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nan District, Davao City waiting for a passenger tricycle.

At 10:39 p.m., the victim was seen boarding a yellow tricycle (ongbak) heading towards the Barangay Talomo River area.

The tricycle was allegedly driven by Bayansao with Espinosa as another passenger. A witness, a certain “Michael” was standing at the roadside at the junction of Crossing Fausta around 10:36 p.m. going to Brgy. Talomo River where the tricycle passed by. The witness said he was able to peek into the slow-moving trike and positively noticed the tattoo on the right arm of the passenger seated at the left side of the back seat wearing gray sando (jersey). He described the tattoo as “tribal bandage.” The witness positively identified Espinosa as the passenger.

Another witness, a certain “Joan”, narrated that she was on board her driven single motorcycle going to the corner of Megaville Subdivision in Calinan at about 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. of May 16, 2023 on her way to buy meat at the village meat shop, but unfortunately, it was already closed when she arrived.

She noticed that Panzan was with an unidentified companion waiting in front of an abandoned house at the Megaville Subdivision.

From 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. of the same day, the tricycle was seen in front of the abandoned house at the Megaville Subdivision.

The victim disembarked and while she was walking more or less one meter away from the tricycle, Panzan punched her in the face.

When the victim attempted to shout an unidentified person covered her mouth and punched her in the abdomen which knocked her unconscious.

The three suspects, Panzan, Espinoza, and an unidentified person, carried the victim to the

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ment.

Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas thanked the DOH for the project and the senator for pushing the creation of the SHC.

“Deepest gratitude and appreciation to DOH and Senator Go for putting the project to fruition. This project helps us in making Digos the city of choice,” he said. (PNA)

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crimes monitored by DCPO.

These focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, motor napping, and car napping.

She mentioned that while there was a decrease in the number of focus crimes, from 167 incidents between January and April 2022 to 94 incidents during the same period this year, rape continued to be the most prevalent crime.

Out of the 167 crime incidents reported from January to April last year, 57 were rape cases. Among the 94 focus crimes recorded by DCPO between January and April this year, at least 31 were rape incidents.

Dela Rey said, “Alarming gyud sya na mao’y pinakataas. Naningkamot ta nga ma-prevent o masulbad ni. Magtinabangay ta (It is alarming that rape has high incidents. We are trying to prevent or solve this. Let’s work together).” That’s tricycle driven by Bayansao and sped off going to Talomo River in Calinan District.

“Joan” said she clearly saw what happened as she was 5 to 7 meters away from the incident and positively identified Panzan since she is a regular customer of the meat shop where Panzan was employed as a cashier and meat vendor.

“Joan” also positively identified Bayansao as the driver of the tricycle upon learning the report that went viral in social media about the drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA 11), National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-Davao) and the PNP on May 28, 2023, in Purok 20, Calinan, Davao City.

At 10:46 p.m. of the same day, the tricycle was seen in the CCTV footage in Anana Store at the corner of Campo 1, Talomo River, Calinan District heading towards Brgy. Dacudao, Calinan District.

At 8 a.m. of May 17, 2023, a concerned citizen informed that a dead body was found at an open contour canal at a banana plantation owned by Sarbac company located at Purok 6, Barangay Dacudao, Calinan District, Davao City. It was the body of Bragas.

Meanwhile, the SITG is still not able to pinpoint who owns the tricycle (ongbak) used in the crime. However, Lupaz said that the SITG has a lead that is being developed.

Lupaz also told the media that SITG refused to comment on the reward money.

“This case is not yet closed. Padayon gihapon ni. Material evidence like the tricycle wala pa nakita. This is not yet finsihed. Marami pa tayong gagawin nito,” he said.

It can be recalled that Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte announced giving a P1 million reward for anyone who could identify the suspect/s behind the Bragas case.

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FROM 3 neers Office (CEO). Kailangan ni ug dinaliang actions ug dili na dapat hulaton na mudako pa kay makita nato nga nagalalom ang effect sa rainstorms,” he said. why they launched the Oplan Kilos, a campaign known as “Kababainhan/Kabatan-onan/ Kalalakin-an Igiya Laban sa Pagpanglugos” which is a proactive community-based initiative aimed at addressing rape and sexual abuse cases in the city.

