The police and military yesterday seized firearms, bullets, and explosives during a raid on an abandoned house in Barangay Bano East, Tanauan, Batangas.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesman Maj. Augusto de la Pena said that joint operatives of the 740th Combat Group (CG) of the PAF, Armed Forces Southern Intelligence Group, Tanauan police, and the Batangas police discovered the cache at 3:30 a.m.

Authorities seized three sacks with 21 60-mm mortar rounds, 12 81-mm mortar rounds, a warhead measuring 2.75-inches high, several high-powered firearms, and explosives, among others.

The raid was conducted following a tip received by authorities on the guns and explosives, which are now under the custody of the 740th CG, stored inside the house, which was known to be a lair of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Investigation is now being conducted to determine if these were taken from the Armed Forces armory. (Aris R. Ilagan)

A former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) allegedly committed suicide inside her rented condominium unit in Pasay City.

Sr. Supt. Rosendo Franco, Pasay police chief, identified the alleged suicide as Mary Grace Maya, 31, of Unit 209, Pearl Mega Condominium, 667 Argente St., Pasay.

Her decomposing body was discovered hanging under a stairway with a blue nylon cord looped around her neck.

Before the discovery of Maya’s body, tenants complained of foul odor from her place.

The management of Pearl Mega Condominium sought the assistance of policemen who, together with building maintenance worker Charlie Regondula, forcibly opened up the main entrance door where they discovered Maya’s body.

However, case officer PO3 Marianito Agas was forced to conduct another investigation when yesterday morning, Maya’s relatives appeared at the police station, informing lawmen that several men were seen at her condominium unit a few days prior before the discovery of her remains. (James I. Catapusan)

MAUBAN, Quezon — Officials of the towns of Tayabas, Lucban, Sampaloc, and here, this province, joined Quezon Rep. Rafael P. Nantes and Mayor Fernando Llamas of this town in thanking President Arroyo for the Tayabas-Mauban-LucbanSampaloc Circumferential Road project.

Llamas cited the efforts of Nantes, who, along with Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Region 4-A Director Bonner Seguit of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), discussed with President Arroyo the transfer of the foreign-assisted road project from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the national government with the DPWH as the implementing agency.

He said residents of the four municipalities who are the beneficiaries of the project thanked Nantes, Ebdane, Seguit, and Arroyo for their efforts in continuing the project.

Llamas said people of Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, and Tayabas had suffered when the project’s first contractor was terminated due to its defective equipment and the next contractor backed out as a result of the failure of the ADB to pay its services, blamed on the delayed release of funds.

Llamas is optimistic that economic development in the area will accelerate as soon the project is completed. (DNM)

Over 4,000 members of the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino (NMPP) became the latest beneficiaries of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Lorna Fajardo said the R1,200 premium each of the new PhilHealth members was shouldered by the Quezon City and the national government.

NMPP officials film director Joel Lamangan, president; and movie stars Richard Gomez and Rez Cortez thanked Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. for helping the film industry workers become members of the PhilHealth at the awarding of their PhilHealth cards at the Amoranto Sports Complex on Roces Ave. in Quezon City.

They said "film industry workers deserve help they can get, and for this reason, the NMPP is preparing and finalizing a livelihood assistance program for members."

Lamangan, Gomez, and Cortez disclosed they are preparing a housing program for NMPP members.

Councilor Ariel Inton Jr., Quezon City Council majority leader, who represented Belmonte in the affair, lauded the NMPP’s contributions to the country, describing its members as "the unsung heroes of the local film industry."

Fajardo said the PhilHealth card gives NMPP members dignity and quality health service, saying, "Hindi na kayo mga charity patients, you are now paying patients and now you have dignity at kalidad pa ang serbisyong makukuha ninyo as PhilHealth members." (Sel A. Baysa)