Cordi PNP cites Pasil for low crime rate

Sangguniang Bayan members of Pasil LGU receive plaque of recognition during the 111^th PRO-Cordillera Police Service Anniversary, August 10. From left:  Hon. Samuel Tayaan, Albert Maiyao, Ellen Malannag, Leonora Saga-oc, Nick Bommogas, Eddie Sawil,  Rosemarie Andomang, and  Kalinga DILG  director  King Gamatero. At the back  from left: Guest Speaker Baguio Congressman  Bernardo Vergara,  Benguet Governor  Nestor  Fongwan,  DILG regional director  John Castaneda,  and PRO-COR  PNP  Chief Supt Benjamin Magalong.

by Gina Dizon

LA TRINIDAD,  Benguet -  The local government of Pasil in Kalinga  is one among  four  local government  units  who received   recognition during the recently  held  Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region 111^th Police Service  Anniversary held August 10.  

The award cited Pasil’s support to Cordillera peace and security programs.

Other LGU awardees were the provinces of Benguet, Abra, and the Baguio City government.

Members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Pasil  received plaque of  recognition from  PRO-COR  Chief Supt.  Benjamin Magalong, DILG regional  director John Castaneda,  and guest speaker Baguio Rep.  Bernardo Vergara during awarding ceremonies.

PRO-COR also awarded Pasil mayor James Edduba as best police community relations local chief executive in the Cordillera region July 30 this year.  

Pasil LGU closely relates with the community and the police in activities including tree planting, sanitation, and bloodletting in cooperation with the Cagayan Valley Medical Center and the Department of Health, aside from the regular duties of the local security force in keeping peace and order.

Sangguniang Bayan member Samuel Tayaan said the  local government  supports local police  in resolving  major cases to keep peaceful relations  among tribes.  Pasil has nearly zero crime rate with misdeeds resolved by elders.

An isolated instance was the Kenneth Sawad case. Sawad, a fourth year student of Pasil National High School allegedly killed by suspect Leslie Alicog from Balatoc on March 21, 2011.  

Sawad traces his roots from Bontoc, Mountain Province and Balbalan, Kalinga.   

The LGU formed Task Force  Kenneth  Sawad  chaired by  Edduba and vice mayor  Charlemagne Mosing including  councilors   Emilio Kitongan and Tayaan, and elders from  the neutral barangays  namely  Ampilis  Sugguiyao of Balenciagao, Harry Lunggawis of  Kagaluan, Jaime Guyang of Colayo and AgabatPaal of Guinaang. 

The task force  with the aid of the police and  elders from  neutral barangay-tribes deployed themselves in  the homeplace  of the suspect  believed to be hiding in Balatoc.

Suspect however eluded arrest which led efforts of task force and Pasil elders to move towards settlement with the immediate kins of the suspect and the close relatives and family of the victim from Balbalan and Bontoc.   

Pasil is a ‘binodngan’ area where the traditional peace keeping of ‘bodong’ is practiced.  The LGU recognizes the crucial role of peace pact holders and elders in resolving crimes and keeping peace among and between tribes.  

Lately, the task force met with the elders of Bontoc led by provincial LGU peace and order council chairman and elder Alfonso Kiat-ong.

The recent May 15 meeting led to sending the message of Bontoc elders that venue of settlement be at Bontoc following task force’ suggestion that settlement venue be at a neutral place like Tinglayan.

 Edduba said  the task force shall soon  be meeting again with the immediate kins of the victim,  elders of  Bontoc and neutral parties to talk on the  details of  the  settlement  and the  venue.