PEARL HARBOR: Four officers of a US Navy minesweeper that ran aground on coral reef are being relieved of their duties. The US Pacific Fleet said initial findings indicate all four sailors failed to adhere to standard navigation procedures at the time of the January 17 grounding of the Guardian. They’ve been reassigned. Workers recently finished dismantling and removing the vessel from Tubbataha National Marine Park. Officials said the grounding damaged about 4,000sqm of reef. The US could face a fine of more than $2m.
5.4 magnitude quake hits Luzon
MANILA: A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit parts of Luzon yesterday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The epicentre of the tectonic quake was recorded at Baler, Aurora, at around 10.30am. Nueva Ecija, Isabela, cities of Tarlac, Cabanatuan, Dagupan, Cauayan, Infanta, areas in Metro Manila such as Quezon City, Taguig City, Mandaluyong City, Pasay City and Antipolo City, Aglipay and Madella in Quirino, Malolos, Bulacan, Clark, Pampanga and Makati also felt it.
Top officials appointed
MANILA: President Aquino has appointed 61 members of the judiciary. Malacañang also announced reappointments and new appointments at the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Registration Authority. Aquino appointed 26 regional trial court judges, 20 municipal (circuit) trial court judges, 14 metropolitan trial court judges and one Sharia Circuit Court judge in Jolo, Sulu.
Foiled heist: one dies, two held
MANILA: Police shot dead a suspected armed robber in Muntinlupa City, the National Capital Region Police Office said. Rodel Margallo Dela Tore, believed to be a member of the bolt cutter robbery syndicate, was killed in a shootout with police during a follow- up operation in Bayanan, Muntinlupa. Police arrested his companions, Silvio Janiola Ligas, 45, and Rodello Santiago Lopez, 42. The three were believed to be responsible for the attempted robbery at Cubea Internet Shop along Pasig Boulevard Extension in Barangay Caniogan on March 29.
Two killed in shootout
MANILA: Two people were killed in a shootout at a checkpoint in Barangay San Dionisio in San Rafael, Iloilo. They were identified as Rex Belgira, 24, a village watchman of San Dionisio, and Gilbert Italia, 34, a resident of Barangay San Antonio in Barotac Viejo town. Italia’s cousin, Hernani Pulmones, 45, a retired soldier was wounded. Belgira and three watchmen set up the checkpoint at their village after his father Remy, the barangay captain, received reports that criminals were lurking in the area.
F/A-18 planes
for military drills
MANILA: The US is deploying a dozen F/A-18 fighters to the Philippines, the first time it has sent so many of the aircraft there, to take part in annual military drills with a close security ally amid rising tension in the Asia-Pacific region. “These exercises were planned more than a year ago,” an army spokesman said. agencies
