Criminal and administrative charges are now being prepared against elements of the highway patrol group who allegedly confiscated the blaring siren of a city government vehicle during a random road inspection last July 10.
“Even if there is a marching order from the President to disallow blaring sirens, the President is not the law,” stressed Co, noting that law enforcers have to follow due process in confiscating sirens.
It can be recalled that a team from the Constabulary Highway Patrol Group (CHPG) flagged down at Brgy. Tiguma the government-owned gray Mitsubishi Strada pickup bearing plate number FGZ 424, and driven by Jigger Ordoño on way to Ozamiz City.
The patrolling officers, whose names were not yet revealed, allegedly inspected the vehicle, and upon finding the siren, cut the wires and confiscated the gadget. When the news broke out, City Mayor Sammy Co expressed disgust over the seizure and branded the officers as “disrespectful.”
Presidential Decree No. 96 declares the use or attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including domelights, blinkers and other flashing devices on motor vehicles unlawful.
In a briefing, Co revealed his legal team has already prepared six affidavits of witness testifying the incident and has built arguments, particularly on warrantless search, strengthening the case.
Co said the vehicle had no traffic violation when it was flagged down. He added that the patrol officers labeled the flagged down vehicle, which was stopped by the officers just a hundred meters from Co’s residence, as “unserviceable.”
“The city government and I in my personal capacity as city mayor is definitely filing the charges against the patrol officers,” squealed Co, reiterating that the incident involved illegal search.
He further stressed it was a violation of human rights and that the involved officers have to face the consequence of their actions.
Further, the city mayor criticized some members of the highway patrol group for the reports that they are allegedly “flagging down vehicles of the good citizen.” The mayor cited incidents of extortion that has reach the city hall.
He disclosed that vehicle owners in Pagadian City have repeatedly complained about alleged extortion activities or street “kotongs” on the national highway.
In conclusion, Mayor Co challenged the highway patrol, “Why can’t they recover carnapped vehicles?” The mayor noted that only the police force is recovering stolen vehicles and that the highway patrol group should have intensified drive against carnapping instead of flagging down vehicles of good citizens.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Installation of cctv camera pushed
Pagadian City – Various groups have encourage business sectors to fix security cameras at their establishments to deter crimes of thievery, robbery and even murder.
Board Member Ernesto Mondarte disclosed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is now pushing for a resolution urging business owners, banks, cooperatives and jewelry stores in Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City to mount close-circuit television (cctv) cameras to monitor activities around their business establishments.
Citing the recent Banco de Oro robbery incident, Mondarte stressed that if security cameras are fixed on the vicinity, potential robbers are discouraged to pursue their motives. He added that monitoring cameras would also help police authorities in identifying the crime groups and other personalities.
City Mayor Sammy Co, on the other hand, disclosed that a multi-million security camera would be installed along the streets and at vital government buildings next year. Mayor Co emphasized that cctv’s play important roles in preserving peace and order as the equipment would allow police force to intensify monitoring and surveillance operations.
He admitted that the present surveillance cameras of the city government, which costs about P3 million, are less efficient outdoors. The cameras are still operational but are focused just within the surrounding area of the city hall.
“The city government is planning to acquire state-of-the-art camera systems to be installed at different locations in the city,” said Mayor Co, adding that he prefers U.S. made cameras that are more sophisticated and efficient.
Police Chief Inspector Michael Palermo also urged business establishments to install cctv cameras on their locations. The police chief stressed big businesses and banks are most likely become subjects of robbery considering the large flow of cash money they handle.
In another development, Mayor Co is having second thoughts on installing traffic lights along the busiest streets in the city. Co explained it is possible that traffic lights will slow down traffic, as motorists have to stop at red lights even if the street is available.
The Mayor also noted that city blocks of Pagadian are small that vehicles could easily congest part of the streets if traffic lights operate.
“However, we will try to set up the traffic lights if we can achieve smoother traffic flow,” Co said, adding that the city government may launch the traffic light system simultaneously with the opening of the City Commercial Complex (C3).
Board Member Ernesto Mondarte disclosed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is now pushing for a resolution urging business owners, banks, cooperatives and jewelry stores in Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City to mount close-circuit television (cctv) cameras to monitor activities around their business establishments.
Citing the recent Banco de Oro robbery incident, Mondarte stressed that if security cameras are fixed on the vicinity, potential robbers are discouraged to pursue their motives. He added that monitoring cameras would also help police authorities in identifying the crime groups and other personalities.
City Mayor Sammy Co, on the other hand, disclosed that a multi-million security camera would be installed along the streets and at vital government buildings next year. Mayor Co emphasized that cctv’s play important roles in preserving peace and order as the equipment would allow police force to intensify monitoring and surveillance operations.
He admitted that the present surveillance cameras of the city government, which costs about P3 million, are less efficient outdoors. The cameras are still operational but are focused just within the surrounding area of the city hall.
“The city government is planning to acquire state-of-the-art camera systems to be installed at different locations in the city,” said Mayor Co, adding that he prefers U.S. made cameras that are more sophisticated and efficient.
Police Chief Inspector Michael Palermo also urged business establishments to install cctv cameras on their locations. The police chief stressed big businesses and banks are most likely become subjects of robbery considering the large flow of cash money they handle.
In another development, Mayor Co is having second thoughts on installing traffic lights along the busiest streets in the city. Co explained it is possible that traffic lights will slow down traffic, as motorists have to stop at red lights even if the street is available.
The Mayor also noted that city blocks of Pagadian are small that vehicles could easily congest part of the streets if traffic lights operate.
“However, we will try to set up the traffic lights if we can achieve smoother traffic flow,” Co said, adding that the city government may launch the traffic light system simultaneously with the opening of the City Commercial Complex (C3).
Privatization of hydro power plants opposed
The Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AMRECO) is opposing the impending privatization of all hydro power plants owned by the National Power Corporation (NPC) in Mindanao.
The energy group is passing advisories enjoining electric distributors to coordinate with sangguniang bayan and barangay councils in Mindanao who wish to declare resolution contesting said privatization as provided for in R.A. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.
The resolutions will be presented to Pres. Noynoy Aquino during a scheduled conference with barangay officials in Manila on July 29-30, 2010.
Under R.A. 9136, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) is in charge of disposing all assets of NPC in Mindanao ten years after enactment of R.A. 9136 on June 8, 2001.
Accordingly, the NPC properties that will be sold to the public include the geothermal plant in Mt. Apo, the coal-fed plant in Mis. Oriental, the six agus hydro plants in Lanao del Norte, and the Pulangi 4 plant in Bukidnon, among others.
NPC assets in Luzon and the Visayas were disposed of and were privatized. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which provide energy transmission lines, is also a private entity.
The Aboitiz Power Corporation, which owns the Davao Light, and the Alson’s (Alcantara Group) has signified interest to acquire the NPC assets in Mindanao. Figures as to the actual cost of NPC properties are not yet available.
In the advisory, Clint DG Pacana, AMRECO Executive Director, argued the looming privatization might even raise power rates even more. He stressed that private owners would pass on charges and that they would recover amount of acquisition at soaring rates.
It was learned that after the power barges 117 and 118 were sold in February 2010, electric rates moved up. Pacana described further the privatization as reversing the objective of lowering the cost of electricity.
AMRECO is also soliciting the support of the media and other civic organizations to push against the privatization. Religious and student groups were also tapped to file resolutions opposing the auction of the remaining NPC properties.
Unconfirmed reports also said that the 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-Care) is lobbying for the scrapping of some provisions of R.A. 9136 to prevent privatization of the remaining NPC ownership.
Meantime, ZAMSURECO I Information Officer Levi Cabatcha revealed the el niño has lowered water levels of the lakes, particularly Lake Lanao, powering the hydro plants in Mindanao. He said that from January to June this year, hydro plants provide only 33% of the energy requirement instead of the usual 53% average in 2009.
