2nd Philippine Sports Tourism Awards set

CLARK FREEPORT — Nominations are now open for the 2nd Philippine Sports Tourism Awards.

This was announced recently by the awards founder and chair, Charles Lim.

Evolving around the Sports Tourism Forum a series of sports tourism lectures, workshops and conferences - held since 2004, the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA) had its inception last year.

The awards honor sports tourism destinations, sports event organizers, sports associations, sports charity event, local government agencies, event sponsors and destination marketing efforts.

The local government of Lubao (Organizer of the Year Award) and Clark Freeport (Best Destination Award) were among the 10 winners during the first Philippine Sports Tourism Awards.

This year, PSTA will expand its field to recognize an outstanding hotel, a tour agency and an airline in supporting sports tourism.

SAN SIMON – Two suspected drug users were arrested by local authorities here in separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted in Barangay Concepcion in this town yesterday.

Chief Inspector German Pascua, this town’s chief of police, identified the suspects as Mariano Balajadia, 33, and Vincent Almario, 25.

Balajadia, who is a former drug surrenderee and categorized as a street level target by the station’s drug enforcement unit, was arrested after selling a sachet of illegal drugs to a poseur buyer.

When arrested, police were able to recover five more sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu which is believed to be sold to other drug users in the town.

Meanwhile, Pascua disclosed that Almario was initially arrested for his attempt to steal a cellphone and sim card during a drinking session with the victim.

Allegedly, the victim whose name was retracted, left the suspect in his house to buy a bottle a beer but upon coming back, the suspect was no longer there and his cellphone missing.

The victim was able to seek the help of patrolling officers who later arrested Almario at Pulong Maliit in Barangay Concepcion.

Upon checking, police were able to recover the stolen cellphone and two sachets of suspected shabu in his possession.

Almario is now facing theft and drug charges while Balajadia is facing a case for drug peddling.

— Chris Navarro FIRE AND RESCUE. Angeles City Councilor Joseph ‘PG’Ponce, author of an ordinance creating the barangay fire and rescue brigades in 33 barangays, flash the PDU30 sign together with ACDRRMO, AC BFP and the first batch of fire and rescue teams.