NPA-affiliated MB members surrender in Nueva Vizcaya

May 8, 2018 | 8:39 pm

FIVE MEMBERS of the Milisyang Bayan (MB), or People’s Militia of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), surrendered to the Northern Luzon Command on May 7 in Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya. The MB members were identified as Walter T. Pulido, Pio P. Kaila, Mario U. Humakey, Delfin U. Domingo, and Fredie Q. Dulnuan. The People’s Militia are considered as “force multipliers” of the regular NPA. Meanwhile, a member of the NPA who was part of the encounter with the 8^th Infantry Battalion (8IB) in Malitbog, Bukidnon last May 4 also surrendered on Monday. The surrenderer, identified as Anaclito S. Sagula Jr., alias Jepy, will undergo interview and psychosocial intervention with the Department of Social Welfare and Development as well as given cash and livelihood assistance by the Department of Interior and Local Government, according to Lieutenant Colonel Ronald M. Illana, 8IB commander. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

MB cancels license of 2 remittance/foreign exchange dealers

May 8, 2018 | 8:38 pm

THE MONETARY Board (MB) has cancelled the registration of World Wide Money Changer and Edzen Enterprises, both with addresses in Mabini Street, Manila, for violations of the anti-money laundering and money exchange rules. In a statement released Tuesday, May 8, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Edzen and World Wide Money, owned by Zenaida M. Artuz and Elliot M. Artuz, respectively, failed to “strictly comply with Republic Act No. 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act)… and the minimum procedures on the sale and purchase of foreign currencies.”

Maute Group sniper arrested in Cubao

May 8, 2018 | 8:37 pm

THE NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested a suspected member of the Maute Group in Cubao, Quezon City on Monday. The suspect, identified as Unday Macadato, was nabbed for illegal possession of a caliber .45 firearm and grenade after a citizen reported that he was brandishing the gun and threatening neighbors and bystanders. Investigation revealed he was a sniper of the Maute Group and included in the government’s list of wanted terrorists. Police Chief Oscar D. Albayalde said terrorist members are known to lie low and try to earn money in Metro Manila to evade authorities. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

99 immigration officers deployed to NAIA for summer season peak

May 8, 2018 | 8:36 pm

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) has started to deploy 99 newly-hired immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as the travel season peaks with the summer break. BI commissioner Jaime H. Morente, in a statement, said with the additional manpower, “these long queues of passengers at our immigration centers at the airport will be reduced, if not totally eliminated.”— Dane Angelo M. Enerio

Iloilo Business Club: Another wage hike in Western Visayas could discourage investors

May 8, 2018 | 8:35 pm

By Louine Hope U. Conserva, Correspondent
ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo Business Club is appealing to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Western Visayas (RTWPB-6) to defer another round of pay hike after last year’s P20 increase in the daily minimum wage.
IBC Executive Director Lea E. Lara said they were finalizing a position paper to be submitted to the RTWPB on May 8, opposing the petition to increase the daily minimum wage in the region by P130 to P150.
The Philippine Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Workers Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (PACIWU-TUCP) filed the wage hike petition in January 2018.
RTWPB chair and Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Johnson G. Cañete earlier said no opposition was lodged on the wage hike during the public hearings conducted in Aklan on April 24 and Capiz on April 26.
“We will be appealing for the board’s consideration to not implement a wage increase this year. As much as possible we would like to give it a status quo because of the increase that was implemented last year which we think has more than covered naman,” Ms. Lara said.
The P20 hike was implemented on March 16, 2017.
“It is more than what is usually granted. At the rate that they’re asking, businessmen could not afford that,” she said, adding that another wage hike this year could affect the investment climate in the region.
“We would like to create a very good climate where investors are coming in and that is something that we want to maintain. If the increase in implemented, we will end up higher than other regions in terms of minimum wage,” she said.
Ms. Lara also cited that the RTWPB should consider the six-month closure of Boracay, which has an overall effect on the region with businesses in Panay providing supplies to the island’s establishments.
The current minimum wage rates in Western Visayas are:
• P323.50 — commercial/industrial and non-agricultural firms employing more than 10 workers
• P271.50 — commercial and non-agricultural employing up to 10 workers; and agricultural non-plantation workers
• P281.50 — agricultural plantation workers
The PACIWU-TUCP’s petition proposed the following increases:
P150 — commercial, industrial, and non-agricultural firms employing more than 10 workers
P130 — commercial and non-agricultural firms employing 10 workers and below
P140 — agricultural/plantation with more than 24 hectares
P130 for agricultural/plantation with 24 hectares and below.

