamintuan, who released the COA report said it is Lazatin’s duty to explain the issue first before questioning petty cash funds supposedly used for food and gasoline by the present city administration of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan. (Franco G. Regala)

SLIPPERY SEVEN

POLILLO, Quezon — Seven inmates, facing cases ranging from simple theft to murder, slipped out of their police detention cell in Barangay Poblacion, here, last Thursday, after sawing through the iron bars. Police Officer 2 Randy Barias, who was on duty at the time of the escape, said it was around 2:30 a.m. of November 8 when he noticed that the cell was empty. The suspects – Mark Anthony Capayas, 18; Leoven Bo, 24; Arnold John  Montano, 24; Melchor Buegis, 43; Santos Penascusas; Arwel Grispor, 33 and Merlito Bo, 26 – are now subjects of a manhunt. (Danny Estacio)

P.D.E.A. RECRUITS

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) announced yesterday that they are now accepting applicants for male and female drug law enforcement officers. PDEA said the applicant must be a passer of the Career Service Professional examination or Board examination or Bar examination, or qualified by the Civil Service Commission or under special laws to be eligible for Career Service Second Level Position. Interested applicants in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) can get a copy of the PDEA Agent Application Form from the PDEA – CAR regional office in Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet or thru download from the agency’s website at www.pdea.gov.ph. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)