Oldest living Filipino War Veterans dies at 107

Engineer Fernando Perez Javier passed away on Monday (June 29). He was 107 years old.

Engineer Fernando Perez Javier, who held the distinction as the country's oldest living Filipino World War II veteran and the University of the Philippines' oldest living alumnus, died on Monday (June 29). He was 107 years old.

According to the Philippine Veteran Affairs Office (PVAO), Javier died in Baguio City due to illness Monday morning. His remains were cremated in the afternoon.

Born on December 22, 1907 in Ilocos Norte, Javier was among the survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March who trekked about 100 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga in 1942.

Aside from his war honors, Javier also earned the distinction of being one of UP's first graduates of civil engineering and was the university's "Century Man," who lit the first of 100 torches during UP's centennial celebration.

Meanwhile, a statement released by Malacañan on Monday also mourned Javier's death.

In a two-page statement, Secretary Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesperson, said: "The nation joins the Armed Forces and the University of the Philippines (UP) community in mourning the passing of Engr. Fernando Perez Javier. At 107 years old, Engr. Javier was the Philippines’ oldest World War II veteran and UP’s oldest alumnus, the Centennial Man during the university’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2008.

"We remember Engr. Perez’s service during the war, and the valor and dedication with which he carried out his duty. The nation owes much to the service of patriots like him. May his life of service inspire today’s generation to serve their country with his loyalty, dignity, and steadfastness. In this time of grief, we extend our deepest condolences to his family."

The PVAO offered an interment with full military honors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani for Javier, fitting his stature as a hero, but his bereaved family has yet to decide on the matter.

Dr. Jose Javier (left) and engineer Fernando Javier (right).  

Javier's younger brother, Dr. Jose Javier, is now the oldest living Filipino war veteran at 105 years old.

Angat Dam nears critical level for drinking water

Angat Dam in Bulacan shows no sign of improvement in its water supply as it further drops to 171.06 meters from 171.4 meters Friday. As of 6:00 am Saturday, this just a few meters from the 160-meter critical level for drinking water.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that despite the declaration of the rainy season by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the dam has yet to recover from its water supply.

Angat Dam has closed its irrigation supply for Pampanga and Bulacan last May after it breached the 180 meter critical level for irrigation.

If the dam's water further plummets, the 14 million residents in Metro Manila who rely on the water supply coming from dam would have to start conserving water.

Farmers in some 27,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga are serviced by the irrigation coming from Angat Dam but irrigation services has been cut as it would have to prioritize civilian consumption.

The DA said that despite the lack of irrigation supply, farmers have already started planting palay seeds for the start of the planting season this July. DA regional director Andrew Villacorta said that farmers would be relying on artificial water sources from pumps and even the coming water supply from the forecast rains coming this July.

Pagasa said that it expects rains to come this mid June and July and may soon replenish the water levels needed by Angat Dam. The dry spell triggered by the current El Niño phenomenon had deprived the Bulacan watershed of water needed to replenish the dam's water holdings.

Pagasa is optimistic that the lack of possible irrigation will not adversely affect Central Luzon farmers as the rainy season is just around the corner.

Meanwhile, water levels in Luzon's major dams like La Mesa, Ambuklao, San Roque, Magat, Caliraya also fell as of Friday's posting from the state weather bureau.

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Pampanga Governor support to police lauded

Central Luzon police office officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Ronald Santos has lauded Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda and a Kapampangan businessman for supporting all-out their projects crucial to sustain and improve the peace and order situation in the region.

Santos, who was interviewed shortly after the recent 6th Meeting of the Regional Advisory Council (RDC) at the Camp Olivas here, said the private groups and local officials whom he dubbed “partners” had provided the "necessary equipment and support."

"Pineda has been helping a lot since she assumed her post (in 2010)," Santos said.

"You know very well our funds are not enough to buy all the things we need and the budget needed by our people," he added.

Reghis Romero II of Angeles City turned over Hewlett-Packard personal computers (PCs) and a copier to Santos, head of the 12,000-strong regional police command.

