POLICE ROUNDUP

Taxi driver attacked, fights back, survives
BAGUIO CITY – A taxi driver here escaped death when stabbed by still unidentified persons here last week.

Taxi driver Santos Bagtenit Bumacas, 58, married of Pasil, Kalinga and resident of Dontogan, Green Valley here was driving a white taxi bearing plate number AYG 276 with trade name Sam and Joy when he was stabbed on his right neck by one of his two male passengers along Outlook Drive.

Police investigation investigation showed the victim picked up his two passengers at Barangay QM City who requested that they be ferried to Outlook Drive.

Upon reaching the place, particularly near Villa Lamaja Hotel, one of the suspects seated at the back suddenly stabbed him once without any reason.

Bumacas stopped and took a knife then alighted from the vehicle to fight back. The two suspects, however, ran away.

The victim drove his taxi to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for medical treatment.


2 nabbed for robbing young man and woman at gunpoint
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Two men who reportedly robbed a young man and woman at gunpoint here were nabbed and now in jail.

The suspects were identified as Lucio Cosan Tayloc, 30, single and Macky Oclit Bingas, 29, married, both natives of Lubuagan and at present residing at Employees village, Bulanao, Kalinga.

Confiscated from the suspects were three cell phones, a wristwatch and other personal belongings of their victims.

The suspects reportedly robbed Franklin Balao-ing, 20, single, student and resident of Barangay Laya East and Remedios Francia at gunpoint by the two suspects who later fled aboard a motorcycle towards Bulanao.

However, they were apprehended by elements of Bulanao police who were alerted by personnel of Tabuk cops. Cases were filed in court against the suspects.


Suspected carnap ring leader nabbed by cops
TARLAC CITY – The Tarlac Police Provincial Office said a suspected leader of a big group of carnappers operating in Central Luzon was nabbed on Aug. 25.

The suspect, identified as Josesame Balingit, 47, of San Fernando City, Pampanga, was cornered in an operation conducted by police operatives led by a policewoman, Senior Insp. Amelia Garcia, and supervised Supt. Eden Ugale, city police chief.

“Our police succeeded in recovering the carnapped vehicle because the incident was reported immediately to our policemen who were implementing our quick response system,” said Senior Supt. Nicanor A. Bartolome, TPPO director.

The victim, Flora Tayo of Las Pinas, Metro Manila, reported to police that her Isuzu Crosswind was parked in front of an insurance office in Barangay San Roque when it was stolen by an unidentified man.

Immediately, Ugale issued a flash alarm to all police units and conducted an operation. The stolen car was spotted by Garcia, who led the chase.

The suspect, sensing he was about to be cornered, abandoned the car and fled on foot, but he failed to outrun the policemen.

Ugale said a case has been filed against the suspect, who is believed to be the carnap ring leader.

The suspect, police said, also admitted participation in other carnapping cases in Central Luzon. – George Trillo


150 rookie cops set for Abra deployment
CAMP DANGWA, la Trinidad, Benguet – One-hundred-fifty rookie policemen will have their baptism of fire in conflict-rocked Abra.

Chief Supt. Eugene G. Martin, new regional police chief ordered the deployment of the e recruits to help restore peace in the province.

Earlier, Philippine National Police chief Director-General Oscar C. Calderon ordered the new police leadership in the Cordillera to give priority to the drive to attain lasting peace in Abra.

Martin said one of the major aspects of police works that needed to be enhanced in Abra was visibility in critical areas.

However, he said, there was no urgent need to introduce reforms in the present setup in Abra because the police and military have been effectively controlling the situation.

The 150 policemen would augment Task Force Abra, which is composed of members of the Special Action Force and the Cordillera regional mobile group and Abra provincial police office.

Martin said that the Cordillera regional police office will conduct periodic assessment of the situation in Abra to enable the police leadership to come up with new strategies aimed at ensuring the restoration of peace in Abra. -- Dexter See


Cops nab 2 men for holding illegal guns
BANGUED, Abra -- Police recently arrested two men and seized two firearms in operations conducted in the Cordillera.

Elements of the 1601st provincial police mobile group arrested Leandro Peralta Agamao, 45, married, tricycle driver, of Sitio Consolado, Barangay Lingta, Bangued, Abra, a native of Ilocos Norte, for illegal gun possession.

He was arrested at the Food Court in Barangay Zone 5, Bangued. Police said the suspect was found in possession of a Cal. 45 pistol with one magazine loaded with eight bullets.

The suspect and the confiscated items were brought to the headquarters of the 1601st provincial police mobile group for filing of charges.

Meanwhile, elements of the 1605th provincial mobile group in Kalinga and the Kalinga provincial police office confiscated a Cal.45 Norinco pistol loaded with live bullets from Brando Baliling Basia, 27, single, of Dilag, Tabuk.

Investigation showed the arresting officers were manning a checkpoint in Barangay Cruz, Bulanao, Tabuk when they accosted the suspect on board a tricycle.


Taclas designated new Vigan police director
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – This heritage city has a new police chief in the person of Chief Insp. Max Taclas.
Taclas was designated by Senior Supt. Jessie L. Cardona, provincial director to replace Supt. Max Torricer.

The appointment of Taclas came after Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina sought a new leadership in the city police in her bid to keep Vigan’s reputation as one of the safest component cities in the country.

Cardona said Taclas is known for his professionalism, effective leadership, credibility and experience in the field.

Taclas said Vigan is a tourism hub visited regularly by foreign and domestic tourists and discipline among the policemen was needed in the drive to maintain peace and order in the city. – Mar T. Supnad