Quirino clash: 2 rebels dead

MALOLOS, Bulacan — Government troopers clashed with some 50 communist rebels in Maddela, Quirino last Monday, leaving two guerrillas dead and two others wounded, the military’s Northern Luzon Command said.

Five New People’s Army members were also captured after the running gunbattle in Barangay San Dionisio, said Lt. Col. Preme Monta, Nolcom information officer. One of them was identified as Joana Marie Anacon, medical officer of the NPA’s Southern Front. — James Mananghaya

P’sinan Mayor Suspended

MANAOAG, Pangasinan — For hitting the face of a resident with a mobile phone, the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon has suspended this town’s mayor for one month without pay.

But suspended Mayor Pedrito Garcia told The STAR that he is awaiting the ruling on his motion for reconsideration of the suspension order.

"This is also meant to clear my name because there are actually two administrative cases filed against me by the same complainants involving the same incident using the same evidence," said Garcia, a lawyer who is now on his third and last term.

The decision on the grave misconduct complaint against Garcia was actually issued last Jan. 21. But it was only last Nov. 6 when the Department of the Interior and Local Government served it.

Resident Eduardo Maure alleged that Garcia hit the face of his son Isaac with a cellular phone and choked and kicked him in a public school’s parking lot here. — Eva Visperas

Poll Officer’s House Strafed

NATIVIDAD, Pangasinan — Motorcycle-riding men strafed the house of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) officer in Barangay Poblacion here last Sunday, a day after the deadline for the registration of new voters.

Police said the house of Rodolfo Ruiz, 51, bore four bullet holes. No one was injured in the attack.

Ruiz, investigators learned, had been strict in the registration of new voters.

The attack has prompted Senior Superintendent Mario Sandiego, provincial police director, to order his men to be on guard in potential hot spots throughout the province. — Eva Visperas, Cesar Ramirez