Army unit facilitates release of captured sea turtle in Castilla

By Benilda A. Recebido

CASTILLA, Sorsogon Feb 27 (PIA) -- A sea turtle locally known as “pawikan” measuring 29 inches length and 27 inches width was caught by a fisherman and brought to the 903rd Brigade headquarters on Friday, February 22.

903rd Bde Spokesperson Capt. Mardjorie Paimela P. Panesa, said The turtle was brought to the headquarters by Eugene I. Gilliam, a Bantay-Dagat member, who also reported that it was seen captured by a certain, Welard Camata, a fisherman in the same town.

“Immediately, we reported the incident to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Menro), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Provincial ENRO-LGU, the primary agencies concerned for recovery and release of marine species as such. Our brigade assisted them in releasing the turtle at the seaport of Brgy. Poblacion, Castilla, Sorsogon,” said Capt. Panesa.

She also said that no BFAR tag was seen in the turtle, an indication that it was captured and released for the first time. However, since there was no available tag at that time, BFAR instead tied a plastic knot at the lower part of the turtle’s shell for marking purposes.

Colonel Joselito E. Kakilala, 903rd Brigade commander said, it was the first time he saw a pawikan caught since he was installed as brigade commander.

He reminded local residents, especially those residing in the coastal barangays of Castilla to immediately report and inform concerned agencies or report to the 903rd Brigade once they catch marine turtles.

He likewise appealed to the local folks not to capture, slaughter, nor eat such endangered species because there are penalties set for those who will be caught doing so. “As responsible citizens, we should be protectors of these marine species because nowadays, pawikans are rarely to be seen,” he added. (PA/BAR-PIA5, Sorsogon)


Compensation law gives true meaning to EDSA, says Bicolano legislator

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The signing of the reparation law, which will provide P10 billion in compensation to human rights victims of martial law, gives true meaning to the celebration of the 27th anniversary of the EDSA revolt, according to a Bicolano senator.

Sen. Francis Escudero, in an email to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) regional office in Bicol, said the law, aside from providing financial compensation, significantly provides recognition to Filipinos who suffered under the martial rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, sponsored the measure, known as the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2012.

The signing of the law during the People Power revolt festivities was fitting since the events of 1986 that led to the ouster of Marcos and Cory Aquino’s ascendance to the presidency marked the beginning of the rendering of justice for martial law victims, Escudero noted.

“While it took all of 27 years for the state to finally recognize the atrocities it inflicted on Filipinos whose democratic rights were suppressed under Marcos, the compensation law seeks to give justice to victims of the dark days of oppression and hopefully give an assurance that it will not happen again,” Escudero said.

In the same email, Escudero said that under the law, the amount of compensation to be awarded to the victims is proportionate to the gravity of the offense inflicted on them through a point system that is a basic component of the law.

Victims who died or who disappeared are given 10 points, while those tortured and, or sexually abused gets from six to nine points, for instance.

Political detainees get from three to five points while those who can prove that their rights were violated under the Act are awarded from one to two points.

Escudero noted that the Marcos compensation law is unique since it is the first time that a state recognizes a previous administration’s abuse on its citizens through reparation and recognition.

He said the recognition given under the law provides victims of martial law who do not need financial compensation the rendering of justice from the state.

“The expanded coverage of the law includes not only monetary compensation but also non-monetary benefits such as social and psychological assistance on victims of atrocities through different concerned government agencies. Instead of merely calling it compensation bill, we now call it the reparation bill,” Escudero said.

The law also created a Human Rights Claim Board from where a victim of human rights violation during the Marcos regime is qualified to file a claim as stated in section 16 of the Act.

Also under the law all those involved in the class and direct action suit in Hawaii against Marcos and all victims recognized by the Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani Foundation were accorded the same conclusive presumption of being human rights victims defined under the law.

“Conclusive presumption means that any person who has secured or can secure a favorable judgment or award of damages from any court in the country arising from human-rights violation shall be considered conclusively as a victim without need of further proof,” Escudero said.

Those who will seek relief through the law for the first time may claim compensation under section 18 which states that “the Board may take judicial notice motu propio of individual persons who suffered human rights violations.”

The compensations will come from a P10-billion fund held in escrow, plus accrued interest, which was part of the amount transferred to the Philippine government by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court as part of the billions of pesos the Marcoses were suspected to have stashed
abroad. (MAL-PIA5/Office of Sen. Escudero)


Local univ Photo Society conducts photography workshop

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- In celebration of the National Arts Month, the Catanduanes State University (CSU) Photo Society mounted “Muklat” photography workshop on February 20.

The lectures included Photography 101, Basic Camera Operations and Control, The Exposure Triangle, Photojournalism, and Introduction to Street Photography.

