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17 killed as truck loaded with sand collides with passenger van
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews /25 March) – Seventeen persons were killed when a truck loaded with sand collided with a passenger van in Antipas, North Cotabato Monday noon. Captain Godofredo Tupas, Chief of Police of Antipas town said the collision happened along a curve at the boundary of Barangay Greenhills and Lohong at 12:48 p.m. The van […].....»»
Catapang tightens security after ambush
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. yesterday said security measures were doubled following the recent shooting incident involving his vehicle along the Skyway on Tuesday......»»
Abra village chief survives ambush
A barangay captain in Tayum, Abra was unhurt in an ambush in Bangued yesterday......»»
P500K reward offered for arrest Cotabato City disaster unit chief s killers
The mayor here has offered a P500,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the killers of the operations chief of the Cotabato City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, who died in an ambush along a busy thoroughfare here last week......»»
Cotabato City LGU disaster response official dies in ambush
Gunmen killed the operations chief of the Cotabato City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in an ambush here on Friday night, an incident that saddened the personnel of different government and private volunteer emergency response contingents he was closely associated with......»»
Ilocos village chief slain in ambush
A barangay chairman was killed in an attack by motorcycle-riding men in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur on Monday night......»»
Police still determining motive behind ambush of female doc
The chief of police of Buluan in Maguindanao del Sur said investigations are still ongoing to determine the motive behind the ambush of a female doctor Saturday night. “We are gathering more details to deepen our investigation,” 1Lt. Cemafranco Cemacio, chief of Police of Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur, said. Dr. Sharmaine Ceballos Baroquillo, 27, a resident […].....»»
Ex-barangay chief, son slain in Leyte attack
A former barangay chairman and his seven-year-old son were killed in an ambush in Villaba, Leyte on Monday afternon......»»
Village chief aspirant dies in ambush
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Lanao del Sur Provincial Police on Wednesday reported that a barangay chairperson candidate in Barangay Sigayan, Kapatagan town in Lanao del Sur was killed while his wife and son were injured after armed men ambushed them. Lanao del Sur Provincial Police director Col. Robert S. Daculan identified the fatality as Kamar Bilao Bansil, who is running for barangay chairperson in Barangay Sigayan in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Meantime, the fatality’s wife — identified as Jasmin and his son Manmo — both sustained gunshot wounds in different parts of their bodies. They were immediately rushed to a hospital by policemen and emergency responders from the Kapatagan local government unit. Daculan also identified the leader of the armed group as Pabil Pagrangan, the husband of Sigayan’s incumbent village chair. Initial reports disclosed that Bansil was driving his multi-cab vehicle with his wife and son on board when they were fired upon by the group of Pagrangan who positioned themselves along the road of Sigayan. Bansil was supposed to contest the re-election bid of Pagrangan’s wife, the incumbent barangay chair of Sigayan. Daculan said policemen are now conducting a hot pursuit operation against Pagrangan who fled with his cohorts to the different directions after the incident. The post Village chief aspirant dies in ambush appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Police identify persons of interest in ambush attempt on Misamis Occidental Gov.
The Philippine National Police on Wednesday said they now have persons of interest in the attempt on the life of Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal. PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, said they could not give the details yet or identities of the people behind the detonation of an improvised explosive device when Oaminal and his group narrowly escaped death during a highway explosion in Clarin town while en route to Ozamiz City less than an hour before midnight on 15 October. Fajardo however said that they are now tracking a vehicle that was spotted in Barangay Lapasan in Clarin town before the ambush try. Fajardo added that investigation revealed that the IED used also has traces of ammonium nitrate and was triggered by a cellular phone. Investigators, the police official said, also are not discounting that the attempt on the life of Oaminal may have been politically motivated. Security precautions were beefed up in the province and other places where the governor frequently visits. Fajardo added that PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has instructed all the local police chiefs in the area to coordinate with the local executives to prevent similar untoward incidents. Governor Oaminal, on the other hand, said earlier that crime groups wanted him out because of the progress of the province in terms of peace and order. The attack on his life, Oaminal said, was orchestrated by those who are behind narco-politics trying to make a comeback in the province. The post Police identify persons of interest in ambush attempt on Misamis Occidental Gov. appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LandBank, DBP won t have special treatment – BSP chief
“As far as regulation is concerned, we will evaluate their request as we do for any other requests by banks, and we will carry out the usual regulations that we carry out, so they [LandBank and DBP] will not be treated in a special way,” BSP Chairman Eli Remolona said in an ambush interview on Wednesday......»»
PBBM, DTI Chief spearheads distribution of livelihood kits in Camarines Sur
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. along with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual distributed various government assistance for the citizens of Pili, Camarines Sur......»»
New mission: BuCor reform
Following his tenure as chief of staff in the Armed Forces of the Philippines in 2015, retired four-star General Gregorio Pio Catapang chose to settle in Pampanga. Here, he embraced a simpler life as a farmer, relishing in the delights of native chicken, fresh produce, and the serene natural surroundings. “I am an environmentalist, so I decided to stay in Arayat, Pampanga, to be a farmer upon my retirement in October 2015, and I prayed, ‘Lord, it has been mission accomplished, so give me a new mission,’” Catapang narrated. The former military chief, the AFP’s 45th from July 2014 to 2015, is not a stranger to close encounters with mortality. Throughout his extensive service in the Philippine Army, from graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1981, he has endured several clashes with enemies, even more than one could count with the fingers. He held major positions in the AFP as commander of the 2nd Infantry Division — the Army’s largest unit, 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, 703 Infantry Brigade, and 28th Infantry Brigade, among others. He also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. His rise to prominence was not without hitches because he barely survived nine brushes with death. His strong faith in the Lord enabled him to be alive today. “The first incident that I encountered that almost ended my life was when I fell from the second floor of our house when I was just a kid; the second was when I was in the field where a provincial bus liner rammed the car I was in,” Catapang said. He was airlifted from Basa Airbase to V. Luna General Hospital and eventually transferred to Quezon City Medical City as he continued to bleed due to his severe injuries. “The doctor told me not to sleep because I might turn into a coma. So I fight on as the doctors continue to treat me,” he added. While still recovering, with his facial wounds still not yet fully healed, he was called by his commander to report back to work. “Nakangiwi pa ako dahil sa sugat (I was still grimacing in pain), but as a soldier, I followed the order, and that was then I realized that he was teaching me how to become chief of staff,” Catapang said, adding that as a good soldier, he had to endure the pain. He recalled that a chopper ride in the mountains of Cagayan also nearly took his life as it flew at 1,000 feet and traveled 18 knots. “The chopper is already old. I just have to make the sign of the cross as the chopper made a low-altitude flight due to poor visibility. We plunged downward, and I thought it was the end for me. But thankfully, the chopper normalized, and we safely landed,” he said. While in a restaurant in Angeles, Pampanga, Catapang said he was informed that NPA (New People’s Army) rebels would ambush him. “We ate at a chicken restaurant in Angeles and received information that I would be ambushed on returning to our camp. It was retaliation for the death of eight commanders of the NPA after movement patterns were detected based on information from barangay chairpersons,” he said. He cannot forget, too, that during the Pinatubo eruption in 1991, the roof of the building they were occupying collapsed due to the accumulated volcanic ash. Catapang, named after two generals — Gregorio del Pilar and Pio del Pilar — led his soldiers in helping the indigenous peoples in the area, giving them food, clothing, and other necessities. “The natives very loved us because of that,” he added. He said he is thankful to have emerged victorious and alive from the all-out war against Muslim secessionists in Mindanao. It almost ended his life, but he survived with solid faith in the Lord. Throughout his life, he consistently believed that prayers are always answered, particularly when reciting the rosary. Proof was when he fervently prayed to the Lord to allow him to marry his first girlfriend, and his request was granted. He married Maria Lourdes and has three children. Catapang’s early life lacked the excitement it later encompassed. He was a typical teenager. He attended high school at the Claret School of Quezon City. Shortly after graduating from PMA, he pursued graduate courses at the University of the Philippines. He is the second of four children of Gregorio Catapang Sr., a lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Lourdes Punzalan, an accountant at the Department of Finance, from whom he learned the value of public service. As a military officer, Catapang rallied the troops to strictly adhere to the AFP’s slogan of “Kawal DISIPLINADO, bawal ABUSADO, dapat ASINTADO” — three key words that spell out the Do’s and DON’T’s to become proficient in fire and maneuver and avoid collateral damage; be respectful of human rights, adhere to international humanitarian law and the rule of law, and the rules of engagement. Catapang moved on with his career and retirement life, carrying an excellent performance standard, exemplary leadership and a keen vision. Answered post-retirement prayer After retiring from active military service spanning 34 years, he received a divine blessing through a new mission. Following seven years of working as a farmer, he experienced a life-altering moment on the evening of October 19, 2021. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla gave him an offer to lead the Bureau of Corrections. Unaware of the challenges that awaited him within the BuCor, especially at the New Bilibid Prison, he accepted the offer. It was only later that he discovered the appalling issues of corruption among the prison staff and the dire condition of the overcrowded facilities. Under the guidance of Secretary Remulla, Catapang’s mission to reform the BuCor is yielding positive results. They are actively organizing culminating activities to release eligible individuals who have been deprived of their liberty. To alleviate the overcrowding in the jail facilities, the BuCor is actively organizing and implementing various reforms. The main goal is to transfer all persons deprived of liberty from the maximum security compound of the NBP to new facilities outside of Metro Manila. Catapang is confident plans will come to fruition, as they have already presented their long-term reform plan to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for approval. “At present, the reformation of BuCor is in full swing. I am confident we will accomplish and make things happen,” he said. The NBP, he said, is undergoing a significant transformation. The plan is to shut down the NBP in Muntinlupa and repurpose the area into a new business district similar to Bonifacio Global City in the southern part of Metro Manila. Explaining the reason behind the decision, he said high-end residential communities surround the current location of the NBP in Muntinlupa. To align with the surrounding environment, the intention is to close down the NBP and relocate all inmates to regional jail facilities nationwide. Catapang shared plans to dedicate eight hectares of land within the NBP to improve the living conditions of the settlers and provide them with opportunities for reintegration into society. “We will build condominium units for the settlers at the NBP, complete with amenities like a swimming pool, multipurpose facilities, and the like. Repair of residential houses is no longer possible, including power lines, so we decided to allocate the lands for them,” he added. The government will optimally use the land area by developing it into a business and government center, aligning with the DoJ’s plan. To support the food security initiatives of the President, he said they have already started the cultivation of approximately 10 hectares of land at the Iwahig Penal Colony. The aim is to grow rice and high-yield crops, contributing to the government’s long-term food security plans. “Hopefully, this will be done also to other penal farms of BuCor because we have ample lands for cultivation,” Catapang said. For the BuCor Director General who refused to be defined by limitations and setbacks, the relentless spirit and passion for reforms radiate triumphs against the most formidable odds. The post New mission: BuCor reform appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Herbosa: Corruption perennial problem in PhilHealth
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Tuesday admitted to lawmakers that corruption remains a perennial problem in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or PhilHealth. During the deliberation of the Commission on Appointments for his ad interim appointments, Herbosa was asked whether he could confirm the alleged corruption within the state-run health insurer. “As chairman, PhilHealth has been involved in many scams in the past administrations such as pneumonia scam, [and] cataract scam,” said Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte, the majority leader of the CA. “There are scams waiting to explode. The public is listening. Can you safely say that there is a syndicate in PhilHealth?” he added. Responding to Villafuerte’s query, Herbosa said that he had no proof to support the lawmaker’s claim. He, however, said that it has been a problem of every administration. “I have no proof that there is a syndicate. But it is true that every president and every administration had problems to deal with that,” he said. As secretary of the Department of Health, Herbosa says he sits as an ex-officio non-voting chairperson of the PhilHealth’s Board of Directors. He underscored the state-run health insurer’s role in realizing the promise of the Universal Health Care Act. “PhilHealth is important because the success of the Universal Health Care Law lies on it,” he said. “What I really want is an efficient running of PhilHealth. However, if it does not turn out well, we may propose suggestions to correct it legislatively,” he added. The Health chief said he is open to suggestions from lawmakers to dismantle the fraudulent activities in PhilHealth. “Maybe the legislature can help us with the laws that can actually change it, then probably cleanse PhilHealth of fraudulent individuals that are feeding on tons of money there that supposed to be given to the public,” he said. “There are still ways. We can discuss and study solutions to these problems that may arise,” he added. The post Herbosa: Corruption perennial problem in PhilHealth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teodoro gets CA nod
The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday approved the ad interim appointment of Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. as secretary of the Department of National Defense. Prior to his confirmation, the 12-member House contingent of the powerful CA spared Teodoro from questioning as a “courtesy” to the Defense chief who previously worked as Tarlac's 1st district representative. “The 12-member House of Representatives contingent will no longer ask questions regarding the nominee being a former member of Congress for three consecutive terms in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Congress,” said Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. LRay Villafuerte, the majority leader of the CA. Villafuerte added that the House contingent “has no doubt regarding the fitness and integrity of the nominee”. He appealed to their counterpart, the Senate to accord the same courtesy to Teodoro. From the 12-member Senate contingent, only Senator Risa Hontiveros asked questions to Teodoro. Hontiveros questioned Teodoro about his plans for the DND, now under his watch for the second time. He held the same position under the administration of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the age of 43, the youngest ever appointee to the agency. Responding to the lawmaker’s query, Teodoro admitted that there has been a “shift in the evolution” from his first stint in the DND. He noted that he is now focusing on “straddling the balance between maintaining internal security and with an emphasis definitely given what is happening to the outside environment.” “We are strengthening our defense posture. We are gradually enhancing the capabilities of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he said. The Defense chief said he is also working on “leveraging” the country’s alliance with other nations to strengthen the country’s capability to protect itself from external threats. By doing so, he noted that he would try to introduce “management solutions to managerial problems, and not military solutions to managerial problems.” “That is the transformation that we are trying to make. We are also deeply restrategizing what we intend to do at least in the next five years in order not only to make the defense department more responsive to the outside and internal environments but also to make more efficient our use of resources, and to use information technology to the highest extent possible,” he added. Teodoro also underscored the importance of strengthening the country’s capability to respond to external strength and not just rely on diplomacy. “[T]he intensity of the need to focus on protecting our sovereignty, our sovereign rights, in the exclusive economic zone and other jurisdictions of the country become more paramount now, as the whole world is in a raise for resources,” he said. “We could not afford to be laidback here. We should be cognizant of it because we can and principally use diplomacy, however, if diplomacy is not backed up by a strong spinal cord, then we will just be stymied by a greater force,” he added. He made the remarks amid the increasing tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. China claims the vast South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. On 12 July 2016, the Philippines won its arbitral case against China in the Permanent Court of Arbitration – a landmark decision that China continues to reject. Teodoro said the Defense Department wishes the concentrate on not only guarding the islands of the archipelago and its internal waters but also on securing “peaceful, unimpeded, and unobstructed exploitation, and exploration of our sovereign rights over the 200 nautical mile EEZ of the republic and in all areas of the Philippines, to secure our baselines.” Last June, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Teodoro’s appointment as the new DND secretary, replacing Carlito Galvez Jr. who led the agency for five months. Aside from Teodoro, the CA also approved the promotion of 11 generals and senior officers of the AFP. Jose Jesus Luntok, Ramon Flores, Dennis Pacis, Nasser Lidasan, Benedict Balaba, Steve Crespillo, Arvin Lagamon, Ivan Papera, Lloyd Cabacuñgan, and Fernando Ventura secured CA’s approval for their rank of Brigadier General. Peter Jempsun de Guzman’s rank of Commodore was also approved. The post Teodoro gets CA nod appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Village chief aspirant survives ambush
TACLOBAN CITY — Authorities reported on Friday that a barangay chairman aspirant was ambushed by still unidentified gunmen in Gandara town, Samar province which also saw the death of his two companions. Police identified the aspiring village chairman as Teresito Piczon, who was wounded when the motorboat they were riding was fired upon by unidentified men hiding on the hilly part as they were about to moor on the village port. Another individual identified as Marvin Taduyo also survived the ambush, while the other two — identified as Sammy Jumadiao and Rolando Casaljay — died in the ambush. The four are residents of Barangay Caugbusan, a village at the boundary of Gandara and Santa Margarita towns some 20 kilometers from the town proper and accessible only either by boat or foot. Reports also disclosed that Casaljay was able to run but was chased by the gunmen, who took turns in hitting him with rifle butts on the different parts of his body, causing his death. The armed group, allegedly led by a certain Alyas Piyos, immediately fled to the mountain side of the village by foot immediately after the incident. The wounded victims were immediately brought to the Gandara District Hospital. The post Village chief aspirant survives ambush appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t torn on school opening issue
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government has yet to decide on the proposal to return the opening of classes to its pre-pandemic schedule. Asked during an ambush interview in Manila if he supports the call to implement the old academic calendar, Marcos said the Department of Education is currently conducting a study to determine the best course of action. “Returning to the old school schedule? We’re discussing that. We were talking with the teaching staff here. I asked them about their preference,” Marcos said. The Chief Executive acknowledged that the issue on the academic calendar is a complex one, given the changes caused by the pandemic and the need to address climate change. Marcos also underscored the importance of considering the welfare of both the students and the teachers. “The current schedule is very hot, and even the children are suffering. So, we need to study what’s best to do,” Marcos said. “We don’t have a preference like this one is better or better. We’re just looking at what’s best for both the kids, especially the children, and for the teachers and non-teaching staff. We need to consider that if we expose them to excessive heat, they might be unable to do their jobs properly and might even get sick,” he added. The Brigada Eskwela 2023 prompted the President to visit Victorino Mapa High School in Manila, where he examined several classrooms. During the visit, Marcos received information about the ongoing maintenance activities at the school, which are geared toward getting everything ready for the commencement of the new academic year on 29 August. “We have once again seen how important it is, especially here in the Philippines, for all, including parents, teachers, and whoever volunteers when it comes to our children, to truly have the willingness to help to enhance their schooling experience,” President Marcos said in a brief message during the event. “And perhaps this is something new as well because we underwent a lockdown, we made some progress, and now this is probably the very first — this is the first school opening that’s somewhat normal after the lockdown. Normal, but we have made many changes and addressed many complaints, which are what our DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte have persevered and worked hard for,” he added. Marcos also made a PhP1 million donation to the school in addition to paint and cleaning materials that he has extended for its Brigada Eskwela program. Launched in 2003, Brigada Eskwela is an annual nationwide school maintenance program that engages education stakeholders to contribute their time, effort, and resources to prep schools for the opening of classes. On August 7, the DepEd conducted the national kick-off of the 2023 Brigada Eskwela at the Tarlac National High School, which will run from August 14 to 19. This year’s Brigada Eskwela carries the theme, “Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,” and will run for six days up to 19 August. The post Gov’t torn on school opening issue appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Return to old school schedule? Not yet, says PBBM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government has yet to decide on the proposal to return the opening of classes to its pre-pandemic schedule. Asked during an ambush interview in Manila if he supports the call to implement the old academic calendar, Marcos said the Department of Education is currently conducting a study to determine the best course of action. "Returning to the old school schedule? We're discussing that. We were talking with the teaching