Suspects Allegedly Responsible in the Killing of Mr Roland Buhler Are Now in Custody

Extract from Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on August 10, 2010

THREE of the six suspects identified in the killing of a German national surrendered at the Talakag Municipal Police Office following the arrest of their mastermind.

Noel Balighot, special investigator III of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Northern Mindanao, identified the suspects as Dennis Tuto, a resident of San Antonio in Talakag, Bukidnon; Ronnie Fabre, a resident of Barangay Carmen, this city, and a minor who is also a resident of San Antonio.

Balighot, who handled the case, said the three surrendered last Friday after several operations conducted by NBI and Talakag Police Station.

"The mastermind, identified as Glen Tuto, was arrested in Libona, Bukidnon in connection with a standing warrant of arrest issued against him for illegal possession of firearms in Cebu," Balighot said.

Glen and Dennis are cousins and both were native of Talakag, Bukidnon.

The four suspects were allegedly responsible in the killing of Roland Richard B. Buhler, a German national who married a Filipina. He was killed on May 24, 2010 inside his house in Barangay 3, Poblacion, Talakag Bukidnon.

The NBI said the alleged suspects carted away at least P3,000 from the victim. Balighot said Buhler's wife, Venus, was in Cagayan de Oro purchasing various stocks for their hardware and mini grocery store when the incident happened.

"The victim died of strangulation because the suspects tied his neck. They also beat him," Balighot added.

Fabre and Tuto are now detained at the Talakag Police Station while the minor suspect is placed under the custody of his grandmother with the supervision and agreement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao.

Glen Tuto is detained at Libona Police Station. (ALR)

More Books for Bukidnon State University – Talakag Campus

Three years ago, I made a personal commitment to help put up a library for Bukidnon State University – Talakag Campus in order to provide learning resources to our local college students. I also wrote an article in the Mindanao Blog about my “Library Project for Talakag”. I am pleased to report that the library has now got a fair selection of books available to both students and lecturers.

Again, thanks to my colleagues at Durham University Business School and personal friends back in the UK for donating more books. Photo below shows the handover of the latest consignment of books to Mr Carlos Canlas, a lecturer representing BSU. Degree courses being offered in Talakag are Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Education.

Back to (Bethany Christian) School

June 15, 2010 is the official start of the new school year in the Philippines. Contrary to rumours that Bethany Christian School in Talakag is closing, I was actually there today to witness the schoolchildren march back to their classrooms for another year of learning. Sadly, it is true that the school has obstacles, particularly financial. However, the sacrifices and hard work put in by Bethany staff, volunteers and donors to keep the school open is admirable. Well done guys!

Will you consider helping? You too can make a difference today through education. Your donation, big or small, will help less fortunate children in Talakag to attend school. Donations will also help to fund the school programs that benefit these children. Click here for more information on how to donate.

"Literacy is the bridge from misery to hope."
Kofi Anan, UN Secretary General

Talakag Mourns the Death of Mr Roland Buhler

Last Monday afternoon, 24th May, a robbery that went horribly wrong in Talakag resulted in the brutal death of Mr Roland Buhler. Mr Buhler, 58 years old and a German national, who considered Talakag his home for the last 15 years also owned a motorcycle spare parts shop and a sari-sari store. He is survived by his wife Venus Buhler (formerly Carangian), daughter Shirley Ann and son-in-law Mohammed Canlas.

Everyone here is so shocked and alarmed that a crime of this nature has happened in this small quiet town of Talakag. As of this posting Thursday, police and NBI authorities continue to investigate the incident and the identities of the suspects.

Election – The Results for Talakag

It’s the day after the election and the Board of Canvassers and COMELEC Officials continue to consolidate votes being transmitted from more precincts. Finally, the last transmittal came through at 1:15 this afternoon. Shortly after, the Summary of Total Results for Talakag was generated electronically. The elected officials for Talakag are yet to be proclaimed but here’s the unofficial glimpse of the winners:

Municipal Mayor
Macapayag, Nestor

Municipal Vice Mayor
Sulatan, Renato Sr

Municipal Councilors (in alphabetical order)
Bigcas, Alberto
Factura, Vergito
Gayonan, Susan
Monje, Angelo
Sabang, Yolanda
Sansanan, Rosenio
Taqueban, Carlos
Tianzon, Romeo

Please go to Bukidnon Online for the provincial results.

Election 2010 – A Historical One

Today I witnessed the Philippine’s first ever election votes being automatically tabulated by PCOS machines. I went back to the Talakag Voting Center at 7:00 tonight as the precincts officially closed to see how the new system works. You can also follow the process through the photos below.

Everything went almost smoothly, except that the modems were either very slow or not working during the electronic transmission of the results to SB Legislative Building where the Board of Canvassers and the COMELEC Officials are consolidating all results. This resulted delays of 2 to 5 hours in announcing the official results per precinct.

As of 11:00 tonight, only 50 percent of the whole Talakag precincts have successfully transmitted their results to the Center. However, compared to previous elections, this is still a record! Watch out for the complete official results here tomorrow.

Election Day is here at last!

I arrived the Talakag Poblacion Voting Center at 7:15 this morning and it's raining! I thought I was early but the place was already buzzing with people outside their respective precincts waiting for their turn to vote. The whole voting procedure took me about 45 minutes in total - these included waiting, signing in, collecting, filling, feeding the ballot paper into the PCOS machine, verification, and thumbprint. I was the 40th voter of the day. Just to give you an idea of te Election Day here in Talakag today, please see photos below.
Updates about the Talakag Election will be posted here in Talbuks Cafe so watch this space!