No ceasefire violation on rebel arrest - Palace
The arrest last Friday of suspected Communist rebel Pedro Codaste, wanted for murder and frustrated murder, did not violate the ceasefire agreement between the government and the communist rebels, according to Malacanang.
In a media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda emphasized that the arrest was an act of law enforcement based on a standing warrant issued by the Malaybalay City regional trial court. Codaste was accosted while passing through a military checkpoint in Agusan del Sur.
Lacierda said Codaste is not listed as a consultant in the peace panel in the ongoing talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“There is no violation on the ceasefire agreement, neither is he covered under the JASIG, the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantee,” he said.
The arrest of Codaste took place a day after the effectivity of the 18-day cessation of hostilities between government troops and the NPAs from Dec. 16 until Jan. 3 next year.
President Benigno S. Aquino III earlier directed the government peace panel headed by Alex Padilla to hold informal talks and work to forge a final peace agreement with the CPP-NPA-NDF within three years to finally put an end to the 41-year-old armed struggle of the Communist rebels.
Both parties have also agreed to conduct another round of informal talks next month and restart formal peace negotiations in February next year. (PCOO)
Aquino plays Santa to 3 lucky OFWs
President Benigno S. Aquino III played Santa Claus to three lucky overseas Filipino workers by awarding each of them P450,000 worth of cash and gift certificates upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport this afternoon.
Forty-one year old Gilbert Acebedo, Evangeline Escano, 33 and Myrna Pagkaliwagan, 39 were picked over other passengers onboard Qatar Airways flight QR-646 to win top prizes under the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s program “Pamaskong Handog para sa OFWs.”
The annual program, which honors the country’s new heroes has as its highlight the “Presidential Pasalubong 2010” which allows the President to welcome groups of OFWs arriving from Asia, Middle East, Europe or America to spend time with their respective families this Christmas season.
This year’s theme, “Pamilyang OFW, Masayang Sama-Sama Ngayong Pasko,” hopes to inculcate in the OFW communities the positive values of family orientation and social consciousness in recognizing the contributions of OFWs to national development and extending a helping hand to those who have less in life.
Acebedo, who hails from Tatalon in Quezon City has been working as a salesman for three years while Escano, a native of Tayug, Pangasinan has been employed as a nurse for six years.
Pagkalinawan, who lives in Bucal, Batangas City has been working as a teacher for six years.
The three winners all work in Doha, Qatar. (PCOO)
Aquino orders probe of Tuguegarao blaze
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday ordered the Departments of Interior and Local Government and Justice to get to the bottom of the Tuguegarao hotel blaze that claimed the lives of 16 people.
In an interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Aquino said he issued his directives to Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima with explicit instructions to expedite the probe and bring to justice those found guilty for the tragedy.
“Bottomline, may mga hindi gumawa ng dapat nilang gawin (there are those who did not perform their duties) that would have prevented this tragedy so kahapon pa lang, inutusan na natin na mag-imbestiga ang Secretary ng Interior and Local Government (I have directed the Secretary of Interior and Local Government to investigate the tragedy),” the President said.
“Pinakiusap ko na mag-coordinate ang DILG at ang Department of Justice at pagkatapos ng imbestigasyon, yung mga nagkulang ay dapat panagutin sa lalong madaling panahon (I asked that the DILG coordinate their investigative efforts with the Department of Justice and to bring those responsible for this tragedy to justice),” he added. (PCOO)