He said some of the city’s waterways are already silted and some are clogged with wastes.

“Isa sa atong ginatnaw karon kay basin naay constrictions sa atong drainage systems. Karon ang challenge sa atoang planning ug CEO nga dapat tan-awon nila gyud kung unsa ang issues nga dapat i-address sa mga lugar nga nakasinati ug pagbaha. Dugay na ni nga problema ang street flooding sa city labi na nga nagataas ang tubig baha kung naay kusog na pag-ulan. Ipasubay namo na karon. This is a joint assessment nga dapat himoon,” he said.

Oplan Kilos not only strengthens police efforts against sexual crimes, but also encourages the involvement of barangay leaders, youth groups, women’s associations, the academe, and faith-based organizations within the community.

CIO

Ledesma said these collaborations will allow DATA to deliver impactful learning experiences that will empower the members to deliver world-class hospitality.

Ledesma stressed that member engagement is at the heart of a happy and vibrant association and to promote member engagement, DATA will have more meaningful meetings where members and officers can share best practices, discuss industry insights, solve challenges together, and also network and build relationships.

“Each one of you has a voice, a powerful voice that can help us shape the future of Davao’s tourism industry. With continued dialogue and collaboration, we can create a vibrant and dynamic association built on trust, tradition, and innovation,” she said.

She said it is also important to elevate the association, businesses, and the tourism industry as a whole.

“We have to recognize that our successes in the past have always been because of the active collaborations of members and stakeholders both in the private and public sectors. Our common vision to elevate our industry creates an environment where there is a place for everyone, where we support each other’s businesses, celebrate each other’s successes but also extend help when it is needed,” she said.

She added that to elevate the tourism industry of Davao City, it is also imperative that DATA will champion sustainability, responsible tourism, and hospitality technology and innovations.

“There is no escaping anymore. More than a trend or a byword, it is now a requirement that tourism players worldwide need to be more conscious and responsible so we ensure a better future for the generations to come. Moreover, we need to adapt to new technologies and practices that can make our industry more responsive and resilient,” she said.

The City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) has set a target of 1.8 million tourist arrivals for this year, 2.5 million for 2024, and 2.7 million for 2025 in Davao City.

“With the resounding success of MICECON last March and many MICE-related activities in the pipeline, I am confident that Davao can surpass its targets,” Ledesma said.

She is referring to the Philippine M.I.C.E.Conference (MICECON) held in Davao City in March this year, which was attended by over 600 participants from the tourism and business events sector.

The MICECON 2023 is the country’s largest gathering of Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals, bringing together a unique mix of local and foreign delegates in the MICE industry to learn about the various global trends on business meetings, witness the beautiful scenery of the premier city of the south, and invite them to network with both local and international MICE experts. By Maya

M. Padillo

agriculture, chemical fertilizers, and medical device, said Tomer Heyvi, Head of Israel’s Economic and Commercial Mission in the Philippines.

“From the Philippines we also see a similar behavior. We see in the electronics industry a lot of exports from the Philippines to Israel as well as mechanical equipment, consumer goods,” he said.

Israel sees the Philippines as “a very soft-landing country,” Heyvi said.

“It’s English-speaking. For Israel, it’s a very soft-landing country, very welcome, but also the business opportunities are vast if you talk about agriculture, if you talk about digital connectivity, if you talk about cybersecurity, homeland security and other areas so we see a lot of opportunities there,” he said.

“We want to see more and more Israeli companies work here in the Philippines… I think the Philippines is an attractive country in the region,” he said.

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Over at the Morodok Aquatics Center, the Filipinos’ blistering golden streak came to a crashing halt as they only managed a silver in the 100m butterfly S14 courtesy of Ariel Joseph Alegarbes, who clocked 1:00.73 in finishing behind eventual winner Muhd Imaan Aiman of Malaysia with 1:00.35.

The country had earlier scooped up five mints in the first two days including two by Gary Bejino, who accomplished both in record-breaking fashions.

