Police file raps vs.
21 for pawnshop robbery
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

The police filed a robbery in band complaint before the Bacolod City Prosecutor's Office yesterday against 20 members of the Ozamis Gang and the driver of the van they used in robbing the F & C Pawnshop and Jewelry Store at Gonzaga Street of P1 million in jewelry Saturday.

Charged were Wagner Minggol, "alias Oliver" of Camaloc Tabuk, Kalinga Apayao; Gaudencio Monopollo Jr., with unknown address; Horry Bangiwan of San Carlos Heights, Baguio City; and James Gonzales of Cubao, Quezon City, Station 1 commander, Chief Insp. Danilo Francisco, said.

Also charged were Rolan Tambasen, 45, of Purok Sunflower, Brgy. Taculing, driver of the maroon Escapade van rented by the suspects, and 16 other "John Does", Francisco said.

Don’t let it happen again: Bing
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday assured the public that everything is being done to solve the robbery at F & C Pawnshop and Jewelry Store in Bacolod City Saturday, and that measures to prevent a recurrence are being put in place.

“I am telling Bacolod City police director, Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel, and the police force not to allow this to happen again,” Leonardia said.

This should serve as a stern warning to all the police not to allow themselves to be embarrassed, he said.

Bishop Vicente Navarra and his legal team are optimistic the Supreme Court will uphold the right of the Diocese of Bacolod to freedom of expression through its “Team Patay/Team Buhay” tarpaulin in front of the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City, lawyer Ralph Sarmiento said yesterday.

Navarra, Fr. Ireneo Gordoncillo and Diocese lawyers Mitchelle Abella, Raymundo Pandan and Sarmiento are set to appear before the SC en banc at 2 p.m. today for the hearing of their petition for certiorari and prohibition with application for preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order filed against the COMELEC.

The COMELEC had ordered the Diocese of Bacolod to remove its 6 by 10 feet “Team Patay/Team Buhay” tarpaulin that bears the names of senatorial candidates and partylist groups who voted for and against the Reproductive Health Law, for being oversized, in violation of the rule on campaign materials that should only be 2 by 3 feet.