NEWS
Recalls sex abuse cases
Gabriela nixes RP-US Balikatan
By Roy Gersalia and Ephraim Aguilar
Filed Under: Military, Defense, Protest
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—The women party-list Gabriela has joined other groups in opposing the staging of joint military exercises between the Philippines and the US in the Bicol region this April, fearing a full return of US military basing in the country and the culture of sexual abuse that once prevailed in Subic and Clark decades ago.
Going over records, Jenelyn Nagrampa, secretary general of Bikolana Gabriela, recalled their group filed 97 cases of rape and sexual assault against American soldiers in Clark and Subic, in which 15 of the victims were children.
She said this was before 1990 when the US bases in the country were closed down.
Nagrampa added that when the US military bases were in the country, more than 3,000 cases of abuse of women and children were filed by other sectors and individuals against US servicemen in Clark Air Field from 1980 to 1988.
“Sadly, justice was not served to any of the victims. None of the cases have been resolved. Others have not even been reported,” she said.
“The public should be reminded that there was more than just one Nicole,” she added.
Nicole was the victim in the much-publicized Subic rape case in 2005, wherein US Marine Daniel Smith was convicted while three others were acquitted. Smith is detained at the United Estates Embassy as he asked the Philippine Court of Appeals to review his case.
The Subic rape case is considered a landmark case, being the first case of a conviction among over 3,000 cases filed against US service members in the Philippines.
Nagrampa said Gabriela would file a resolution in the House of Representatives urging the government to ban US troops from coming to Bicol.
The annual joint military exercises, which Philippine Army officials said would include humanitarian projects, would be staged in three Bicol provinces — Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon–in April.
She added that if Balikatan would push through in Bicol, it might increase cases of women abuse, prostitution, and spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Earlier, Bishop Lucilo Quiambao of the Diocese of Legazpi expressed opposition to the coming of the US troops in Bicol, saying it might affect the moral condition of the people, especially women.
Nagrampa said that aside from the resolution to be filed in Congress, Gabriela would also step up its awareness campaign among women in areas covered by the exercises.
Tessa Lopez, spokesperson of Bayan-Bikol (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, New Patriotic Alliance), said a massive rally has been scheduled for January 22 expected to coincide with the reported arrival of US Ambassador Kristy Kenney to Bicol.
“This is to show the urgency and seriousness of our call against Balikatan and the long-debated Visiting Forces Agreement,” she added.
A Sorsogon-wide group named “Sorsoganon United Movement Against Balikatan at Para sa Kapayapaan” or “Sumaba ka” (Speak out) was launched over the weekend to seek a stop to the planned Balikatan exercises in the Bicol region.
The group joined other people’s organizations, human rights advocates, and the Catholic Church in Legazpi City, which already took a position opposed to the exercises, said Jocelyn Bisuna, spokesperson of the region-wide alliance called Ban Balikatan.
“We hope that other formations like these will be formed at the soonest time possible in other Bicol provinces so that we can show the US troops that we do not want them here and we have not forgotten our history,” added Bisuna.
NEWS
Alliance formed in Sorsogon
More sectors speaking out vs Balikatan exercises
SORSOGON CITY– More and more sectors are now voicing out their opposition against the planned Balikatan exercises in the Bicol region. Now, a Sorsogon-wide group named Sorsoganon United Movement Against Balikatan at Para sa Kapayapaan or “Sumaba ka” (Speak out) is launched Saturday to demand a stop to the exercises.
Prof. Jocelyn Bisuna, spokesperson of the region-wide alliance BAN BALIKATAN, said “Aside from people’s organizations and human rights advocates, Sen. Francis Escudero and the Catholic Church in Legazpi City have already taken their position that is to oppose the said exercises.
Escudero pointed out the ‘hidden agenda’ that may be behind the Balikatan exercises and expressed fear that it may be used to interfere with Philippine affairs. He, however, did mot elaborate on the alleged “hidden agenda”.
“Meanwhile Bishop Lucilo Quiambao voiced out his view that the Balikatan will just be a bane to Bicolanos because civilians will be the ones caught in the crossfire when US troops are engaged in armed encounters. He also said “that prostitution would increase with the presence of US troops and the morality of our youth will be endangered,” said Bisuna.
