Two PAGS disbanded after arrest of leaders

By Myds Supnad

CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union- Police ‘neutralized’ two private armies or PAGs by arresting core members and seizing  assorted firearms from them last week.

In his report to Philippine National Police Director Alan Purisima, regional police director Chief Supt.  Ricardo C Marquez said Ilocos policemen disbanded the two PAGs after intelligence operations.

Marquez said arrest of PAG members led their patrons or handlers to voluntarily disband the groups.

Maqruez said  seven members were arrested, two died in encounters, six surrendered while 12 firearms of various types were seized.

The total remaining private armies in the region is down from seven groups with 54 members to five groups with 38 members, Marquez said.

He added 27 criminal gang members engaged in gun- for-hire activities have been arrested and are now languishing in various jail facilities in the region.

       

The regional police office also accounted a total 915 various firearms wherein 420 were illegal seized in police operations such as search warrant operations, checkpoints and oplan sita.

Charges for violation of RA 8294 and Commission on Elections gun ban were filed against the violators.

Marquez added oplan katok was implemented resulting to accounting of 495 firearms deposited by candidates, gun enthusiasts, government officials and private agencies wherein some have expired licenses or were still on process.

             

Marquez lauded efforts of the RSOTG commanders, provincial directors and the intelligence division of PRO1 headed by Senior Supt. Sterling Blanco for  arrests and confiscation or accounting of firearms.

The RD said these law enforcement operations complemented by community help paved the way to reduction of priority areas of concern from 34 to 32.