Cebu LGUs buckle down to address worsening traffic congestion

May 8, 2018 | 8:34 pm

TRAFFIC MANAGERS from different local government units (LGUs) in Cebu province will convene today for a summit that aims to address the worsening traffic conditions in the Metro Cebu area. After the summit, the participants are expected to submit a proposed uniform set of traffic rules for Metro Cebu, according to Cebu Governor Hilario P. Davide III. Mr. Davide said the gathering is also intended to solicit reports on the prevailing traffic conditions in the 14 LGUs that are part of Metro Cebu, covering Danao City in the north to Carcar City in the south, including Mactan Island. The Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) is spearheading the event where 70 traffic managers and stakeholders are expected to attend. — The Freeman
>> See the full story on https://goo.gl/a4kqVb

Back-to-back construction, tourism trade shows capitalize on public, private investment boom in Davao

May 8, 2018 | 8:33 pm

WORLDBEX SERVICES International (WSI), organizer of the back-to-back PhilBex and Tourism and Leisure Expo 2018 (TLEX), is eyeing to increase foot traffic in the trade shows to 20,000 from last year’s 16,000, capitalizing on the Davao Region’s upbeat economy. PhilBex Davao is a construction industry exposition, now on its 4^th year, while TLEX, on its 2^nd year, features travel-related companies. “Aside from the (government’s) Build, Build, Build Program… we feel that this expo is really for the (construction) boom in Davao. Our goal is to unite construction design professionals and enthusiasts, and encourage our visitors to think outside the box and create innovative products,” said Carmen Grace P. Paragas, WSI marketing assistant of WSI. This year’s PhilBex Davao also seeks to elevate the way people build and design their spaces with construction innovations and smart home devices. TLEX, on the other hand, has 90 booths and more than 70 exhibitors, including travel agencies, airlines, hotels, resorts, couriers, cruise lines and shipping companies. The events are ongoing at the SM Lanang Premier until May 13. — Maya M. Padillo

Mayor to seek OPAPP intervention after MNLF attempts to set up a camp in Zamboanga City

May 8, 2018 | 8:32 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said she is writing a letter to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and other government agencies after alleged members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) attempted to establish a “camp” in the city. A signage declaring as MNLF camp a property in Anuling, located in the western coast of the city, was recently put up. Following reports from residents, Task Force Zamboanga and police authorities held a dialogue with those in the property and the signage was dismantled. Ms. Climaco, in a statement, said, “The Ad Hoc Joint Action Group has declared the action as illegal and have informed individuals to cease from future attempts to disrupt security in Zamboanga City.” The mayor also called on residents to remain vigilant and to immediately report the presence of suspicious individuals and help stop the establishment of MNLF camps in any part of the city. She said, “The city does not recognize any other camps except those established by legitimate security forces.” A faction of the MNLF under Nur Misuari were responsible for the 2013 siege in Zamboanga, which left a big part of the city in ruins. — Mindanao Bureau

Civilian hostage freed by Abu Sayyaf

May 8, 2018 | 8:31 pm

ONE OF the two civilians abducted with two police officers in Patikul, Sulu was released by the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group on May 5, according to Police Regional Director Graciano J. Mijares of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The freed hostage, Faizal Ahidji, said he was blindfolded and left by the abductors in a forested area in Bangkal Village. He proceeded to the house of his grandmother in Jolo, Sulu, who then brought him to the headquarters of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu on May 7. Mr. Ahidji said the three other hostages, including Police Officer 2 (PO2) Benierose Alvarez and PO1 Dinah Gumahad, were unharmed the last time he saw them with about 12 fully armed Abu Sayyaf members. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

Nation at a Glance — (05/09/18)

