Cops Rescue Filipino-Chinese Trader Jefferson Cheng, Kill All 7 Kidnappers in a 12-Hour Operation

11 July 2009

In a phenomenal 12-hour rescue effort, police operatives freed Filipino-Chinese trader Jefferson Cheng from his kidnappers who were all killed in the operation, 3 of them in Cabuyao, Laguna and 4 in Imus, Cavite.

Jefferson Cheng was abducted around 9:25am Friday by the kidnappers in Bacoor, Cavite together with his driver, Florante Cariñosa, who was later freed in Las Piñas.  Cheng was then taken aboard his van to an undisclosed location.  

About four hours after the abduction, Cheng's son, Johnny, received a call from the kidnappers asking for a P20 million ransom. It was after this that Johnny reported the kidnapping to the police who, six and half hours later, succeeded in locating Jefferson in a safehouse in Cabuyao, Laguna and freeing him after a 15-minute gunfight which killed three kidnappers.  The 4 other suspected members of the kidnap group perished in a shootout with police in Imus, Cavite early Saturday morning.

More on this story in this GMANews.tv article and in this flash report by Tina Panganiban-Perez:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

You will note that the GMA News article mentions Bacoor, Cavite as the scene of the Cavite shootout while the flash report video appears to show that it occurred at Bgy. Pasong Buaya in Imus, Cavite.

This GMA Weekend report by Mariz Umali says that the shootout did in fact happen in Imus, Cavite:

 

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

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June 22, 2009 — Classes Suspended Because of H1N1 at St. Scholastica Up to June 30, Also, at Central Elem. School 2 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna Up to June 28

22 June 2009

These are the latest in the rash of class suspensions triggered by H1N1.  

Classes have been suspended starting today, Monday, up to June 30 at St. Scholastica's College in Manila. The announcement was made by Ms. Vivian Manila, head of the college's security and safety department, who said that one of their students has tested positive for H1N1 infection.    

Classes have also been suspended for ten (10) days starting last Friday, June 19, at the Central Elementary School 2 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.  The suspension was made after six (6) students in said school showed symptoms of H1N1.  

This only goes to show that our education authorities' recommended strategy of "selective quarantine" in case of H1N1 infection is not finding much support on the ground. A DepEd and a CHED that do not inspire much confidence, I'd say, should go back to their drawing boards and put up something more reasonable. 

More on this story in this flash report by Lala Roque courtesy of GMANews.tv:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

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Rizal Shrine Painted Green by the NHI — Calamba Residents Want a Return to the Original Look

20 June 2009

The Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna has been painted green to the chagrin of some Calamba residents and visitors to the shrine.  Architect Reynaldo Inovero of the National Historical Institute (NHI) explained that the change was to reflect the Spanish equivalent of the surname Rizal which is Ricial, meaning 'green field.'

In this report by Maricar Bautista of ABS-CBN, she interviewed two visitors to the shrine and they both preferred the old look to the new one.

Why Rizal's House Turned Green, is an article by NHI Chairman Ambeth Ocampo explaining the change.  This blog post, House of Rizal, by Frank A. Hilario provides an informative and entertaining counterpoint to  Ambeth's piece.

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Rizalistas and Kabataan Party List Celebrate 148th Birth Anniversary of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal

19 June 2009

Today is the 148th birth anniversary of the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. 

The event was marked by wreath-laying ceremonies in Rizal Park by the Kabataan party list and the Rizalistas. Celebrations were also held at the Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna,  across the country and around the world especially in places where there are big Filipino communities or where there are chapters of the Knights of Rizal.

More on this story in this flash report by Connie Sison courtesy of GMANews.tv:

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

In his report, John Consulta showed how some 500 Rizalistas not only offered flowers at the Rizal Monument but also staged their version of a mass in honor of the national hero. 

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

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