POLICE ROUNDUP

Cordillera cops destroy p1.5m worth of marijuana

KIBUNGAN,Benguet--- More than P1.5 million worth of  marijuana plants  were   recently destroyed  by the Cordillera Police Regional Office.

Police operatives uprooted and destroyed 7,750 fully grown marijuana  plants with  estimated  value of  P1,550,000 in  six plantation sites  at  sitios Bakbakan, Talnag and Tabao,  all in Barangay Poblacion.

According to Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez, regional director of PRO-COR, the police will go an all out campaign against the prohibited drug because its ill effect on society especially the  youth.

The police are committed to intensify the destruction of marijuana plantation  and the proliferation of other illegal drugs in the region,  said Nerez.

Kibungan Mayor Benita Siadto said she keeps warning  residents   not to engage in the cultivation of marijuana because of  its  serious effects  to people who use  and abuse it .

Many are already in jail because the marijuana trade. Farmers  risk having business in marijuana thinking they make big profit but they end up in jail instead, Siadto said.

Various government agencies are extending financial help to the farmers so that they will not engage in the contra-band marijuana and we encourage the farmers to plant flowers like anthurium or coffee, he added.

‘We will keep on  educating our people not to plant marijuana and we ask  the help of the government for more  assistance like farm to market road and other agricultural support’, Siadto said.   

Korean slain, dumped in Benguet highway

TUBA, Benguet – An unidentified Korean's body was dumped along Marcos Highway in Barangay Taloy Sur on Monday morning.

Police investigators said the body of the male Korean bore two gunshot wounds in the back.

The firearm used in the killing was a Cal. 45 pistol, according to the investigators.

They added the Korean's arms could have been were tied when he was murdered because of the bruises on his wrist.

Butts of an imported cigarette brand and a pair of surgical butts were found at the crime scene.

Senior Supt. Rodolfo Azurin, Benguet police director, said their investigators were looking for residents of the area who might have witnessed the killing.

Azurin said they were coordinating the Korean embassy in Manila and the Korean community in Baguio City to be able to determine the identity of the victim.

PRO-COR director vows to sustain Abra peace programs      

BANGUED, Abra -- The newly seated regional director of Philippine National Police Cordillera vowed to sustain the efforts towards  peace and order  now prevailing in the province.

Chief Supt.  Isagani Nerez bared this in a dialogue with local officials of Abra Jan. 24 here ate Camp Juan Villamor.

 “I will not modify any of the current programs and activities that Gen. Magalong had initiated especially the partnership established by the PNP with the various sectors in the province such as the local officials, the private sector and all the Abrenios in order to sustain the peace and order that you have gained in the past few years.” Nerez  said.

He urged  people of Abra not to deprive the PNP  of any information or advice that they need in performance of their duties.The regular dialogue with local officials and other sectors in the province was started by Magalong and was instrumental in a more peaceful Abra.

In the same meeting, Nerez  directed  Senior Supt. Benjamin M. Lusad to return the surrendered licensed- firearms to the rightful owners  “since we have already attained the purpose of having required the owners to surrender said firearms before the elections last year.”

But he clarified that PNP will  withhold the firearms with expired licenses.

To facilitate the renewal of  licenses of  firearms of the people here, Nerez brought the licensing unit of the PNP in the province.

This, as Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin appealed to the Abrenios to continue to work together though open communications with the police officers to sustain the peace and order attained in the province.

Bersamin also advised local chief executives to be more responsible and deliver the basic services that their constituents need in order to address the poverty condition in their respective communities since poverty is the root cause of criminality.

 Nine wanted persons nabbed in Cordillera

CAMP BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Two top most wanted persons and seven other criminals were successively arrested by police operatives during separate police operations last week.

In Paracelis, Mountain Province, the No. 5 top most wanted person is now in jail after he was arrested by the joint operatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU-14) and Paracelis municipal police station at Cassag, Bacarri in the town Feb. 1.

Senior Supt. Oliver Enmodias, Mountain Province provincial police director, identified the arrested man as Francisco Lemon Castillo, 55, also of Bacarri, who was arrested for frustrated homicide by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Joseph Patnaan of the Regional Trial Court Branch 35.

Castillo stabbed his uncle in Cassag, Bacarri, Paracelis Oct. 6 last year because of an old grudge regarding a family problem. 

