Albay governor orders investigation of fish kill

Environmentalists, clergy continue to oppose Lafayette mines
By Manny T. Ugalde and Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondents-Manila Times

LEGAZPI CITY: Albay Governor Jose Sarte Salceda on Tuesday called for a thoroughinvestigation into the fishkill that hit five coastal villages of Rapu-rapu allegedly triggered by mine tailings that overflowed from a mining operation in the said island town.

Salceda said his office had asked the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to undertake a thorough investigation of the reported fish kill incidents that happened on Sunday.

Green groups challenge Lafayette, Arroyo administration: Open up mine site for investigation into Rapu-Rapu fish kills

Green watchdog Kalikasan Peoples’ Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) today urged government officials to take action on the recent fish kills reported in Rapu-Rapu island, Albay, near the site of the Arroyo administration’s flagship mining project by Australian-owned firm Lafayette Mining Limited, asserting that Lafayette should open up its mine site for inspection by an independent investigation.

Scientists raise alarm about new Rapu-Rapu fish kill reports

Causes for fish kill should be investigated by independent scientists; closure of Lafayette mining operations reiterated.

Scientists from the progressive scientists group AGHAM raised alarm over the reports of new fish kill reports in Rapu-Rapu Island in Albay. The fish kills happened after heavy and continuous rainfall hit Rapu-Rapu starting from October 26th up to around 3 a.m. of October 28th, according to Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa Spokesperson Antonio Casitas based in Rapu-Rapu Island. They noted that a wide variety of fishes from eels to small fishes have been found dead and rotting ashore.

Fish kills again hit Rapu-Rapu island, Residents suspect another mine tailings spill; Sorsogon Bishop, green groups want Lafayette mining stopped

Environmental groups and Sorsogon BIshop Arturo M. Bastes are calling for the permanent closure of Australian-owned Lafayette Mining Limited in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, in light of a reported massive fish kills in the island yesterday.

As of yesterday evening, Rapu-Rapu based Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa Spokesperson Antonio Casitas reported fish kills in five coastal barangays in Rapu-Rapu island: Barangays Pagcolbon, Malobago, Santa Barbara, Carubcob, and Poblacion.

Politician attacks broadcaster inside announcer’s booth

Radio broadcaster Roel Sembrano of Radyo Natin Compostela in Compostela Valley province was inside the announcer’s booth when a politician, accompanied by his wife and daughter barged in and attacked Sembrano.

A report sent to the IFJ-NUJP Media Safety Office by the NUJP-Davao chapter said Compostela Valley provincial board member Neri Barte, his wife and daughter physically attacked Sembrano last October 24 while he was on air. When Sembrano tried to stop them, Barte reportedly drew out his gun and threatened to kill him.

Mercy distorted: Executive clemency of Erap, political survival of GMA

By: Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, SVD, DD
Bishop of Sorsogon

The recent pronouncement of Malacaňang on Erap Pardon is highly suspicious and full of self-vested interests. It is indeed the prerogative of the President of the Philippines to grant clemency to convicted criminals yet there are considerations that should be taken into account. One of which is the fundamental question on justice.

The conviction of Erap on plunder case is a triumph of justice. Last September 12, the Sandiganbayan convicted Estrada of plunder and sentenced him to life in prison. The court also ordered the former leader to return more than 734 million pesos of his ill-gotten wealth. Yet this is overturned by the pardon given by GMA to Erap.

NUJP Statement: On the Digos slay attempt

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines condemn in the strongest terms the attempt on the lives of two volunteer radio announcers in Digos City Thursday morning, October 25.

Reports said Marlan Malnegro and Ruben Oliverio had just finished their morning program on Radio Ukay and were riding tandem on a motorcycle and had reached an intersection about a kilometer from the station when the two attackers, on another motorcycle, drove up. One of the suspects drew a handgun and fired but missed. He tried to fire again but fortunately his gun jammed.

2 radio volunteers escape slay try in Digos City

By Orlando Dinoy, Inquirer

DIGOS CITY, Philippines — Two volunteer radio announcers narrowly escaped death here when two unidentified men aboard a motorcycle fired on them at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, police and witnesses said.

Marlan Malnegro and Ruben Oliverio had just finished their morning program on Radio Ukay and were riding tandem on a motorcycle when the attack took place.

On reaching Jumao-as corner Rizal Avenue, about a kilometer from the station, one of the two still unidentified men on a red Crypton motorcycle drew a handgun and fired, but missed.

The gunman tried to fire a second time but the gun jammed.

As of this posting, police are still investigating the incident.

Court temporarily stops class suit against president’s husband

CMFR/Philippines—The class action suit filed by 40 journalists and three media organizations against presidential spouse Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo for his alleged abuse of right and violation of press freedom, had not even reached the pre-trial stage a year after it was filed. Both sides had been locked in an argument over legal technicalities.

But in a decision dated 24 September 2007, the Court of Appeals (CA) granted Mr. Arroyo’s petition asking for a preliminary injunction on the hearing of the affirmative defenses, thus putting the case on hold.

Kababaihan magkaisa! Labanan ang patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin-Bicolana Gabriela

Nitong huling mga araw,mapapansin natin ang sunod-sunod na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin. Unang linggo ng Oktobre ng magtaas ng 50 sentimos ang presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo. At syempre pa,pati LPG ay nagtaas rin. Ang per kilo ng bigas na mabibili noon ng P22.00 ay P25.00 na ngayon. Pati presyo ng mga infant milk, mantika, asukal, de lata, harina ay nagtaas.