TANZA, Cavite — A passenger bus was burned on Thursday by a still unidentified group on Soriano Highway in Barangay Amaya II, here, police reported yesterday. Torched was the Binato Liner bus unit, with Body No. 1127 and license plates WCC-511, which is owned and operated by a resident of Naic, this province. Supt. Romeo B. Desiderio, Police Provincial Office (PPO) information officer, said no one was hurt in the incident which happened at 10 p.m. on February 7. Desiderio stopped short of pinning the blame on communist rebels – known for attacking bus firms that refuse their extortion demands – but confirmed that one of the four armed arsonists allegedly shouted: “That’s for not paying your taxes!” (Anthony Giron)

CENTENNIAL OF LUCIO SAN PEDRO

ANGONO, Rizal — Residents and visitors will gather on Monday in front of the tomb of one of the country’s national artists for music, Lucio D. San Pedro, to celebrate his centennial birth anniversary. Mayor Gerardo “Gerry” Calderon leads local officials in the wreath-laying event at St. Clement Cemetery for the musical artist best known for his classic lullaby, “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.” The Angon Tres-Siete Poetry Society, a group of local poets released a poetry book, “Intervention kina Maestro Lucio at Botong,” as part of the group's tribute to San Pedro and National Artist Francisco “Botong” Francisco. (Nel B. Andrade)

POT SESSION

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — A bus driver, two bus conductors, and a fourth civilian were arrested in an alleged pot session in Sitio Aling on Arellano Street, here, recently, police said yesterday. Supt. Cris Abrahano, chief of police, said sachet of “shabu” and various drug paraphernalia were seized from suspects bus driver Emerson P. dela Cruz, 35; bus conductors Jay Jhon R. Aspiras, 32, and Jonathan P. de Vera, 28; and a certain Rodrigo T. Raposas Jr., 34. They are now facing drugs charges before a Regional Trial Court in this city. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

‘PING’ TURNS OVER 50 MOTORBIKES

CAMP GARCIA, Cavite — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, as chairman of the Philippine National Police Foundation Inc. (PNPFI), will lead the turn over of 50 motorcycles to the Police Provincial Office (PPO) tomorrow at the historic Cuartel, here. Arrival honors await Lacson, a Caviteño, in the event set with the Monday flag-raising ceremony. Lacson will lead the turnover of motorcycles which the PNPFI donated for the PPO. The donation was an offshoot of the assistance pledge of the senator and the PNPFI for the more than 1,700-strong provincial police force. (Anthony Giron)

PRIZED TEACHERS

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Department of Education (DepEd-Quezon) lauded recently the province’s outstanding public school teachers who reaped honors in regional and national level competitions in the past year. Governor David C. Suarez joined DepEd-Quezon Division Schools Superintendent Tolentino Aquino in honoring the teachers during the teachers’ convention held here earlier this week. Among the 2012 achievers were Francisco Oblea of the Panukulan Central Elementary School, and Aurea Evasco of Ungos National High School in Real, both national awardees in Brigada Eskwela Best School Implementer; Reynaldo Cacho of Lopez National Comprehensive School, the UNESCO Bangkok Asia Pacific Video Contest winner. (Danny Estacio)