Dengue Alert

CAMPAIGN AGAINST DENGUE

DR. Expedito Medalla, head of the Regional Epidemiological and Surviellance Unit (RESU-7), said they are launching a more pro-active campaign against dengue in preparation for the rainy season.

“Residents should continue their search and destroy methods and make sure that no water receptacles are left open,” Medalla said.

According to the April 30 dengue update of RESU-7, 10 deaths and 1,268 cases has been recorded for Central Visayas this year.

This is 74 percent lower compared to the 2,237 cases and 23 deaths last year.

Majority of the cases were from Cebu City with 365 cases and five deaths followed by Mandaue City (117 cases, one death) and Lapu-lapu City (114 cases with zero death).

Two deaths were reported from Talisay City and one from Danao City.

Meanwhile, Medalla advised residents to remove empty tin cans and used car tires where dengue carrying mosquitoes breed.

Aside from the cleanup drives, Resu-7 is also focusing on information and education campaign for residents, he said.

“Our recommendations would be useless if the residents would also not follow our sanitation advice,” Medalla said. /Reporter Candeze R. Mongaya

BRGY DAD CONVICTED

THE court convicted a barangay councilor of Carcar City for preventing police officers from arresting his brother who is facing murder charges.

William Racoma of barangay Liburon, Carcar City, was found guilty of “obstruction of apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders” and was meted a fine of P1,000.

He is also disqualified from holding public office.

In her decision, Judge Grace Ypil of the Municipal Trial Court in Carcar City found sufficient basis to convict Racoma whose defense was based on mere denial.

“Denial is an intrinsically weak defense, which must be buttressed by strong evidence of nonculpability to merit credibility,” the judge said.

On Nov. 24, 2008, Racoma allegedly led around 20 people in stopping policemen from arresting his brother, subject of an arrest warrant issued by the court.

The actuations of the accused delayed the prosecution of his brother, the court said. /Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol