Drive vs syndicated crimes pushed: Cordillera PNP to weed out scalawags

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Cordillera Police Regional Office would exert efforts to end organized crime groups in the region while cleansing its ranks of scalawags.

 

            To weed out the Philippine National Police of undesirables, he said disciplinary actions have been meted on officers and men who committed irregularities citing  relief of personnel who allegedly helped criminal suspects escape while in police custody.

            During the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting recently held here deputy regional police director Roberto Soriano, , said the Philippine National Police  is intensifying its drive against criminal suspects, syndicated or not,  in order to remove Cordillera from the map of hot spot regions in the country.

            He said one of the measures being done by the PNP was cancellation of licenses on firearms of criminals including individuals and groups of questionable character.

            On the prosecution of criminal suspects, he asked the help of prosecutors to file cases in court against those being apprehended.

            The PNP reportedly prepares and submits criminal charges against suspects to prosecutor’s offices for the latter to file in court.

            Meanwhile, Kalinga police director , Supt. Felix Perez, reported during the PPOC the crime volume in the province increased by 51 or 36 percent6 from 140 in January to March last year to 191 of the same period this year. 

            He said cases of physical injuries posted the highest number at 75, followed by non-index crimes – 70; theft – 16 and robbery - 12.

            During the same period, 43 wanted persons were also arrested, of which 11 were most wanted.

            Perez also reported regional police through OplanPaglalansag accounted 17 illegal assorted firearms, 7 rifle grenades and has confiscated or recovered 14 carnapped motorcycles during their “No plate number no travel policy” operations.