Operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) shot dead a wanted person in Leyte during a brief chase yesterday morning.

He was identified as Emilio Barnaha, an alleged member of the notorious "Waray-Waray Gang" and a resident of Kawayan, Karanga, Leyte.

Barnaha died while being taken to the Karanga District Hospital due to multiple bullet wounds in the body.

Supt. Efren Dalumpines, chief of the PNP-CIDG 8th Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU), said his team was about to serve an arrest warrant against Barnaha at 5:52 a.m. in his house when he opened fire, triggering a shootout.

Barnaha’s four companions managed to escape but police believe they were all wounded due to the shootout. (Aris R. Ilagan)

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Pangasinan Vice Gov. Oscar B. Lambino reiterated yesterday his full support to Charter change.

Lambino favors the shift from the presidential form of goverment to the parliamentary form of government. "I believe that going parliamentary will bring economic stability, boosting progress and development of our country."

He emphasized that the province’s voting population is 1.2 million based on the 2004 elections but at present, new legitimate voters have registered, increasing it to 1.4 million.

Lambino stressed that about 35 percent of the province’s total voting population have signed up in support of Charter change through people’s initiative.

He disclosed that the outcome of the signature movement in Pangasinan has been satisfactory, and it only shows that Pangasinenses support the leadership of President Arroyo, who has expressed her desire for a shift in the form of government.

"As member of ULAP, it is our responsibility to explain to our constituents the advantages of Charter change which will lead to the economic growth, benefiting the Filipino people," he said.

Lambino also said that local officials of Pangasinan stand united and solid towards the realization of the plebiscite on Charter change. (Fa Sison Almazan)

Newly elected auxiliary bishop of Manila, Fr. Broderick Pabillo, yesterday asked the faithful of Manila to pray for him so that he may be able to accomplish his new task.

"I’m asking the faithful in Manila to pray for me for this new task. You see, I don’t know how to be a bishop," Pabillo said in an interview aired over Church-run Radio Veritas, adding that prayers and support of the faithful will help him become a better minister.

Pabillo, however, admitted that when he heard of the news of his appointment, he felt sad, knowing that he will be leaving behind the people of Palawan, whom he had served for seven years.

"It’s really very hard and sad that I have to again transfer," he said.

Pabillo had been the pastor of St. Ezequiel Moreno Parish in Puerto Princesa City.

"When I leave here, I will bring with lots of memories, particularly the memory of your faith and perseverance," he said.

He said Palawan, particularly people in his parish, became close to his heart because this is where he witnessed a community that is united. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)

"What kind of government would be proud of a record boasting of 600 plus activists killed in a span of five years, almost 70 of which are women?" Emmi de Jesus, Gabriela secretary general, said yesterday in reaction to Malacañang’s statement that it has nothing to hide and is, in fact, proud of its human rights record.

"Gabriela wonders where (Presidential Spokesman and Press Sceretary Ignacio) Bunye has been in the last few years. Or if has he been slumbering while on duty. It seems that only he and the executive office he represents are not bothered by the blatant and brazen witchunt set towards leaders, members, and supporters of progressive mass organizations," she said.

According to De Jesus, even international organizations and institutions have expressed alarm over the spate of killings, which particularly targets political activists critical of the US-Arroyo administration.

On May 26, a delegation of prestigious women lawyers from the US arrived to investigate the political repression and persecution of Filipino women.