The chairman of the RII Builders Inc. was accompanied by anti-crime crusader and Salapungan, Angeles City barangay captain Rey Malig during the RDC meeting and the turn-over of the PCs.

Santos said the computers "are needed, especially to beef up our peace and order monitoring in Pampanga and the six other provinces."

In the RDC meeting, Santos also thanked Pineda for supporting the needs of the Pampanga police and assisting police personnel and officers who were set to undergo seminars and other education programs related to improving their knowledge and skills.

Pineda and the Provincial Board led by Vice Governor Dennis Pineda allotted millions of pesos of funds to help the police in improving their operations and boost the morale of the more than 1,000 members of the Pampanga Police Office. 

Central Luzon chief cop lauds partners

Central Luzon Police Regional Office III officer-in-charge Ronald Santos has lauded those who supported the all-out projects crucial to sustain and improve the peace and order situation in the region.

Santos, who was interviewed shortly after the recent meeting of the Regional Advisory Council at the Camp Olivas here, said the private groups and local officials whom he dubbed partners are providing the necessary equipment and support.

Santos said Governor Pineda has helped a lot since she assumed her post in 2010. You know very well the funds we have are not enough to buy all the things we need and for the budget needed by our people.

Romero turned over eight brand new Hewlett-Packard personal computers and a copier to Santos, head of the 12,000-strong regional police command. The chairman of the RII Builders Inc. was accompanied by anti-crime crusader and Salapungan, Angeles City Barangay Captain Rey Malig during the meeting and the turn-over of the computers.

Santos said the computers are needed, especially to beef up our peace and order monitoring in Pampanga and the six other provinces.

During the meeting, Santos also thanked governor Pineda for supporting the needs of the Pampanga police and assisting police personnel and officers who are set to undergo seminars and other education programs related to improving their knowledge and skills.

Governor Pineda and the provincial government led by Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda allotted millions of pesos of funds to help the police in improving their operations and boost the morale of the more than 1,000 members of the Pampanga Police Office.

Central Luzon Police Regional Office III officer-in-charge Ronald Santos has lauded those who supported the all-out projects crucial to sustain and improve the peace and order situation in the region. Santos, who was interviewed shortly after the recent meeting of the Regional Advisory Council at the Camp Olivas here, said the private groups and local officials whom he dubbed partners are providing the necessary equipment and support. Santos said Governor Pineda has helped a lot since she assumed her post in 2010. You know very well the funds we have are not enough to buy all the things we need and for the budget needed by our people. Romero turned over eight brand new Hewlett-Packard personal computers and a copier to Santos, head of the 12,000-strong regional police command. The chairman of the RII Builders Inc. was accompanied by anti-crime crusader and Salapungan, Angeles City Barangay Captain Rey Malig during the meeting and the turn-over of the computers. Santos said the computers are needed, especially to beef up our peace and order monitoring in Pampanga and the six other provinces. During the meeting, Santos also thanked governor Pineda for supporting the needs of the Pampanga police and assisting police personnel and officers who are set to undergo seminars and other education programs related to improving their knowledge and skills. Governor Pineda and the provincial government led by Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda allotted millions of pesos of funds to help the police in improving their operations and boost the morale of the more than 1,000 members of the Pampanga Police Office.

Villar: Stop private groups from importing rice

Senator Cynthia Villar has urged the Aquino administration to stop private groups from importing rice to avoid smuggling.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, said rice smuggling “gravely affects” the farmers and their produce. She disclosed this during the annual fluvial festival here.

Villar said that there would no longer be the illegal importation of rice if the government will buy and keep the rice mostly coming from Vietnam.

She said she had read in a report that the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the National Food Authority will import 250,000 metric tons of rice.

“Í understand that’s a mandatory buffer stocking but I hope someday we will no longer import rice. We must buy and consume our own produce to help our farmers improve their income,” Villar said.

The country buys rice in the early part of the year to prepare for the lean harvest season that begins in July.