“It is good that more and more people and organizations are now coming out and standing up against Balikatan 09. It is even better now that an alliance like SUMABA KA has been formed to carry out the campaign against this new type of invasion,” Bisuna said.
“We hope that other formations like these will be formed at the soonest time possible in other Bicol provinces so that we can show the US troops that we do not want them here and we have not forgotten our history,” added Bisuna.
The convenors of SUMABA KA are Fr. Rene Mabute, Sorsogon State College(SSC) President Dr. Antonio Fuentes, Pastor Lemuel Igdanes (UCCP), Atty.Joven Laura, Mr. Lito Bonifacio, Mrs. Elisea Bonifacio (Baptist), Mrs. Jenny Decano, SSC Student Council President Jayboy Evano, Joey Goiz, Red Lasay, Noel Gepulle (KADAMAY), Enrique Ermino (LFS), Mark Rosas (KARATULA), Eduardo Ferreras (PORTA), Reynaldo Hababag (BAYAN), Jing Francisco, Teodoro Escanilla (KARAPATAN), Constantino Jerus (KMP) and Lisa Dugan (UMASA SORSOGON BAY) .
NEWS
PURELY HUMANITARIAN MISSION
RP-US ‘Balikatan’ goes to Bicol; no war games
By Ephraim Aguilar and Roy Gersalia
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Filed Under: Military, Foreign affairs & international relations, Local authorities
LEGAZPI CITY—While no one can predict how a Barack Obama presidency will affect ties between the Philippines and the United States, a US Navy officer thinks the time-tested “good relations” are not likely to change.
Proof of this, according to Capt. Kelly Schmader, commander of the 30th Naval Construction Regiment, are the 2009 RP-US Balikatan military exercises that will be held in three Bicol provinces—Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon—in April.
Schmader visited the Bicol region Thursday to see to the final stages of surveying and planning for the Balikatan (meaning “shoulder to shoulder”), which is now on its 14th year in the country.
“My commander in chief is President [George W.] Bush. Nobody knows at this point what might happen beyond his administration. But personally, I do not expect that the good RP-US ties will change,” Schmader said at a press conference.
The Balikatan is part of the mutual defense treaty between the Philippines and the United States, he pointed out.
In Sorsogon on Wednesday, Schmader and 30 other US soldiers had a three-hour dialogue with Sorsogon Gov. Sally Lee and Juban Mayor Maritess Guab-Fragata to formalize arrangements for the exercises to be held in the Pacific Board area near Albay and Sorsogon.
The deployment of an engineering battalion and medical mission groups was among the points discussed.
Purely humanitarian
Last year’s Balikatan was held in Mindanao. Its primary objective was to improve the “interoperability” of the two countries’ armed forces for mutual defense.
This time, some 400 American doctors, engineers and nurses, predominantly belonging to the military, will join the month-long exercises to provide humanitarian aid to depressed areas in Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon, Schmader said.
These provinces are considered hotbeds of communist insurgency in the Bicol region. But Col. Ariel Bernardo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade, said there would be no war games in the coming exercises.
Intervention suspected
“The Bicol Balikatan shall only comprise humanitarian projects in the form of medical missions and engineering works,” Bernardo said.
But Greg Bañares, spokesperson of the communist-led National Democratic Front in Bicol, said in a press statement that the US soldiers might intervene in the armed battles between government troops and New People’s Army guerrillas.
He also warned that the “fake” humanitarian missions could be used to survey the Philippines’ rich lands and seas or to spy on revolutionary movements.
Bernardo dismissed these accusations, saying the aims of the exercises were peace and development.
“We are [conducting] development projects in depressed communities because we recognize poverty as the root cause of the insurgency,” he said.
Bernardo said the insurgency in Bicol was reduced to a manageable level in 1995 but eventually saw a resurgence because of poverty.
“We do not want that mistake to happen again,” he said.
Local materials
Engineering work (involving the construction of roads and water facilities) and the medical missions are scheduled to begin in the first and second weeks of April, respectively.
Schmader, himself an engineer, said all materials for the engineering work would be acquired locally in order to boost local economies.
Neither the American and Filipino military officials specified the costs and funding source of the 2009 Balikatan despite direct questions from reporters.
But Schmader said the costs would be shared by the countries. He estimated the engineering work to cost around $450,000.
NEWS
AS FLOODS SUBSIDE
95 families in Sorsogon go back home
By Roy Gersalia
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Filed Under: Flood, Disasters & Accidents, Weather
SORSOGON CITY, Philippines–The 95 families who were evacuated Sunday will finally be able to welcome the New Year back in their homes as floods brought by heavy rains subsided late Tuesday.
Tony Gilana, public information officer of Bulan town, said the evacuees were able to go back to their homes late Tuesday afternoon without any problem.
Heavy rains on Sunday caused floods in the villages of Managa-naga, Aquino and Obrero, causing the 95 families to evacuate to the Bulan South Central School on the advice of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.
Luis de Castro, Bulan municipal administrator, said they were forced to evacuate the families affected as the waters were fast rising.
De Castro said the number of evacuated families was a record high in the history of Bulan town as it surpassed those in the previous years when floods also hit the town.
The families, he said, were given enough food by the local government unit and other agencies tapped to help.
“They were given noodles, coffee, cans of sardines and two kilos of rice for every family, enough for their food as they waited for the floods to subside,” De Castro said.
He added that they also tapped the local Bulan police in ensuring the safety of the residents and motorists.
Meanwhile in Sta. Magdalena town, about 40 families were also temporarily displaced by the floods, according to a report received by the Bulan LGU.
In its weather forecast on New Year’s eve, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said a low-pressure area was estimated at 190 km southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
Pagasa added that Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
NEWS
MILITARY SAYS
Rebels ambush Army troops in Sorsogon
Bernardo said the Scout Ranger troops led by a certain Lt. Flores were onboard a military truck at around 2 p.m. when it chanced upon the rebels who fired at the troops, nearly hitting a civilian, who happened to be passing by in another vehicle.
The firefight lasted around 10 minutes but Bernardo said there were no casualties on the Army side.
“The CPP-NPA-NDF [Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front] is not respecting the Human Rights [Day] celebration and the spirit of the Yuletide season,” Bernardo said.
Police were still investigating the incident.
NEWS
From north to south, Filipinos exult
By Inquirer Bureaus
Philippine Daily Inquirer
GENERAL SANTOS CITY —Manny Pacquiao must have followed his 3-year-old daughter Princess’ advice when he called her shortly before he stepped into the ring against Oscar De La Hoya yesterday.
Princess’ nanny, Nedy Ambit, said Pacquiao called at around 8:30 a.m., a few hours before the fight, and the child, whose real name is Mary Divine Grace, told her dad: “Head and tummy.”
Nedy told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that Pacquiao had asked Princess which part of De La Hoya’s body he should hit and Princess said to hit him in the head and stomach.
Which was what Pacquiao did, nearly shutting his opponent’s eye with jabs and weakening him with body blows.
The Filipino champion’s youngest daughter gave her nanny a high-five as the 150 people gathered at the lobby of Pacquiao’s mansion in Lagao village here broke into jubilation when the fight was stopped.
Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia, went into prayer just as the fight began. It was only when it was announced that her son had won, did the mother stop praying.
“I would like to thank all Filipinos, the media, our leaders and friends for their full support for Manny,” she said in Filipino.
In Zamboanga City, the roads were almost deserted as small stores closed shop for the dream fight.
Eid Kabalu, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) civil-military affairs chief, confirmed their forces in many parts of Mindanao watched or listened to the broadcast of the fight.
“If Manny fights everyday, guns will always be silent,” he said.
Cagayan de Oro City came to a virtual standstill as residents watched the fight in restaurants and cinema houses, despite the price tag of P150-P500.
In Tagum, the city-sponsored public viewing inside gymnasiums in several villages and in other parts of Davao del Norte was canceled because of the service provider’s failure to strike an agreement with Solar Sports.
Boracay beaches
In areas where the fight was aired live, there was gambling among spectators.
In Cotabato City, the betting was that Pacquiao would knock out De La Hoya between the sixth and eighth rounds.
The famed white beaches of Boracay lost their allure as hundreds of tourists stayed off the sea during the fight.
Cheers and shouts broke out at the convention center of the posh Boracay Regency Beach Resort where around 400 hotel guests watched the fight on a wide screen.
Tourists stood up and cheered each time Pacquiao connected with a punch.
At the Bacolod Arts, Youth and Sports Center, where the city government provided the live telecast for free, about 3,000 people jumped for joy when Pacquiao was declared the winner.
However, some complained that the bout was rigged because De la Hoya did not put up much of a fight.
In Tacloban City, people were so interested in the match that even those campaigning for the reclassification of Tacloban into a highly urbanized city in a Dec. 18 plebiscite took a break to watch the fight.
Betting took place inside the Tacloban City Convention Center. Bets, mostly for De La Hoya, ranged from as low as P2,000 to as high as P100,000.
Brownouts angered customers
In Roxas City, the inclement weather did not keep the about 10,000, including Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, from watching the fight in the jampacked Capiz Gym.
A brownout in Sorsogon City that lasted an hour near lunchtime made viewers at a gymnasium very angry at the local electric cooperative. But they trooped back to watch and cheered.
In Virac, capital town of Catanduanes, shouts of frustration rang out when a brownout occurred just as the live coverage was to begin. But power returned 5 minutes later.
In Naga City, the Bichara cinemas were hit by a walkout as hundreds demanded a refund of their tickets, complaining that the images on the widescreen were blurred.
In Pampanga, international boxing referee Bruce McTavish said Pacquiao’s convincing win had put him in the league of the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, considered as the greatest Filipino boxer.
In Isabela, about 5,000 residents in Ilagan town and in the cities of Cauayan and Santiago watched the live satellite feed in gymnasiums.
“Naglaing talaga ni Pacquiao. Maysa a David a nangabak ken Goliath (Pacquiao is really skillful. He is a David who beat a Goliath),” said tricycle driver Rodel Agcaoili of Ilagan.
More than 3,000 people who packed six cinemas in SM Pampanga in San Fernando roared as they celebrated Pacquiao’s victory. Two cinemas in SM Clark were also packed.
Aquiles Zonio, Nash Maulana, Charlie Señase, Franklin Caliguid, Julie Alipala, Edwin Fernandez, Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez, Frinston Lim, Orlando Dinoy, Eldie Aguirre and Richel Umel, Inquirer Mindanao; Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Jhunnex Napallacan, Carla P. Gomez, Joey A. Gabieta and Felipe Celino, Inquirer Visayas; Tonette Orejas, Russell Arador and Anselmo Roque, Inquirer Central Luzon, and Juliet Cataluña, Villamor Visaya Jr. and Leoncio Balbin Jr., Inquirer Northern Luzon; and Juan Escandor Jr., Jonas Soltes, Donna Virola, Roy Gersalia, Fernan Gianan, Romulo Ponte, Maricar Cinco, Marrah Erika Lesaba, Karen Lapitan, and Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon
NEWS
Transport strike cripples Albay
Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines—Public transport was virtually paralyzed in Albay province and about 70 percent of public transport was halted in Sorsogon province.
George San Mateo, Piston secretary general, claimed that 70 percent of vehicular traffic was paralyzed in Naga City and 90 percent in Iriga City.
No strike took place in Catanduanes province while a transport caravan was held in Masbate province. Figures were still being gathered in Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte provinces as of 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Supt. Eliciar Bron, Bicol police spokesperson, said more than 10 government vehicles had been deployed to offer free rides to the public.
The Philippine National Police, Army, Air Force, Navy and local government units initiated a free-ride program.
Other drivers ply routes
In Sorsogon, the strike paralyzed the transport of passengers to the towns of Gubat, Juban, Magallanes, Irosin, Matnog and Bulan.
But Mike Frayna, president of the Federated Association of Sorsogon Tricycle Operators and Drivers, said not all drivers joined the mass action.
