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By Francis Allan L. Angelo
THERE is a possibility that melamine-laden milk from China will find its way to Western Visayas.
Thus, the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) urged the public to be vigilant and report the presence China-made milk products in stores around the region.
Delia Tarrosa, chief of BFAD’s Regulation and Enforcement Division, said grocery stores and establishments registered with their office have already pulled out Chinese branded milk products from their shelves.
But banned items can still be sold in stores that are not registered with the BFAD.
“There are small stores that don’t have permits from our office. The local government units are the only ones who can monitor and control these stores who might sell banned items,” Tarrosa said.
Tarrosa said they are also waiting for the consolidated report of their personnel and local governments around the region on the presence of banned China milk products in the local market.
The BFAD official advised consumers not to buy China milk until the agency has cleared the products of melamine contamination.
The food and drug agency will also seek the help of the Bureau of Customs to intercept at entry ports banned milk items from China.
Owners of stores violating the ban will be fined P300,000 and face imprisonment from six months to one year.
In a media advisory, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is working closely with BFAD in monitoring contaminated milk products in the market.
DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Cuison Maglaya, who is in-charge of the DTI Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulatory Group, said she also directed all DTI regional and provincial Offices to work closely with the Department of Health and local government units (LGUs).
DTI-Iloilo headed by Engr. Wilhelm Malones said they have coordinated with DOH-BFAD, the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Iloilo Chapter, and Iloilo City government in monitoring the entry of banned items.
Francis Chung, PRA-Iloilo president, said none of their chapter members is selling milk products from China allegedly containing melamine.
The BFAD had banned liquid and powdered milk, candy, biscuits, chocolate bars and drinks, and yogurt with dairy components from China.
The ban was imposed amid growing fears over the safety of dairy products made in China where four children have died and more than 50,000 have fallen ill after drinking milk tainted with the industrial chemical melamine.
Melamine has been found in infant formula and other milk products from 22 of China’s dairy companies. Suppliers trying to cut costs are believed to have added it to water-down milk because its high nitrogen content masks the resulting protein deficiency.
Melamine is a toxic chemical used in the manufacture of plastic and glue products. Several babies in China have died and many are suffering from kidney stones after consuming the contaminated milk.
By Francis Allan L. Angelo
THE controversial intelligence section chief of the Iloilo City Police Office has been charged with frustrated murder in relation to the August 13 shooting incident at General Luna Street, Iloilo City proper.
Roy Balsote and Federico Dolar, through their lawyers Cornelio Panes and Joviel Edama, filed the charges against Chief Insp. Musa Amiyong and media barker-turned-confidential agent Niel “Lito” Jimena with the Iloilo City Prosecutors Office Wednesday.
In a copy of the complaint, Amiyong and Jimena were accused of shooting Balsote and Dolar in the evening of August 13 near the flyover spanning General Luna and MH Del Pilar Streets.
Aside from the alleged attempt on their lives, the complainants claimed that Amiyong failed to inform them of their rights when the latter arrested them.
Dolar claimed that Amiyong and Jimena tried to kill them after he tried to get his “fee” for the botched bombing of floodway project at Brgy. Balabago, Jaro.
Dolar said Amiyong ordered him to bomb the project to please a contractor who lost in the bidding.
Amiyong and Jimena had denied the charges saying they arrested Dolar and Balsote for allegedly selling illegal drugs.
By Francis Allan L. Angelo
THE Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are more than willing to help Iloilo City’s sole power distributor run after power pilferers.
But there’s a caveat: heads must roll and charges must be filed against these thieves.
Engr. Randy Pastolero of Panay Electric Co. (Peco) said they sought the help of the PNP and the NBI in securing their personnel involved in apprehending power thieves.
Pastolero said they aim to lower their systems loss, which is pegged at 9 percent, by clamping down on residents who tap illegally to Peco lines.
Atty. Mario Sison, NBI regional director, said they are willing to help Peco’s campaign against pilferers “provided they file cases against erring persons.”
Sison said Peco must sue power thieves instead of just collecting arrears and fines.
“We might bear the brunt of things if no charges are filed against those caught stealing electricity from Peco,” Sison said.
Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, PNP regional director, said they are willing to provide security personnel to Peco during their operations.
Cuevas said a patrol-load of police personnel will escort Peco people if they apprehend pilferers in Iloilo City.
Pastolero said they are set to apprehend several personalities, including an unidentified government official, suspected of stealing electricity from the distribution firm.
scrimgeour
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