The government allows private traders to import rice up to 187,000 tons this year, with tariffs as high as 35 percent under the Minimum access volume of the Omnibus Rice Importation program, reports said.

It added that despite record-high domestic harvests in recent years, including last year’s output, the Philippines remains one of the world’s biggest rice buyers.

The Aquino administration reportedly purchased more than 1.8 million tons from Vietnam and Thailand after Super Typhoon Haiyan destroyed crops in November 2013. It released supplies from state stockpiles for relief operations and to arrest the sharp increase in local retail prices.

The country’s rice purchases in 2014 were the biggest in the last four years.

The United States Department of Agriculture said this year’s imports may hit 1.6 million tons. But the DA said that this year’s imports may be less than 1 million tons as local retail prices have eased from the record highs seen in mid-2014.

Villar said that research and development will help enhance the agriculture sector and the competitiveness of the farmers and farm workers.

She said that even the National Economic Development Authority has acknowledged the need to invest in research and development to increase the productivity of the agriculture sector and boost job creation in the industry through science and technology.

Villar said this will eventually hasten the growth in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector.

"I strongly believe relevant research and development technological innovation can also propel the agricultural sector to greater heights," said Villar.

Aquino to grace 68th PAF anniversary in Clark

President Benigno Aquino III will grace Wednesday the 68th anniversary rites of Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the Haribon Hangar of Clark Air Base (CAB) in Pampanga.

Serving as the highlights of the anniversary are high-speed opener pass of S-211 jets, a figure of “68” formation pass of 11 T-41D and 11 SF-260FH/M, and exhibition of para-jumpers from the 505th Search and Rescue Group.

There will also be a conferment of awards to outstanding individuals and units, flyby of aircrafts of various types, and capability parade of ground equipment used for combat and disaster response.

The Commander-In-Chief is also expected to deliver a message.

PAF was founded on July 1, 1947- two years after the end of World War II.

It traces its lineage to the Philippine Army Air Corp., which was established in 1941.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “Matatag na Bagwis. Dangal ng Bayan. Lakas ng Sambayanan.”

Old Apalit folk honor ‘Apung Iru’

The Pampanga river, host to the 171-year-old annual religious tradition in honor of this town’s patron saint, is regarded as a bringer of bountiful food harvests during the Spanish period, Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr. said at the start of three-day festival on June 28.

Tetangco, who was joined by Senator Cynthia Villar and Governor Lilia Pineda at the fluvial procession on Sunday afternoon to honor St. Peter or “Apung Iru”, said the old Apalit folk during the middle of 1800s had decided to hold the parade along the third largest river in the country because it “gives bountiful blessings” to farmers and fisherfolk.
His statements were based on the researches of Councilor Fortunato “Atoy” Castro and former Councilor Kenneth Nunag.

Nunag said the Spanish and Portuguese sailors docked at the portion of the river in Apalit and they were joined on their ships and boats by the then local residents.
“That’s why most of the people from Apalit know how to cook well, notably the dishes well known in Spain and Portugal. Our ancestors learned the style of cooking at the ships of the foreign visitors,” said Nunag.

Tetangco said the annual tradition at the river also known as “Great River of Pampanga” was consistently graced by Villar and Pineda. He added that former Senate president Manny Villar, husband of the first-term senator, once joined the fluvial festival.

“The devotees of Apung Iru based in other countries come home yearly to join the celebrations,” said Tetangco, who started the giving of fruits in 2008 to the devotees of St. Peter during the fluvial parade.

Pineda said: “The safety of the people, especially those living near the river, is the content of my prayer to Apung Iru.”
“Governor Pineda and I join the feast for Apung Iru annually as vow of faith,” said Villar.
“We must preserve and treasure cultural and religious traditions,” she added.

‘Libad’

The tradition dates back to 1844, reports said. It’s locally known as “libad” where the holy image of Apung Iru is taken from the St. Peter’s Shrine in Capalangan using colorful and fully decorated boats. Then for three days Apung Iru will be in Barangay San Juan where thousands are expected to visit the image.

