SEC: Aman not authorized to engage in lending, investment
urges public to report unauthorized transactions

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov 23 (PIA) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said Aman Futures Group Phil. Inc (Aman Futures) was not authorize it to engage in lending and investment-taking activities, as these activities require prior authority and registration from the commission.

Aman Futures has been tagged behind the P12-billion pyramiding scam that reportedly victimized around 15,000 people across the country in a get-rich-quick scheme.

In an advisory release November 21, SEC has urged anyone with information relating to the unauthorized activities of the Aman Futures to call their extension office here, with contact number is (52) 480-8272 or 480-8273, and Enforcement and Prosecution Department at (2) 584-6337 or the Complaints and Investigation Division at (2) 584-7652. An email can also be sent at ced@sec.gov.ph.

The Aman Futures is registered with the Commission as a stock corporation as of June 22, 2012 under SEC Reg. CS201211620 with only primary purposes of buying, selling, distributing and marketing at wholesale/retail basis, in so far as may be permitted by law, all kinds of goods such as but not limited to gold, coconut oil, manganese, nickel, ore and any agricultural products, commodities, wares and merchandise of every kind and description.

The commission has furthered advised the public to diligently study offer in order not to be victimized by lending and investment-taking scam, the likes of high or fantastic earning one can get on some business opportunities.

"Think, examine, and diligently study the offer. If you come across any investment offered by phone, e-mail, flyers, newspaper ads or directly by any person, or by any other means, you must ask questions to protect yourself and your money," SEC Bicol regional director Atty. Marilou Duka said.

Duka added that one of the best ways to avoid investment fraud is to ask questions.

"Be skeptical if you are approached by somebody touting an investment opportunity. Ask that person whether he or she is licensed and whether the investment they are promoting is registered with the SEC or with a state. Check out their answers with an unbiased source, such as the SEC or your state securities regulator," she said.

"Know that promises of fast and high profits, with little or no risk, are classic signs of fraud," she said. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

Virac spearheads chess tourney

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Nov. 22 (PIA) -- The municipal government of Virac is spearheading a chess tournament on December 15-16.

The contest is composed of three-category -- Open Invitational Chessfest, 16-under age category, and 12-under category. It primarily aims to develop chess talents among the youths and to avoid them from being exposed to drugs and other similar things.

According to Bonifacio Molina, tournament coordinator, this chess tournament will serve as a venue for chess enthusiasts, particularly the young, to hone their skills.

Interested participants must bring a valid ID or birth certificate and must pay the required registration fee on or before Dec. 15.

Over P35,000-worth of cash and prizes are to be given away. (MAL/EAB-PIA5, Catanduanes)


DENR intensifies campaign on illegal transport of charcoal from Camarines Sur

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Nov. 23 (PIA) -- Camarines Sur Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office (Penro) has intensified its campaign against the hauling and conveyance of wood charcoal from the province.

Camarines Sur Penro chief Atty. Arnel Rodriguez said that he has already directed community ENROs in the cities of Iriga and Naga monitor and prevent the transport of charcoal out of the province without the Certificate of Verification (COVs).

He has also notified the ENROs in the municipalities of Goa and Sipocot to strictly require the drivers or conveyors of the charcoal to present a COV to transport the charcoal.

ENROs were also advised not to issue a transport permit without the clearance coming from the DENR regional office.

Transporting wood charcoal without necessary clearances is a clear violation of DENR Administrative Order 32, issued in 1997.

The indiscriminate cutting of trees in the forest is being attributed to the high charcoal demand in the region and in the neighboring provinces. This in turn, feeds the members of the community to cut the trees even in their tender years just to make a living. If the cutting of trees to make charcoal woods persists, our forests will soon lost its cover. This will make our areas prone to flooding and landslides.

Pursuant to this, a DENR officer can confiscate the tools, implements, and conveyances used in the transport of any paraphernalia that could have been used to illegally cut trees and the making of wood charcoal.

DENR, meanwhile, has scheduled visits to various establishments directly involved in the buying and selling of charcoal, including the identification of the place where the charcoal originated.

“Aside from the stern and continuous reminder that we are sending to our DENR officers, we will also be conducting visits to various sites where there are reported cases of wood charcoal making. We will also check on the vehicles being used to transport the merchandise. If a violation is evident, the jeepney or the vehicle used to conduct an illegal activity will be impounded,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez added that they are also closely coordinating with terminal operators in the province where the charcoal are allegedly being delivered. They have also strengthened coordination with the Philippine National Police and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. Just recently, the group was able to confiscate more than 500 sacks of charcoal in the province on separate operations.

The towns of Tinambac, Calabanga, Pasacao, San Fernando, and Minalabac are considered wood charcoal hotspots where there are rampant production and selling of the said commodity. (MAL/LSM-PIA5, Camarines Sur)



Police probes collapse of mining pit in Camarines Norte town, 3 confirmed dead

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Nov. 22 (PIA) --Police authorities here are investigating the collapse of a mining pit at Sitio Bulaay in Barangay Palanas, Paracale town that resulted to the death of three miners last Tuesday (November 20).

PSSupt. Jose Lipa Capinpin, OIC of the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office (CNPPO) said that in an investigation conducted by the Paracale Municipal Police Station (MPS) the three miners were trapped inside the 300-meter deep mining pit due to the sudden influx of water from adjacent pit while they were conducting guerilla type of mining operation in the area that day at about 5 pm.

Fatalities were identified as Carlo Salen y delos Santos, 37 years old; Luis Sayson y Policarpio, 33 years old; both resident of Barangay Tawig, Paracale; and a certain Jay-Ar, true name and address still unknown as of this writing.

As of this writing, Paracale police and local government authorities are still conducting retrieval operations for unknown number of miners still trapped there.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is still waiting for the report of the municipal DRRMC for possible intervention or assistance needed.

It will be recalled that December last year there were three miners who died due to the blasting of the mining pit in the said barangay.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) has already ordered the closure of the mining area in barangay Palanas after the said incident in December because it is not anymore safe for miners, for the community and for the environment.(MAL/RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte).