PSG PROBES MEDIA LEAK OF GMA'S SCUBA DIVING ACTIVITY IN CEBU
BUSTOS, BULACAN, October 5, 2004 (STAR) The near drowning incident involving the close-in photographer of President Arroyo while taking her photos while scuba diving in Pescadores in Moalboal, Cebu last week has led the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to a deeper investigation of the incident.
The victim, Gerry Carual, was himself investigated along with other government officials, not because of the accident, but how the names of the President‘s scuba diving party was leaked to the media and even came out in The STAR’s front page last Friday when the event was supposed to be "closed for media coverage."
Even The STAR’s reporter was grilled on Sunday by the PSG’s Maj. Teddy Toribio, commanding officer of the presidential escorts of the PSG. Reached by The STAR for comment yesterday, PSG commander Col. Delfin Bangit said he was not aware that an inquiry was being conducted by his deputy but said it might be a normal procedure of post-operation inquiry, especially if there were incidents like the near drowning of Carual. Toribio, for his part, called The STAR yesterday to clarify that it was just a normal inquiry. "I apologize if I offended you.
But we are just conducting normal inquiry because we had a sad experience in the past of unauthorized disclosures." Toribio’s civilian counterpart, Cabinet Officer for Provincial Engagements (COPE) Conrado "Dodi" Limcaoco also explained that Mrs. Arroyo‘s scuba diving activity was closed for media coverage because it was the "President‘s private time."
Star editor’s sister injured in road mishap By James Mananghaya The Philippine Star 10/05/2004
BUSTOS, Bulacan — A volunteer church worker was seriously injured in a vehicular accident past midnight on Sunday while on her way home in Barangay Tanauan here.
Laila Fernando Tolosa, the sister of Alex Fernando, deputy managing editor of The STAR, was aboard a Toyota Tamaraw FX, with license plate WGE-183, on her way from the Bethlehem House of Breadan orphanage with her husband, Vonn, and their adopted child, Angela dela Cruz, when a white Isuzu Fuego Pick-up, with license plate UMC-302, rammed into their vehicle.
The Pick-up, which was owned by a certain Benjamin Cruz of Barangay Tanauan, was driven by Ruben Carpio, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol during the accident. Carpio, along with an unidentified companion, fled after the incident.
Laila’s husband said that when he went to the police station to report the incident, there was no policeman on duty and he had to wait for about 45 minutes before a police officer arrived.
Riza Fernando, the victim’s sister, said that Laila sustained segmental fractures on the right arm and another one close to the neck. There were also lacerations on her face and abrasions on her knees due to the impact of the collision. She is still under observation at the Sto. Niño Hospital where she and Dela Cruz were confined.
SPO3 Celestino Bautista, case investigator, said in a phone interview that as of press time, the suspect has not showed up at the police station. Charges will be filed against him, particularly reckless imprudence resulting to serious physical injuries and damage to property.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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