staff here. I asked them about their preference," Marcos said. The Chief Executive acknowledged that the issue on the academic calendar is a complex one, given the changes caused by the pandemic and the need to address climate change. Marcos also underscored the importance of considering the welfare of both the students and the teachers. "The current schedule is very hot, and even the children are suffering. So, we need to study what's best to do," Marcos said. "We don't have a preference like this one is better or better. We're just looking at what's best for both the kids, especially the children, and for the teachers and non-teaching staff. We need to consider that if we expose them to excessive heat, they might be unable to do their jobs properly and might even get sick," he added. For the Brigada Eskwela 2023 project, the President visited Victorino Mapa High School in Manila, where he examined several classrooms. During the visit, Marcos received information about the ongoing maintenance activities at the school to get everything ready for the start of the new academic year on 29 August. "We have once again seen how important it is, especially here in the Philippines, for all, including parents, teachers and whoever volunteers when it comes to our children, to truly have the willingness to help to enhance their schooling experience," Marcos said in a brief message during the event. "And perhaps this is something new as well because we underwent a lockdown, we made some progress, and now this is probably the very first -- this is the first school opening that's somewhat normal after the lockdown. Normal, but we have made many changes and addressed many complaints, which are what our DepEd Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte have persevered and worked hard for," he added. Marcos also made a P1 million donation to the school in addition to paint and cleaning materials that he had extended for its Brigada Eskwela program. Launched in 2003, Brigada Eskwela is an annual nationwide school maintenance program that engages education stakeholders to contribute their time, effort and resources to prepare schools for the opening of classes. On 7 August, the DepEd conducted the national kick-off of the 2023 Brigada Eskwela at the Tarlac National High School. This year’s Brigada Eskwela carries the theme, “Bayanihan para sa Matatag na Paaralan,” and will run for six days from 14 to 19 August. The post Return to old school schedule? Not yet, says PBBM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LTO warns public vs license plate scammers
Land Transportation Office chief, Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, on Sunday warned motorists who are yet to claim their license plates against unscrupulous individuals and groups that want to make money out of the distribution process. This early, Mendoza said he is already receiving reports that some people are already negotiating with LTO clients for a P200 fee as they have been claiming that the distribution process would mean long queues in all district offices and distribution sites. “Sinasabi ay para hindi na daw pumila ay magbayad na lang daw ng P200 para mabilis. I am telling our kababayan now na hindi po totoo yan, meron na po tayong mga inihandang sistema para maging maayos, at mabilis ang distribution process,” said Mendoza. “And take note, libre po ito kaya I am asking our kababayan to immediately report to us kung sino ang nanghihingi ng pera para makuha ang kanilang plaka dahil sisiguraduhin ko mismo na mapaparusahan ang mga taong ito,” he added. Mendoza said the distribution process has already started in some areas of the country, particularly in Bicol Region. Both the LTO Sorsogon and Naga City in Camarines Sur also conducted a partial distribution of replacement plates on August 11. “This is the kind of public service that the Filipino people expect from us at ito naman ang mahigpit na tagubilin ng ating DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista—na mapabilis at maging maayos ang distribution ng mga plaka upang mapasakamay na ng ating mga kababayan ang mga plakang ito na matagal na nilang nabayaran,” Mendoza said. Mendoza advised motorists that the LTO will come up with an appointment system for a systematic and orderly distribution of unclaimed license plates, including in the malls that are being eyed as distribution sites. “And we will put ‘mystery persons’ who will get their plates no para malaman natin, ma-validate at ma-monitor natin kung talagang pineperahan yung taong ‘to o hindi,” said Mendoza. He also urged LTO regional directors and heads of District Offices to come up with the best ways to distribute the unclaimed license plates at the soonest possible time, or earlier than the 60-day deadline he imposed. The post LTO warns public vs license plate scammers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iriga cop chief sacked
The police chief of Iriga City in Camarines Sur has been relieved from his post over the arrest of a radio.....»»