BTAC eyed 3 motives in Korean national shooting; suspects’ cartographic sketch, prepared

Posted December 10, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) now looking into three motives on Korean national’s case, who was shot by unidentified suspects in the island of Boracay.

According to Officer on Case Police Officer 1 Alan Zamora, they couldn’t reveal the motives yet since that they are still waiting for the victim’s recovery headed for suspects’ cartographic sketch.

However, away from this BTAC has already prepared one of the suspects’ cartographic sketches based on the description of one of the witnesses to the crime.

Meanwhile, it can be recalled that Korean national Jin Woo Lee was walking near his rented apartment in Sitio Bolabog in Barangay Balabag on November 26 when two unidentified suspects shot the Korean national, who suffered two gunshot wounds in his lower right armpit.

Lee is now in stable condition at the Panay Health Care Multi-purpose Cooperative Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan.

Stranded passengers in Caticlan Jetty Port still unable to leave

Posted December 9, 2014

Written by Jay-Ar Arante

Stranded passengers going to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, and Batangas City are expected to stay longer in Caticlan Jetty port.

This was due to the threat of bad weather brought by Typhoon Ruby in some areas of Northern Luzon and Mindoro Island, as per reports from PAGASA.

Caticlan Jetty Port Special Operations Officer III Jean Pontero said that the total number of stranded passengers in their protection is 39.

According to Pontero, passengers from different provinces in Region 6 were stranded since Friday after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) released an advisory suspending vessels’ operation because of Typhoon Ruby.

She added that that they continue to provide food to the passengers until the operation of the RoRo vessels are ‘Okayed’.

Meanwhile, motorbancas in Caticlan and Cagban Vice resumed operation after it was cancelled due to said typhoon.

AKELCO: 100% restore power lines in Aklan, days after typhoon Ruby crosses the province

Posted December 9, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

No major damages to power lines in Aklan.

This was the striking message of Aklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO) days after typhoon Ruby crosses the province December 7, 2014.

According to Arvin Ibesate of AKELCO, to ensure public safety they are following the continuous inspection, repair and restoration of power lines in province.

AKELCO’s report says: “Problems that occur are only wires that have been partially damage due to plunging branches of trees or some that has been leak.”

However, AKELCO cleared that it was already resolved by their office.

Meanwhile, AKELCO stressed that their office is open to any problems that might mount to them and thus, they have committed their best efforts to speed-up power restoration to alleviate the plight of the member-consumers affected by calamities.

Boracay evacuees can now go back to their humble abodes

Posted December 8, 2014

Written by: Jay-ar M. Arante

Mayor John Yap of Malay, Aklan has allowed the evacuees to return to their respective homes after the typhoon Ruby (International name: Hagupit) has taken another course, going to Mindoro area.

Although Aklan is still under storm signal number 1, the typhoon will no longer have any impact to the whole province of Aklan, most especially the island of Boracay.

It was noted that more than 400 families were evacuated to designated evacuation centers provided by the Local Government Unit of Malay.

Aside from Boracay, residents from the coastal barangays in mainland Malay were also allowed to go home.

On the other hand, Mayor Yap prohibited the citizens to swim in the waters of Boracay until the storm signal is not yet lifted.

Meanwhile, there were no listed incidents by the LGU regarding Typhoon Ruby because of the immediate and quick preparation and coordination of the mainland Malay and Boracay Island Citizens.

PDRRMC Aklan still determining, validating Ruby casualties

Posted December 8, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Aklan still determining and validating Ruby casualties in the province.

Office of the Aklan PDRRMC Exec. Officer Galo Ibardolaza said: “So far, there has been no reported damages in Aklan neither those who were injured in the disaster.”

Indeed, their agencies were currently monitoring municipalities in the province.

On the other hand, Ibardolaza reminded the residents to be still more watchful especially those who were evacuated coming from low-lying areas.

However, based on the latest weather reports, typhoon Ruby weakens while it crosses the Sibuyan Sea.

The Official Gazette quoted PAGASA as saying that as of 8 a.m., Ruby weakened into a tropical storm with maximum winds of 105 kph and gustiness of 135 kph.