On the other hand, the geothermal plant and the coal plant contribute only 10% and 22%, respectively. Diesel plants supplied 35% of power, more than twice of the usual average of 17%.
Hence, NPC is raising rates to defray cost of diesel. ZAMSURECO I is now collecting P8.30 per kwh, a P2.80 increase of the previous P5.50 per kwh.
“If water levels are low, we experience power curtailment to save water during el niño,” said Cabatcha. He added that power shortages are caused by the limitations of using hydro plants to generate electricity.
“Oil or diesel-powered electric plants may augment the necessary power requirements but its output is more expensive than electricity generated by hydro plants,” he added.
Cabatcha explained ZAMSURECO I has nothing to do with the higher rate. He stressed the wheeling rates result from lack of power supply from the six Agus hydro plants.
Power consumers in Pagadian City have expressed disgust over the imposed rate. Residents complain that they experience frequent brownouts yet they are collected at a higher rate.
The energy group is passing advisories enjoining electric distributors to coordinate with sangguniang bayan and barangay councils in Mindanao who wish to declare resolution contesting said privatization as provided for in R.A. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.
The resolutions will be presented to Pres. Noynoy Aquino during a scheduled conference with barangay officials in Manila on July 29-30, 2010.
Under R.A. 9136, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) is in charge of disposing all assets of NPC in Mindanao ten years after enactment of R.A. 9136 on June 8, 2001.
Accordingly, the NPC properties that will be sold to the public include the geothermal plant in Mt. Apo, the coal-fed plant in Mis. Oriental, the six agus hydro plants in Lanao del Norte, and the Pulangi 4 plant in Bukidnon, among others.
NPC assets in Luzon and the Visayas were disposed of and were privatized. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which provide energy transmission lines, is also a private entity.
The Aboitiz Power Corporation, which owns the Davao Light, and the Alson’s (Alcantara Group) has signified interest to acquire the NPC assets in Mindanao. Figures as to the actual cost of NPC properties are not yet available.
In the advisory, Clint DG Pacana, AMRECO Executive Director, argued the looming privatization might even raise power rates even more. He stressed that private owners would pass on charges and that they would recover amount of acquisition at soaring rates.
It was learned that after the power barges 117 and 118 were sold in February 2010, electric rates moved up. Pacana described further the privatization as reversing the objective of lowering the cost of electricity.
AMRECO is also soliciting the support of the media and other civic organizations to push against the privatization. Religious and student groups were also tapped to file resolutions opposing the auction of the remaining NPC properties.
Unconfirmed reports also said that the 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-Care) is lobbying for the scrapping of some provisions of R.A. 9136 to prevent privatization of the remaining NPC ownership.
Meantime, ZAMSURECO I Information Officer Levi Cabatcha revealed the el niño has lowered water levels of the lakes, particularly Lake Lanao, powering the hydro plants in Mindanao. He said that from January to June this year, hydro plants provide only 33% of the energy requirement instead of the usual 53% average in 2009.
On the other hand, the geothermal plant and the coal plant contribute only 10% and 22%, respectively. Diesel plants supplied 35% of power, more than twice of the usual average of 17%.
Hence, NPC is raising rates to defray cost of diesel. ZAMSURECO I is now collecting P8.30 per kwh, a P2.80 increase of the previous P5.50 per kwh.
“If water levels are low, we experience power curtailment to save water during el niño,” said Cabatcha. He added that power shortages are caused by the limitations of using hydro plants to generate electricity.
“Oil or diesel-powered electric plants may augment the necessary power requirements but its output is more expensive than electricity generated by hydro plants,” he added.
Cabatcha explained ZAMSURECO I has nothing to do with the higher rate. He stressed the wheeling rates result from lack of power supply from the six Agus hydro plants.
Power consumers in Pagadian City have expressed disgust over the imposed rate. Residents complain that they experience frequent brownouts yet they are collected at a higher rate.
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