Some drivers in other groups, who earlier said they would join the nationwide strike, did not do so and instead continued to fetch passengers.
Frayna particularly referred to Provincial Transport Alliance president Ding Bobis, who earlier said his group would lead the transport strike but was the “first” to continue carrying passengers bound for Legazpi City.
Bobis is one of the drivers of Filcab vans from Sorsogon to Legazpi.
Naga City officials said transport services continued unhampered even as members of Condor-Piston participated in the strike. They said a majority of the drivers from other transport groups continued plying their routes.
Lito del Rosario, chief of the Naga City Public Safety Office, said the overall situation of the transportation services in the city was normal as of early morning Wednesday.
He announced that there was no need for the schools to suspend classes.
Short notice
Tyrone Jaucian, leader of the Federation of Trimobile Operators and Drivers in Naga Inc., complained that his group was not prepared to take part in the strike because it was informed at short notice.
Jaucian said the group only committed support to the strike.
Rafael Duque, president of the Federation of Transport Operators Drivers Association and Cooperatives (Fetrodaco), said nothing happened even as he committed on Tuesday the participation of his group in the region-wide strike.
Duque pledged that all the drivers and units of Fetrodaco, a province-wide transport organization, would stop plying their routes but cautioned that they could not guarantee a 100-percent transport paralysis because of the short notice.
Joel Ascutia, regional chair of the Concerned Drivers and Operators for Reform (Condor)-Piston, said Shell, Chevron and Petron should implement a one-time big rollback since oil prices in the world market had dropped significantly.
San Mateo said a transport caravan would proceed to Metro Manila on Nov. 28 and visit the main offices of the Big 3.
NEWS
To file case if probe prosper
Sorsogon solon pushes for investigation on ‘margaja’ in the province
SORSOGON CITY – In reaction to the statement prepared by the provincial government here thru Provincial Legal Officer Antonio Huab as 2nd district representative Jose G. Solis asked recently for an investigation on the alleged illegal extraction of black sand in various towns here, the solon said that he is bent on filing a case against those who are responsible for the illegal operations locally known as ‘margaja’ , if the ‘proper authorities came up with positive identification of the extraction of magnetite sand reportedly being supported by some local governments here and sold to the Alexandria mining, a violation of the small scale mining act.
In a press conference called by Solis today at the Villa Isabel here, Solis said that he is confident that after the deputization by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the region, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other concerned agencies will come up with results that will implicate ‘big’ persons behind the illegal extraction of magnetite black sand, a clear violation of the small-scale mining act.
Solis named the towns of Magallanes, Bulan and Sta.Magdalena as the ones who have ‘margaja’ operations in the province. He also told the media that the office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources office here is not doing their jobs to investigate said illegal activity.
He said that once all the evidences were gathered, he will file a case and endorse it to the Office of the Ombudsman as the case will uncover that various high-ranking officials in the province were allegedly behind the illegal operations.
Video clip
In the presscon, Solis showed a video clip which proved that ‘margaja’ is indeed happening in Magallanes town, a 42 kilometer ride from this city.
The almost one-hour video clip showed footage of sacks of black sands covered with scattered leaves near the shores of Sitio San Isidro, Barangay Salvacion stretching about one kilometer to Barangay Ginangra. There were also black sands who were not yet put into a sack scattered over the area.
The video also showed a couple who were being interviewed. They were identified as Carmen and Melchor Rosim who complained of the margaja operation in their area as they feared from its adverse results.
Carmen said that she knew that it was illegal, and together with her husband and a neighbor identified as Marlon Homo, they went to the PENRO office here last August 3 to have it stopped.
She said that she blamed it on Barangay Ginangra chairman Eva Balaoro who started it all when it okayed for the operation of margaja in their barangay.
Carmen also said that 14 small sea crafts transported the magnetized sand every three days to and from their barangay until it was stopped temporarily for sometime as their were calls by the environmentalists and Solis to have it investigated recently.
She said that during the past month when ‘margaja’ is still in operation in their barangay, the magnetized sand were sold by its workers for only P7.0 per can to the Chairman Balaoro, and said chairman will also sold it for P10.00 per can.
