ORMOC CITY– Local police in San Isidro, Northern Samar, recovered approximately 8.399 kilos of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of more than P57 million.
The discovery was made after two farmers found the illegal items inside a nipa hut at about 3:25 pm on Sunday, July 14, in Barangay San Roque in the said town.

Lt. Millen Charles-Vincent M. Reyes, town police chief, identified the two farmers who reported the find as alias “Jay’r,” 65, a widower, and alias “Albert,” 57.

In an interview, Lt. Reyes disclosed that the farmers personally appeared at their police station at about 6:45 pm on Sunday, July 14, to turn over two white transparent plastic bags containing a white crystalline substance suspected to be shabu.

The farmers found the bags in an abandoned and dilapidated hut near their house.
Lt. Reyes explained that after receiving the information and the items from the farmers, the police immediately proceeded to the location to verify the information and investigate further.

Upon arrival, they discovered a green sack containing six plastic bags of suspected shabu, three empty white transparent plastic bags, three empty green transparent plastic bags, and two green eco-bags.

Reyes suspects that the initial finders of the substance were unaware of its contents, as it appeared they had opened the plastic bags and poured the contents onto the ground.
However, due to continuous rain, the substances had dissolved.

The responding officers brought the recovered items to their station and conducted an inventory in the presence of the village chairman of San Roque and a representative from the Department of Justice-National Prosecution Services.

The town police chief said that they are still conducing their investigation as to why the suspected shabu were found in the area and who could be the owner/s of these illegal drugs.

During the inventory, it was confirmed that the recovered suspected shabu weighed 8.399 kilos, with an estimated street value of P57,113,200.

The items were turned over to the Northern Samar provincial police office forensic unit for further examination. (ROBERT DEJON)

MANILA– Department of Energy(DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla emphasized in an interview the crucial need for knowledge transfer before the country embarks on the operation of nuclear power plants.

Sec. told reporters that handling nuclear power requires sophisticated expertise.
He highlighted the necessity of knowledge transfer due to the complexities involved in nuclear operations.

One of the major considerations, he noted, is the potential misuse of nuclear technology for weapon production, alongside the need for proper management of radioactive materials to avoid future problems.

“Unlike coal power plants, which are less dangerous to handle, nuclear power plants require a deep understanding of the machinery and technology to ensure safety and efficiency,” Lotilla explained during an interview on the sidelines of a media training held here on July 10.

He also stressed the importance of having a designated place to deposit transferred materials, as this is a critical aspect of transporting nuclear materials.

The DOE plans to bring in experts in nuclear technology, recognizing its applications beyond the power sector, including agriculture and medicine, all of which need to be regulated.
Lotilla mentioned the existing Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which already exercises several regulatory powers.

The DOE Secretary projected that the possibility of having a nuclear power plant in the country might materialize in the late 2020s or early 2030s.
(ROBERT DEJON)

QUEZON CITY – In a significant breakthrough during the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) – Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division (NBI-AHTRAD) in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) rescued a six-day-old baby, and arrested a midwife allegedly involved in facilitating illegal online adoption in an entrapment operation held in Muntinlupa City last July 16, Tuesday.

The investigation, spearheaded by the NBI-AHTRAD, began when the DOJ-IACAT’s Cyber Tip Center flagged the suspect’s suspicious activity on Facebook.

The tip-off indicated that the suspect was allegedly selling a baby through a social media account under a different name.

Arrested was a 51-year-old midwife, who offered a six-day-old baby, alias “Angel,” for P25,000.

The accused waived her right to preliminary investigation during the inquest proceedings held last July 17, Wednesday at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Ermita Manila.

She is charged for violating Republic Act (RA) 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination”, and the RA 9208 or the “Anti-Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Act”, as amended by RA 10364, and RA 11862.

The rescued newborn was immediately handed over to the DSWD for proper care and protection.

National Authority for Child Care (NACC) Undersecretary Janella Ejercito Estrada was present during the inquest proceedings, and lauded the operation of the NBI, saying, “This arrest is a crucial step in our relentless fight against child trafficking, and illegal adoption.

The NACC is to chair the newly-created DOJ-IACAT-Technical Working Group on Anti-Illegal Adoption.”

“We commend the NBI and all involved agencies for their swift and decisive action. The NACC remains committed to protecting the welfare of children and ensuring that those who exploit them are brought to justice. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.”

Estrada reiterated the commitment of the DSWD, NACC, DOJ through the NBI, and other partner agencies to combat child trafficking, illegal online adoption, and protect vulnerable children from potential exploitation.

Meanwhile, the NACC also provided a certification to the NBI which validated that the suspect did not undergo the legal adoption process before the agency. (PR)