Reyes, a 21 year-old native of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, said he drew inspiration from his faith and family.

“Sila po ang inspirasyon ko,” said Reyes, who lost his right arm after falling from a three when he was still five years old.

For Torrefiel, she was a cut above the rest in her class where she heaved a 19.33m in finishing ahead of Thai Ratnaningsih Ratnaningsih (18.05) and Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Chin (17.98).

The same with Kuizon, a protégé of former national team mainstay Nixon Mas who blew away the competition with a 7.27m, or more than three meters ahead of eventual silver winner Phe Phawat of Cambodia who had a 4.17m.

Over at the Table Tennis Hall also in Morodok, the Filipino paddlers produced a pair of bronzes courtesy of Smith Billy Cartera and Racleo Martinez (men’s class 4 team event) and Leo Macalanda, Jobert Lumanta and Jayson Ocampo (men’s class 8).

In chess at the Royal University, rapid gold winners Darry Bernardo and Cheyzer Mendoza all stayed on course in adding another one as they led their respective divisions after three rounds in the standard division.

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Aside from these, Pangandaman said the government will also provide support to the health and education sectors, including the upgrading of skills of the country’s workforce. Expenditure priorities for next year are reflected in the 2024 Budget Priorities Frame- work, which include infrastructure development, food security, digital transformation, enterprise development, human capital development, climate action and disaster resilience, strategic directions in transition to full devolution, and research, development, and innovation. (PNA)

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Davao del Sur.

Arabica coffee is considered the superior coffee and fetches higher price for the farmers. In the Robusta category, Ilocos Sur farmers dominated the competition, winning 10 of the top 12, according to the DTI-Ilocos Region.

First place was Vilma Lapasan, of the Tirad Pass Growers Association, Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur, with a cupping score of 85.22. Her coffee had notes of vanilla, pineapple, berries, and raisin.

Two farmers from Sultan Kudarat province also made it to the winning entries—Reyjohn A. Basco, 8th place; and Robert James Gacayan, 10th.

Second was Mabini Ubuan, of San Elias Coffee Growers Association in Sigay, with a score of 85; third was Juana Bitongan, also of Gregorio del Pilar, 84.38; fourth was Marietta Lidem, of Sigay, 83.94; and fifth was Jean Apalet, also of Sigay, Ilocos Sur, 83.5. The rest of the winners from Ilocos Sur were Byron Daplayan, 6th; Silvestra Villegas, 7th; Erlinda Dao-ayan, 9th; Jordan Dalida, 11th; and Marielle Gannad, 12th. (MindaNews)

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or dealer that can offer a price lower than the price of the subject imported alcohol products,” the CTA said.

The CTA added that it could not rely on the product price lists from four dealers and the testimony merely based thereon, saying it is hard to be convinced that the price lists from the said dealers represent the market price locally or for the entire country.

“Lacking corroborating evidence to prove that the price lists of Absolute Sales Corporation and Future Trade International Travel Retail, Minivan Enterprise, and AB Heineken Phils., Inc., represent the local market prices for the subject alcohol products for the period August 2014 until February 2018 vis-avis the totality of local suppliers who are engaged in selling similar products in the same years, this Court cannot conclude that petitioner’s comparison of the prices of its imported alcohol products with that of the said dealers is deemed sufficient,” the CTA said.

As regards its importation of tobacco products, the CTA also ruled that PAL failed to offer supporting evidence that would verify the statements made by Capinpin in her judicial affidavit.

In addition, the CTA said PAL failed to submit, at the very least, price lists of tobacco products that indicate the local market prices of the said products.

“Apropos, the testimony of Ms. Capinpin, standing alone, is insufficient to ascertain whether the subject tobacco products were, indeed, not locally available in reasonable quantity, quality or price. In sum, petitioner failed to present sufficient and convincing evidence to prove that the imported tobacco and alcohol products were not locally available in reasonable quantity, quality, or price, at the time of importations,” the CTA said.

The CTA concluded that PAL had not fulfilled all conditions to be entitled to the tax exemption granted under Section 13 of PD No. 1590.