She concluded that they have heard reports that those sacks containing magnetized sand will be transported to Bulan town.
Politicking?
Asked why Congressman Solis have only acted on it just recently, thereby resulting to have suspicions of ‘political color’, Solis said that he is only doing the right thing, to have the illegal violators answered for it.
He also said that being an employee for 12 years and later undersecretary of the DENR, he really cared for the environment and will go against all-out for those people who are bent on destroying it.
Permits
Solis said that those towns mentioned have continued to justify to their constituents that ‘margaja’ complied with the proper requirements set by the DENR and therefore, not illegal. He said that they should have read the law and not to circumvent it.
“Margaja is illegal and a clear violation of the small-mining act. How could they say that is legal,” he concluded.
NEWS
Anti-graft group not losing its ‘steam’; follow up own cases at Ombudsman
SORSOGON CITY – The Sorsogon Crusade for Good Government (Cruzada-Sorsogon), an anti-graft organization formed by private citizens here and known for its advocacy to fight graft and corruption cases and other irregularities, is ‘very much alive’ contrary to talks allegedly circulated by its enemies, said Cruzada chairman Joesan Gabarda in an interview.
“We are working on the cases we filed at the Office of the Ombudsman involving high-profile officials in the province. We are confident that in the end, grafters will answer for their misdeeds,” Gabarda said.
He also said that Cruzada meet twice a month and its Board (Board of Directors) meet as often as it can be, contrary to rumors that it is ‘losing its steam’ circulated by public officials they sued at the Ombudsman.
Gabarda added that his group had already filed cases against the Department of Education where it involved key officials in the province, a case against incumbent governor Sally Lee and is following up the ‘Bolante’ case where former governor Raul R. Lee allegedly received an amount of P5 million and 2nd district representative Jose G. Solis of P3 million, an amount intended for the farmers’ needs.
He, however, did not elaborate on said cases.
“Our group is very much aware of what is really happening in Sorsogon, and we also want the public to know the real score especially the local officials whom they put into office,” Gabarda said.
Fertilizer fund
In light of the on-going investigations in the Senate of the fertilizer fund scam, Gabarda said that ex-governor Lee has received P5 million intended for the farmers and said they are confident that there might be irregularities in the transaction with an agricultural supplies company and the distribution of fertilizers and or farm implements that is supposed to benefit the local farmers. They will probe further, he said.
Meanwhile, Congressman Jose G. Solis said in a press con held Saturday that the P3 million he received were given by him to Bulan town mayor Helen de Castro. But the mayor, however, denied it and said that if such allegations were really true, she would be very happy if indeed the congressman gave her the P3 million intended for the farmers so that she can really help her constituents particularly those engaged in farming.
Internal politics?
When asked if there’s a possibility that his organization is prone to politicking of its own members as reports of it were circulating in the province, Gabarda said that he is confident that all the officers and members were straight but admitted, however, that some of his members has political inclinations and vested interests.
“I know for a fact that there are some members who have personal interests in the organization and that’s the negative thing. Anyway, I hope that soon our cause will prevail,” He concluded.
NEWS
12-hour fire hits Sorsogon town
By Roy Gersalia
Inquirer Southern Luzon Bureau
BULAN, Sorsogon — A building housing several business establishments burned down in a 12-hour fire in Bulan town, about 63 kilometers south of this city, a fire official said Saturday.
Senior Inspector Jose Fullon, a Bulan fire marshal, said the fire started at about 9 p.m. Friday and was finally put out at 9 a.m. Saturday.
According to him, the burned establishments included a bakery, a drug store, a laboratory clinic, a general merchandise store, and a milling station.
Fullon said the estimated cost of damage was almost P10 million.
The building, owned by Harold Winston Lee, was located at Zone 4, Poblacion village, a few meters from a gasoline station, which was not affected.
Fire Marshal Nonong Goboleo said the fire may have been caused by a faulty electrical wiring or a leak from a liquefied petroleum gas tank.
Fire trucks from Irosin, Matnog, and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce also helped in putting out the fire.