May 8, 2018 | 8:30 pm

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Toyota induces ‘Rush’ of excitement with affordable Sport-ute

May 8, 2018 | 8:15 pm

Text and photos by Kap Maceda Aguila

THE wait is over. The buildup that began in February finally culminated in the grand launch of Toyota’s latest product, the Rush, at a Pasay City venue.
Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) president Satoru Suzuki said in a speech that the Rush is envisioned to “[appeal] mainly to city dwellers who want a vehicle that can keep up with their active and exciting lifestyle — a car that is stylish and allows them to express themselves. We are optimistic that this new model will become a popular choice for first-time SUV buyers.”
This is TMP’s sixth SUV/crossover product in the country — joining the Land Cruiser, Prado, Rav4, Fortuner and FJ Cruiser. Significantly though, the company reveals this is its foray into the entry-level SUV niche. People on the lookout for a more affordable SUV or MPV should note the sub-P1 million tags of two of the Rush’s variants. The manual-transmission E goes for P948,000, while the A/T E is priced at P988,000. The top variant G (only available with A/T) breaches the million-peso mark, but by only P70,000.
Toyota boasts the Rush as a feature-packed vehicle despite its “entry-level” tag. The SUV has smart entry, a push-button start/stop system, dual air-conditioning, seven-inch capacitive touchscreen audio system, 17-inch alloy wheels, a built-in roof rail, and other niceties such as 13 total cupholders and, for the G grade, LED head lamps and rear camera. While the E variants have a five-seat configuration (and a trunk space of 514 liters), the G gets two additional collapsible seats.
The Rush makes its case as an SUV through qualities such as high ground clearance (220 millimeters), and generous approach and exit angles (31 degrees and 26 degrees, respectively). It packs a slew of active and passive safety measures such as six SRS air bags, ABS with EBD, traction control, hill-start assist, and an emergency stop signal.
Even as the Rush utilizes the platform of its Avanza MPV sibling, it is markedly larger in length (4,435 millimeters compared to the Avanza’s 4,190 millimeters), and surpasses it in width (up 35 millimeters to 1,695 millimeters), and height (up 10 millimeters to 1,695 millimeters).
There’s an impression that the Rush annexes not just the platform but the 1.5-liter power plant of its stable-mate, but a TMP official clarified that its four-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC, chain-drive with dual VVT-I engine is “same as the Vios” but “sourced differently.” This gasoline-fed engine serves up 102 hp at 6,000 rpm and 134 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm, and finds expression via a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual gearbox. The power train drives the vehicle’s rear wheels.
The Rush is available in Black Metallic, Bordeaux Mica, Bronze Mica Metallic, Dark Red Mica Metallic, Silver Mica Metallic, and white colors.

Peugeot throws in Paris trip with 3008, Traveller purchase

May 8, 2018 | 8:14 pm

PURCHASES of the Peugeot 3008 SUV and Traveller MPV made in May or June come with a trip to Paris. The same trip — with free airfare and three-day accommodations for two — will also be raffled off as a prize to people who test-drive a Peugeot model.
The program, announced last week by top Peugeot Philippines officials, follows a similar promo the company held in 2017.
“Seeing the success of the Drive to Paris promo last year, we are again making history by offering the Parisian vacation of a lifetime to customers… [and] to those who test-drive our new models,” said Glen P. Dasig, president of the French car maker’s distribution outfit in the Philippines.
Last year’s program focused on the Peugeot 308, 5008 and Expert Tepee. Peugeot said it seeks to bring the spotlight this year to the 3008 and Traveller. The latest 3008, according to the brand, has “striking aesthetics, innovative technologies and impeccable driving dynamics” while the Traveller is pitched as an “answer to the need for a premium transport that offers the ultimate comfort for the traveling professional.”
“We believe these two products perfectly embody the brand’s new and bold direction. They defy common yet tired expectations on what mobility should be,” Mr. Dasig said.
Peugeot Philippines Marketing Director Karen S. Carvajal added that since “Peugeot’s unique identity owes much to its French roots… it is only natural that we promote our products and history by taking our customers to the place where our brand originated.”