DAILY STAR: Negros Oriental

The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office cleared Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino, the relieved chief of police of Dumaguete City, from allegations that he is involved in illegal drug activities.

NOPPO deputy provincial director Supt. Alet Virtucio said the white paper earlier circulated, alleging that Tolentino was involved in drug activities, is not true and has no basis, and aimed to malign, not only Tolentino but to discredit the PNP organization as a whole.

The allegation surfaced a few days after Tolentino was relieved from his post by NOPPO director, Senior Supt. Edward Carranza, after the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group claimed that the COP intervened in the arrest of a drug suspect, who Tolentino said, is an asset of the Dumaguete Police Office.

Degamo insists
on P350M loan
BY JUANCHO GALLARDE

Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo said the proposed resolution of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, seeking to withdraw the earlier authority it gave him to apply for a P350 million loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines, is irregular.

He said the first resolution is legal and binding, and will be implemented 15 days after its passage.

He questioned the legality of the second resolution since it was suggested by SP member Scott Wayne Husain, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, who was absent during the special session when the SP gave Degamo the authority to seek the loan for the construction of the central block building of the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

Early closure deal between
PHL, RPA-ABB pushed
BY JUDY F. PARTLOW

Col. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, yesterday assured that firearms owned by the breakaway rebel group, the Revolutionary Proletariat Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, will not be used for personal motives while the peace negotiations with the Philippine government are ongoing.

Patrimonio admitted, though, that until the firearms are turned over to the government once the closure agreement is reached, it will be difficult to monitor the weapons that are still in the possession of the RPA-ABB.

The firearms have been inventoried by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process as a prelude to the closure agreement that is expected this month or in October, Patrimonio said.

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