Vox Bikol

NAGA CITY (Jan 7, 2012) – On the 115th yearly commemoration of the 15 Martyrs of Bicol, Naga City’s chief executive and a top commander of the Philippine Army division in the region led the wreath laying rites at the “Plaza Quince Martires” in this city’s downtown district early morning of Wednesday (Jan. 4).

This year’s commemoration had a significant participation of a contingent from the army division here, giving honors with the ritual taps and 21-gun-salute during the ceremonies led by Naga Mayor John Bongat and Army Brig. Gen. Pedro Sinajon, assistant Division Commander of the 9th Infantry Division.

MANILA, Philippines (Dec. 23, 2011) - As soon as it announced that the count of people reported missing from tropical storm 'Sendong' jumped from 51 to 1079, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said it shall stop releasing missing count report.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos explained that the large number of unidentified dead bodies - 445 in Cagayan de Oro City and 312 in Iligan City - complicates the count of the missing as it might have included those already reported dead.

NAGA CITY (9:00 AM, Dec 17, 2011) - Maintaining its strength, Tropical Storm Sendong (International name: Washi) now heads for Sulu Sea after passing close to the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan and now threatens southern Palawan where it is expected to traverse early Sunday morning.

Sendong still packs a centerwind of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness up to 100 kph, which is expected to still intensify as it travels over Sulu Sea at 31 kph in West Northwest direction.

NAGA CITY (3:00 AM, Dec 17, 2011) - Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) retains it strength - centerwind of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness up to 100 kph. - after crossing Agusan Del Sur and Bukidnon late last night, passing near Cagayan De Oro City.

Strong winds and widespread rains are now lashing Western Mindanao and Southern Visayas as Sendong moves West Northwest over Iligan Bay at 26 kilometers per hour (kph) towards the province of Misamis Occidental and the cities of Dapitan and Dipolog, which are just about 100 kilometers (km) away.

Tropical Storm Sendong (International name: Washi) intensified overnight and is expected make landfall this afternoon (approx 1-2 PM local time) near Bislig City in Surigao del Sur and still endangers the rest of Northern Mindanao and the Southern Visayas.

As of 6:00 AM today (Friday, Dec 16), the center of Sendong was spotted 265 kilometers (km) East Souteast of Bislig City, Surigao del Sur or 375 km East Souteast of Butuan City or at coordinates 7.5º North Latitude 128.6º East Longitude. The tropical storm now packs a centerwind of 75 kilometers per hour and gustiness up to 95 kph and was moving directly Westward at 31 kph towards the Surigao Del Sur-Agusan Del Sur provinces.

Tropical Storm Sendong (International name: Washi) now endangers Northern Mindanao and Southern Visayas as it maintains its fast West to West-Northwest movement.

As of 6:00 PM Thursday (Dec 15), the center of Sendong was spotted 545 kilometers (km) East Souteast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur or 668 km Souteast of Surigao City with centerwind of 65 kilometers per hour and gustiness up to 85 kph and was moving directly Westward at 30 kph towards the Surigao provinces.

NAGA CITY (Dec 14, 2011) - In the field of lawmakers that include Congressmen Edcel Lagman, a loyal Arroyo supporter, Dato Arroyo, former presidential son, and Rolando Andaya, Jr., former Budget secretary, 7 out of 16 Bicolano district representatives in the Lower House signed the resoluton to impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Two of 3 Ako Bicol partylist representatives – Rodel Batocabe and Alfredo Garbin Jr. - also signed in, favoring the ousting of the Chief Justice.

In total, 9 Bicol lawmakers joined the 188 signatories to the Corona impeachment resolution.

NAGA CITY (Dec 13,2011) – In response to the resurgence of motorcycle-borne “riding in tandem” robbers, thirty policemen have volunteered to use their personally-owned motorcycles to patrol the 27 Barangays of this city and augment the city police’s  integrated anti-crime system.

The police chief is appreciative of the scheme where “riding in tandem” cops shall be fitted against “riding in tandem” criminals.