On June 30, the more than 1,000 swimmers who are members of the Knights of St. Peter will bring back the image of Apung Iru to its home in Capalangan.

Tetangco said devotees will carry back the image by pulling it while swimming along the river unlike when it was brought to San Juan.

It was in a barge when it was transferred during first of the three-day event. The three-term mayor will join the “return-trip” for centuries-old Holy Image by walking along the banks of the river, said Castro.

6 alleged stolen vehicles recovered in Pampanga

Six different vehicles and car accessories were recovered by members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Anti-Carnapping unit and the San Simon police in Barangay San Miguel, San Simon town in Pampanga Tuesday.

Recovered in the operation were five Mitsubishi L300 FB and a gray Mitsubishi Lancer, as well as several plate numbers, spare parts, and car accessories, that are believed to be stolen.

Four men, identified as Andres Maglanque, Harvy Maglanque, Lindon Maglanque and Jamir Masanque, were also arrested in the operation.

The suspects were brought to the QCPD and will be charged with violating the Anti-Carnapping Act.

Bank teller starved, shot from behind

Tania Camille Dee, seen in contributed photo from her friends. The bank teller and young mother died from a gunshot wound, said police probers, a day after the 8-day search for her ended in a shallow grave in an Angeles City subdivision.

Whoever kept bank teller Tania Camille Dee before killing her apparently did not feed her, police probers said, a day after the young mother's body was found in a shallow grave behind the house she once rented with her estranged husband.

Probers also confirmed that Dee, 33, a teller at RCBC (not BDO as earlier reported), died from a gunshot wound, and not choked to death as previous reports said.

Friends of Dee had mounted a social media campaign to search for her after her mother alerted them she had not gone home since June 20, when she went to Pampanga to meet her estranged husband, Fidel Sheldon Arcenas.

Camille and Fidel Sheldon were seen having dinner in a Japanese restaurant at Barangay Balibago before she disappeared without a trace.

Arcenas reportedly gave conflicting reports as to the circumstances of their parting after the meeting: saying at one point he brought her to the bus station, and in another claim, that he left her on the highway.

Ex-husband a suspect

The estranged husband of Dee-Arcenas is now considered a suspect in her killing, as the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) in Pampanga invited him and his current live-in girlfriend to submit themselves for questioning.

Chief Inspector Ferdinand Aguilar, head of the CIDG-Pampanga, said they sent out invitations to Fidel Sheldon Arcenas and his girlfriend Angela Tinio Dychioco, to shed light on the case of Dee, a 33-year-old single mother who went missing for eight days after she met Fidel.

The whereabouts of both Fidel and Angela are unknown.

Fidel is considered a suspect because he was the last person seen with his estranged wife, at a Japanese restaurant in Angeles City. CCTV footage confirmed the pair met up early evening at the restaurant, and left together.

When Tania Camille and Fidel were still living together, they used to rent that same house, until their relationship soured. They have two young children, both boys.

8-day search; social media campaign

The eight-day search for Tania Camille Dee ended Sunday morning after elements of the Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG) dug up her body from a shallow grave at the backyard of a house on Lilian Street in Sta. Maria Subdivision, Barangay Balibago.

“The victim's stomach is empty, an indication that she was not fed while in captivity before being killed by the suspect,” said a source from the CIDG Pampanga office, who declined to be named as he is not allowed to speak to the media.

“The victim’s half-body was covered with a garbage bag and she was leaning to her left shoulder when discovered at a 3-feet deep and 3-feet long grave,” said the source.  Investigation to determine the motive for the killing is ongoing, he added.

Fidel Sheldon Arcenas and the victim used to rent Dychioco's house before their relationship turned sour.

CIDG investigators and Crime Laboratory personnel on Sunday combed the Dychioco house to lift more evidence including spent shells of the murder weapon.

His father and namesake, Fidel M. Arcenas, is a former provincial administrator and is now assistant COO at the Tourism Infrastructure Economic Zone Authority