Central Luzon updates

Power transmission grid operator NGCP energized the Hermosa-San Jose 500-kiloVolt (kV) transmission line, a very significant energy project with national importance especially for the Luzon transmission backbone. 

Spanning Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan provinces, the project will strengthen transmission services and accommodate new bulk power generation from the Bataan area, NGCP claimed, adding, “the Hermosa-San Jose 500kV project is a major component in our planned Luzon 500kV transmission backbone.”  

Despite many challenges, our teams worked 24/7 to complete this facility. With the energization of the line comes the improved transmission from generation sources towards the load center Metro Manila and nearby provinces,” said Henry Sy Jr., major stockholder and NGCP’s former president and CEO.

Besides the new transmission line from Bulacan to Bataan, the project includes the construction of a new Hermosa 500kV Substation, which will enable better voltage regulation and power transfer from existing 230kV facilities in the area. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

A military official says that a government trooper— Private Jaylord Hipolito— was killed after the Philippine Army's 84th Infantry Battalion clashed with communist rebels in Baranfay Rio Chico, Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija, about 10 a.m. Thursday.

Another soldier — Private First Class Francis Lictawa — was hurt and was airlifted to the Fort Magsaysay Station Hospital for treatment.

Troopers were on combat operations against rebels who “continuously threatened, deceived and harassed the communities,” says Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, commander of the said batallion. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao 

A Korean national was found dead in a car parked in a secluded area in Barangay Baluan in General Santos City on Monday.

Hyun Seong Hun, a businessman, was killed with a gun, according to officials of the General Santos City police.

Investigators told reporters Hyun's killer tried but failed to set the victim's car on fire. — The STAR/John Unson 

 A fragmentation grenade was found in front of the gates of ousted Jaen, Nueva Ecija mayor Sylvia Austria's house Saturday dawn, suspected as a threat against her moves to get her post back after leaving last December.

Lawyer Dominic Garen, speaking in Austria's behalf, says local police are looking at CCTV footage captured when men on a motorcycle lobbed the grenade in front of Austria’s home in Barangay San Jose.

The men did not pull the grenade's pin before throwing it, so it did not explode. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Government security forces say they caught a top-ranking New Peoples Army leader from southern Luzon  in Bulacan. 

Philip Alcantara alias “Ka Joshua”, alleged platoon leader of Regional Special Operations Group, Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC), was cornered in barangay Panginay, Guiguinto, Bulacan at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, authorities say.

According to Maj. Israel Galorio, spokesman of the Northern Luzon Command, the alleged NPA Southern Tagalog leader is the son of Tirso Alcantara alias “Ka Bart”, whom he described as "an NPA commander turned [National Democratic Front of the Philippines] consultant”, who is still at-large and being hunted for several murder cases, which includes the ambush of Rep. Marcial Punzalan Jr. (Quezon) in 2001.

Recovered from the younger Alcantara were a Cal .45 pistol, ammunition and a hand grenade. — The STAR/Artemio Dumlao

Follow this thread for updates from the Central Luzon region.

Known as the source of most the country's rice, the region includes the provinces of  Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.

Photo: Pampanga's iridescent giant lanterns pays homage to frontliners at the 112th Ligligan Parul which aims to bring joy and hope, as well as to keep the Kapampangan tradition alive amid the pandemic. Philstar.com/Deejae Dumlao