PROVINCE NEWS

FAKE BILLS IMUS CITY, Cavite — Counterfeit P1,000 and P500 bills are circulating in the province of Cavite as the police warned of the prevalence of fake bills at the onset of the Christmas season. Yesterday, a man and woman, suspected of using the bills to pay for grocery items from a store in Barangay Buho, Silang town, were arrested in Tagaytay City. Police identified them as Jose Leo Culasino Bernardez, 38, of San Isidro Labrador, Dasmariñas City, and Kristine Fajardo Fernandez, 29, of Bicutan, Taguig City. (Anthony Giron) 2 COPS RELIEVED OVER MINING LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Two police officials assigned in Albay were relieved from their posts last Wednesday in relation to a mining blast incident that occurred last week on the island town of Batan. Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 spokesperson, confirmed that the relief orders were issued to Senior Inspector Gil Otivar, chief of police of Rapu-Rapu, Albay and to Superintendent Robert Morico, chief of police in this city. Senior Inspector Vergel Bibat will assume Otivar’s post while Supt. Rommel de la Rama replaces Morico, “who will go schooling.” The officials were criticized for allegedly reporting the incident five days after it happened. (Niño Luces) BONI LANDMARKS LUCENA CITY – As the nation celebrates the 150th birthday anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio tomorrow, a monument, rotunda, a street and a bridge, all in Barangay Ilayang Iyam, here, were dedicated in the hero’s honor. City Councilor Benito J. Brizuela, chairman committee on tourism and cultural affairs, archives, museums, and libraries and law, said the viaduct located in Pleasantville Subdivision in this city will now be known as Andres Bonifacio Bridge “in recognition of the bravery and heroism of Gat Andres Bonifacio, a national hero”. The unnamed street approaching the bridge will then be called Gat Andres Bonifacio Drive. (Danny J. Estacio) ISABELA BROWNOUT; D.O.H. GENERATOR SETS ROXAS, Isabela — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced a nine-hour scheduled power interruption affecting six municipalities of Isabela province including Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Aurora, Quezon and Quirino beginning 8 a.m. today, due to maintenance work being done on transmission facilities of the Isabela Electric Cooperative II (ISELCO II). Meanwhile in Zambales, the Department of Health (DOH) provided eight new power generators to several barangay health centers in Olongapo City. Mayor Rolen Paulino said the generators will provide continuous electricity to the health centers, hit by brownouts especially during typhoons. (Liezle Basa Iñigo and Jonas Reyes) ADOPTED SON BANGUED, Abra — Chief Superintendent Benjamin Magalong, Police Regional Office-Cordillera director, is now an adopted son of Abra. Cited for his accomplishments and personal concern for residents of Abra to live in peace and security, a Provincial Board resolution was approved last October declaring Magalong as Abra’s adopted son. Governor Eustquio Bersamin led the ceremony recently in Banguet to formalize the honor bestowed on the police general. Bersamin said he contributed immensely in transforming Abra from a community of lawlessness and violence to orderly and peaceful atmosphere conducive for living, working, and doing business. (Zaldy Comanda)