Nabbed cop linked to
drug syndicate
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

The former policeman wanted for the kidnapping and murder of Brgy. Phanocoy Captain Eluterio Salabas and three others in 2003 who was nabbed in of Los Baños town, Laguna is linked to an organized drug syndicate, town police head, Chief Insp. Conrado Magsongsong, said yesterday.

Magsongsong said that former Senior Insp. Bonifer Gotas is still under their custody and will be transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

He said Gotas’ group is a dealer of shabu not only in Laguna but also in neighboring towns and provinces and their supply comes from a Filipino Chinese inmate of the Philippine National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. who is blaming the Commission on Audit for the delay in deciding on the review of the sale and lease of the 7.7-hectare prime property of the provincial government to Ayala Land Inc., yesterday said that they have no choice but to de-prioritize the Capitol Civic Center project, in order to move on and focus on other development projects in Negros Occidental.

“At this juncture, we will leave it up to the Ayala Land Inc, to decide for themselves on whether they would like to continue with the project,” Marañon said, as he expressed his gratitude for their support for the development of Negros Occidental.

“In the meantime, we will start to put into motion whatever steps are necessary to shift our resources and energy to other worthwhile developments, which may have not been wasted by unjustified opposition and unnecessary delays,” he added.

A five-day holiday begins Thursday until Monday, with President Benigno Aquino III having declared Saturday, April 7, a non-working day.

Labor Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom yesterday urged all private sector employers in Western Visayas to observe labor standards during the holidays.

The President, in Proclamation 360 released yesterday, declared Black Saturday, on April 7, a special non-working day throughout the country.