In Tabuk City, the No. 10 TMWP also landed in jail after he was arrested by the members of the Tabuk Police at Pantar, Laya East, Tabuk on. Feb. 3,

Senior Supt. Victor Wanchakan, newly-installed Kalinga OIC provincial director, identified the suspect nabbed for rape as Oliver M. Rodriguez, 24, of Pantar, Laya East, Tabuk.

Meanwhile, seven other wanted persons were arrested by. Out of this, wo individuals who were simultaneously nabbed for illegal drugs in Calaba South, Bangued, Abra. Senior Supt. Benjamin M. Lusad, Abra provincial director, identified the arrested the allged drug pushers as Patrick Castillo Natividad, 30, of Baac, Langiden and Ma. Jenny Esmeralda Calindong, 24, and a resident of Nangaycayan, Zone 7, Bangued.

Two farmers were also arrested for robbery and illegal possession respectively.

They were Roger Bangaan Canlawitan, 27, of Pingad, Sabangan, Moutain Province who was arrested in Legleg Bun-ayan, Sabangan, while Reynante Buendia Basis, 29, of SitioSinabaan, Barangay Tagodtod, Lagangilang, Abra was arrested in Poblacion, Lagangilang.

Three other arrested wanted persons were Joycee Carag Asco, 21, housekeeper who was arrested in his residence at Hanhan, Malama, Conner, Apayao, for violence against women; Christ John M. Quitoriano, 21, of Aurora Hill, Baguio City who arrested at Session Road, Baguio City for theft and Ancheta Claro Manansala, 59, who was arrested in his residence at Bekes, Buyacaoan, Buguias, Benguet for estafa but later posted bail.

2 nabbed for illegally transporting charcoal

ITOGON, Benguet – Town police intercepted two vehicles along Balatoc, Virac, Itogon, Benguet loaded with a still undetermined volume of charcoal Feb 3.

Itogon police identified two drivers of the vehicles as Reynaldo Gumawang Dinangan, 33, and John Angelo UlilaPio, 27, both residents of Camp 6, Kennon Road, Tuba, Benguet.

Police said the charcoal was owned by Josephine Bacbac Paran, 41, businesswoman, and a resident of Bridal, Twin Peaks, Tuba.

Both suspects together with the confiscated evidence were hauled to the Itogon municipal police station for proper disposition while appropriate charges were prepared against the suspects.

Last year, police operatives confiscated a total of P3 million worth of illegally sown lumber in different places in the Cordillera.

Chief Supt. Isagani R. Nerez, regional police director in  Cordillera, said the implementation of “Master Plan Sangyaman” aimed at preserving natural resources resulted in successful apprehensions and filing of criminal charges against several individuals for violation of Presidential Decree 705, or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.

Abra cops nab ‘drug trader’

BANGUED, Abra -- Asuspected drug trader was arrested here along Zamora Street, Zone V around 10 pm Monday.

Senior Supt. Benjamin M. Lusad, Abrapolicvedirector  said the trader who was identified as Rodrigo BuldaAdarlo, 26, and a resident of Bacsil, Bangued, was arrested by the members of the Abra provincial police office through buy-bust operation.

The operation resulted in the confiscation of shabu, P1, 000 marked money and P 1,700 in different denominations believed to be proceeds in the selling of illegal drugs.

The suspect and the contraband are now under the custody of the operating team for proper disposition while appropriate charges are being prepared against the suspect.

Nabbed man suspect in water meter thefts

BAGUIO CITY — Police may have solved rampant water meter theft in the city following the arrest of a suspect carrying stolen  water meters.

City police director Senior Supt. Jesus D. Cambay Jr. said police have set up inspection areas as part of their security plan to ensure protection and safety of residents and tourists coming up to Baguio during the month-long celebrations of the Baguio Flower Festival 2014.

The inspection team led by Chief Insp.GilImado noticed a suspicious man identified as Johnny Marrero, 37, of Purok 6, Bakakeng, along Assumption Road on Feb. 1 while carrying a bag.

Cambay said the police checked his bag and found 14 pieces of water meters and two pieces of water meter case.

Marrero was arrested after he failed to provide documents.  “Such accomplishment will be a great help to the police operatives to identify those persons involved in the illegal activity,” Cambay said.

Police officers arrest fake cop

 BAGUIO CITY -- Police arrested Roberto Malitig David, 47, married, artist, and a resident of  Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan for illegal use of uniform and pretending to be a policeman which is highly prohibited and against the code of ethics of police officers.

