STA. CRUZ, Laguna — A burglar who operates in the same style as the “Akyat Bahay Gang” was put in jail after allegedly being caught in the act of breaking into a house in Barangay Linga, here, the other night. Probers said Orly Ferrer, 45, of Barangay Patimbao, here, was overpowered by members of the Rivas family who caught him inside their house around 10:20 p.m. on Sunday. Senior Inspector Jaime Pederio, chief of police, said Ferrer was armed with a .38-caliber pistol, which he had just stolen an hour earlier from the house of Decorozo Nolasco, a fish dealer, in the same barangay. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

FAIR WARNING

STA. BARBARA, Pangasinan — Pangasinan District Engineer Marieta Mendoza issued yesterday a warning to supporters of politicians to stop the practice of putting up posters and tarpaulins giving credit to candidates for a government infrastructure project. Mendoza said she is duty-bound to report these violations to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) under an agreement of the poll body with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). She said doing so, particularly in her area covering this town, San Carlos City, Calasiao, Bayambang, Malasiqui, and Mapandan – may be a ground for disqualification of the candidate by the Comelec. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

FATAL IMPACT

HERMOSA, Bataan — A motorcycle rider was crushed to death while his back rider was also seriously injured when their vehicle collided head-on with a speeding sports utility vehicle (SUV) along Roman Highway, Barangay Palihan, here, the other day. Police said the Nissan Terrano (WDX-875) driven by Edwin Eata of Plaridel, Bulacan rammed into the Honda motorcycle driven by Jose Paulo Nuguid, a bus conductor and resident of Barangay Sumalo, here, killing the latter on the spot. Arwie Pangilinan, the back-rider, was lucky to have survived the impact of the collision. He is now recuperating at the Dinalupihan Emergency Hospital. (Mar T. Supnad)

LIVELIHOOD AID

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. has awarded a P750,000 livelihood assistance package to seven cooperatives in the province, benefitting a total of 994 of their members. Six of the seven cooperatives-beneficiaries are Anda KLAP SEA-K Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Poblacion, Anda), Golden Mountain Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Gonzalo, San Quintin), Bantay Bayan Association (Macario Sur, Natividad), Karayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Brgy. San Pedro, Natividad), Balungao Vegetables and Grains Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Poblacion, Balungao) and Maresma Multi-Purpose Cooperative (San Andres, Balungao) are new recipients of the assistance program while Amamperez Women’s Association (Amamperez, Villasis) is on its 4th cycle renewal. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

BICOL LABORATORY

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Bicol University (BU) launched the Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (HGST) Regional Laboratory Center, first and the only one in the Bicol Region at the BU East Campus, Friday, March 1. Dr. Fay Lauraya, university president, said it is a momentous event for the university and the region to be the recipient of HGST, a western digital company engaged in communications and nano-technology, not just in providing employment but more so in attaining world quality education. “Our graduates and on-the-job trainees employed in international companies such as the HGST is a proof that BU meets global standards,” Lauraya said. (PIA)