Muklat is a Catanduanes-Bicol word which means wide-opened eyes, or in a more broader context, as the workshop embodies, a fully awakened faculty of senses.

Bren Garette Z. Rivera, a BSEd student and CSU Photo Society Creative Director, steered the lecture-discussion together with the officers of the organization.

Rivera said the workshop’s “Timing opens a new door to creative and productive activities for our age group, especially with the present torrent of innovation in media.”

He added that the activity also serves as a springboard for their group to invite students to enhance and develop their artistic and aesthetic sensibilities, particularly in photography.

The CSU Photo Society aims to provide a responsive and supportive forum for students interested in photography. It also aspires to enable its members to express their artistic voice, participate in activities which will enhance their understanding and appreciation of the photographic medium, and allow an opportunity to exhibit, discuss, and critique their photographic work.

The officers of CSU Photo Society are Bren Garette Z. Rivera, BSEd-English III, Creative Director/Arts Committee Head; Jan Keith A. Abundo, BSEd-English, Managing Director/Outreach Director; Jerard Paul V. Tulod, BSCE II, Associate Managing Director/Academic Committee Head; Charis R. Solo, BSInfoTech I Secretary/Membership Committee Head; Jordan T. Ignacio, BSIT-DT I, Property Manager/Finance Committee Head; John Bryan C. Laguda, BSInfoTech IV, Socio-Cultural Committee Head; and Maria Concepcion Suarez-Vera, Adviser.

The CSU Statesman, the official tertiary student publication of the University co-sponsored the event. (MAL/EAB/GSRubio-CSU/PIA5)

PNR conducts test run on Naga-Legazpi route

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Railways (PNR) Mayon Limited has completed its test run plying the five-hour trip from this city en route to the Legazpi City and another 3-hour travel vice versa.

In a press conference prior to the test run, PNR spokesman Paul De Quiros said that PNR manager Jun Ragrario has instructed his team to fast track the rehabilitation efforts to realize the train’s Southbound trip this coming March.

“GM Ragrario really wants this route completed as soon as possible to serve as alternative route for commuters,” De Quiros stated.

The full operation of the train transportation would benefit regular commuters particularly those working in Legazpi City with the current condition of the Pawili Bridge in Bula, Camarines Sur which is now undergoing repair and rehabilitation.

The project is also pursuant to the government’s commitment for the total rehabilitation of the railways and provision of safe and convenient transportation alternative to the riding public.

PNR Camarines Sur spokesperson Armi Asur-Gagnon meanwhile said that the management is hopeful that the ordinary train trip will start its operation on the first week of March.

“The PNR management is really looking forward to the Legazpi-Naga train trips but we would like to reiterate our call for those living along the rail roads to strictly adhere to the three-meter distance. We have constantly reminded them about this for their own safety,” Gagnon added.

The ordinary three-coach train has a 240-sitting capacity and well-ventilated seats allotted for comfortable travel.

It also offers a cheaper fare of P82 and a minimum of one a half hour travel from this city to Legaspi City and vice versa. First trip schedule will be 5 a.m. from Naga station then 10:30 a.m. vice versa.

The second trip will leave at 2 p.m. from the Naga Station and will again leave Legaspi station at 5 p.m. (MAL/LSM-PIA5)



PDEA-5 dismantles drug den in Legazpi

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 27 -- Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) provincial office here apprehended seven suspected illegal drug pushers and users that also led to the discovery and dismantling of a drug den in this city on February 12.

PDEA Albay team apprehended one suspect in a buy bust operation after he sold methamphetamine hydrochloride to a pseudo buyer from the agency in the vicinity of Bariada Road, Brgy Bitano, Legazpi City.

His runner, according to the agency's report, attempted to elude arrest by going to the suspect's residence, which was being utilized as a drug den. Operatives who ran after the suspect were able to catch him and arrest other personalities caught in the act of using shabu in the said address.

Operatives also seized from the alleged drug den one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu and several paraphernalia such as foil, scissor, tooter, and lighter.

PDEA Bicol regional director Archie A Grande lauded the efforts of PDEA Albay operatives in the discovery and dismantling of the first drug den in Bicol Region.

"Information shared by concerned citizens and confidential informants have become an essential part in the success of the Agency’s anti-drug operations. Bicolanos should become more vigilant in the war against drugs to protect their children’s future and safety,” he said.

Cases for violation of Section 5 (Sale) in relation to 26B (Conspiracy), Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den), Section 7 (Visitor of a Drug Den) and Section 12 (Drug Paraphernalia) of Article II of Republic Act 9165 has been filed in court. (PDEA/MAL-PIA 5)