He was arrested by Supt Evelio B. Degay, Supt Lavis P. Camdas and Supt D. Lubos, of legal ages at the office of the Women and Children Protection Desk, Jose Abad Santos Drive, Baguio City on Feb.1.

 Investigation revealed at about 4:30 p.m. of Feb.1, the pretender arrived at the Office of the WCPD police uniform and accessories and introduced himself as Chief Insp. Roberto Malitig David.

He requested to retrieve his driver’s license which was confiscated by the policemen for traffic violation.  

Police requested for his PNP ID card but he could not present any.

He insisted that he was a policeman and they should grant his request since he is a brother in uniform.

As a result, when the fake cop failed to present any PNP identification card, they put him under arrest.   

 The subject person was transferred to the Baguio City Jail as per onquest resolution of Prosecutor Merly Espinosa. -- Joanne Christine Mocay, MelynApilis and Kiara Cuyopan

Kalinga’s top most wanted person falls

TABUK CITY -- The top most wanted person of Kalinga was arrested. 

Senior Supt. Victor Wanchakan, Kalinga police director identified the TMWP as Lawig Buyagan Agod, 27, of Sitio Ileb, Nambaran, Tabuk City in the province.

He was nabbed for murder following warrant of arrest issued by Judge Raymond Lauigan of the Regional Trial Court Branch 1.  He was arrested by members of the Tabuk City Police Station in Lacnog, Tabuk Feb 5.

Sabawil Group leader nabbed for drugs

TABUK CITY, Kalinga –Police captured the identified leader of the Sabawil Group who was responsible in transporting/delivering illegal drugs in Kalinga.

He was identified as Sammy Li-abSabawil, 47, farmer who was arrested in his residence at Ileb, Nambaran, Tabuk City  by the members of the Kalinga Police Provincial Office for illegal drugs by virtue of a warrant issued by Judge Marcelino K. Wacas, of Regional Trial Court, Branch 25.

Two men wanted for murder arrested

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet -- Police arrested two suspects for frustrated murder  and frustrated homicide in their residences. They were named as Rumulo Mercurio Belleza, 29, a resident of Sinapangan, Zone 6, Bangued, Abra and   Gary Hora Macababbad, 35 and a resident of Appas, Tabuk City, Kalinga.

‘Rapist’ cornered in Abra

LAGANGILANG, Abra--  A 32- year-old rapist also fell in the hands of the police after he was caught in his resident at Barangay Lagben here.

Senior Insp. Eddie B. Bagto who led the team identified him as Rogelio Fostanes LazoJr, who was charged for rape and forcible abduction with rape with no bail recommended.

‘Carnapper’ from Abra arrested in Vigan

In addition, a young carnapper was also arrested after he was caught in Barangay 8, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

Chief Insp. Lou Salvador A. Claro who headed the team identified the teen suspect as Bioby Pilong Caybo Jr, 19, resident of Barangay Dumayco, Peňarrubia, Abra.

Bail for his release was set at P170,000.00.

6 arrested for various crimes

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – Six men were arrested for various crimes in the Cordillera last week following arrest warrants issued against them.

They were identified as Roger Baan Canlawitan a.k.a. Arnel Bistog Bayudang, 28, of Pingad, Sabangan, Mt. Province who was arrested for Robbery; Johnny Abalog Marrero  for violation of Republic Act 9262 with a recommended bail of P24,000.00; Severo Del-o Kiblasan, 26, miner,  of Guinsadan Norte, Bauko, Mt Province  for high grading; Dianor John Villanueva, 22, Interior C, Balacbac, Baguio City  for violation of RA 9262 with a recommended bail bond of P 20,000.00 

Firearms surrendered, found

CAMP BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet –Two firearms were surrendered last week by Juan Trongco Agdalpen, barangay chairman, of Nagtupakan, Lagangilang, Abra last week while a certain Erwin Villastiqui Bulallo, 31, of Barangay Bacsil-Angad, Bangued, Abra surrendered a shotgun and a grenade.

Meanwhile, in Kalingafour firearms were recovered at Barangay Magnao, Tabuk City by police in coordination with the 51^stMICO, 17^th IB and 503^rd Battalion Philippine Army.

The guns were found in a former camping area.

The firearms that were recovered were brought to the 503^rd Bdeheadquarters in Calanan, Tabuk City. – Melyn Apilis