Vizcaya mayor faces arrest

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The mayor of the remote Alfonso Castañeda town faces arrest for allegedly plotting the killing of his vice mayor last December.

Superintendent Romeo Hilomen, provincial police director, ordered his men to closely keep an eye on Mayor Alfredo Castillo Jr. whose formal arrest warrant is expected to be issued today by the Municipal Trial Circuit Court of Dupax del Sur.

One of the suspects in the killing of Vice Mayor Cesar Lacanilao last Dec. 23 identified Castillo as the alleged mastermind.

The suspect, Donato Villacorta, confessed earlier this week that he planned the killing with Castillo and the mayor’s younger brother, Boyet. — Charlie Lagasca

South Cotabato, GenSan bets ink peace pact

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The 45-day campaign period here and in South Cotabato started on a positive note yesterday as at least 60 candidates forged a peace covenant, vowing to uphold "honest and violence-free elections."

The candidates pledged before provincial election supervisor Mangakop Lintongan to faithfully abide by the election rules and regulations.

The covenant signing was led by Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes who is running for governor, and Gov. Hilario de Pedro III, who is gunning for mayor of Koronadal City. — Allen Estabillo

Aggie agency to put up corn feedstock centers

CAGAYAN DE ORO — A total of six corn feedstock service centers (CFSCs) costing P84 million will be put up by the National Agribusiness Development Center (NADC) Foundation Inc. in Central Mindanao, through its Region 10 arm, the Cagayan de Oro Agribusiness Center Inc. (CACI), to enhance the productivity and profitability of corn farmers.

Some 6,800 farmers working on 7,300 hectares in the region are expected to benefit from this investment.

NADC, an organization supported by the Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC), will expand corn production, processing, marketing and working capital of existing corn service centers in Claveria, Misamis Oriental, Malaybalay City, Cabanglasan and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Kin of deceased PAF men get financial aid

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has released more than P2 million for the heirs of its deceased members.

The total amount of P2,063,010 was allotted for the legal beneficiaries of 12 PAF officers and nine enlisted men who died in the line of duty.

The amount forms part of the Special Finance Assistance (SFA) granted under Republic Act 6963 and implemented through Standard Operating Procedure No. 10.

RA 6963 entitles the legal beneficiaries of deceased PAF members to special financial aid to help them defray funeral expenses.

Among the recipients of this assistance were the beneficiaries of the late Maj. Gen. Santiago Madrid Jr., Capt. Edicson Co, 1Lts. Mario Jose Laplana, Danilo Cordial, Sabeniano Depay, John Eric Leonor, Roderick Adjaime and Neil Osito Bahian; 2Lts. Simon Fargas, Alvin Alvaran, Glenn Villanueva and Rodel Zalvadiar; M/Sgt. Avelino Camina, S/Sgt. Roemo Labita, Sgts. Elpedio German, Haribert Divina, Roel Morales and Edgar Derije; AIC Wilfredo Luzano and A2Cs Bernard Podador and Marlon Apolinario.