NATION ROUNDUP
1 PANGASINAN / BUYER OF STOLEN CARS NABBED
Police arrested Cristina Balikod, who is suspected of buying allegedly carnapped vehicles from agents. Recovered from the suspect are one caliber 22 revolver with several ammunition, five sachets of suspected illegal drugs, cash amounting to over P400,000 and 10 undocumented motorcycles. In her defense, the suspect said the motorcycles were only pawned to her by clients. Charges of illegal possession of firearms and illegal drugs are being prepared against Balikod. Senior Inspector Reynante Organista, Asingan, Pangasinan deputy chief of police, said Balikod could also face carnapping charges if they prove that the vehicles recovered from her house were stolen. Organista said they were coordinating with the Land Transportation Office and the Highway Patrol Group to verify the origins of the recovered motorcycles./
2 MANILA / SPECIAL COURT SOUGHT FOR CASES VS. COPS
The Senate conducted its first hearing on the bill seeking to create special courts that will exclusively try cases involving police officials. Senate bill no. 1274 or the Police Court Act of 2016 seeks to “establish the police law enforcement courts and grant these courts exclusive original jurisdiction over violations of constitutional rights and PNP rules of engagement committed by the police.” Senator Richard Gordon, proponent, said the creation of exclusive courts will speed up the resolution of cases involving erring police, including those involved in summary killings.
3 MISAMIS ORIENTAL / BRIDGE COLLAPSES
A part of the Igpit Bridge that is undergoing construction in Opol, Misamis Oriental collapsed Tuesday morning, impeding traffic flow in the town. As of 2:55 p.m. Tuesday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Northern Mindanao has sent personnel to man the traffic and ensure public safety in the area. DPWH spokesperson Vinah Maghinay, quoting their project engineer, said the structure collapsed because the ground was saturated after continuous rains. She also noted that the bridge was built only for one-way traffic on each side. DPWH has instructed the contractor to repair the damage.