POLICE ROUNDUP

Charges filed against man over 13 bullets 

BANGUED, Abra – A man was nabbed here Monday at Barangay Agtangao for illegal bullets by members of Regional Public Safety Battalion Monday in a buy bust operation.

Cordillera police director Chief Supt.Isagani Nerez identified the arrested suspect as Benjamin Balubar Bugtong, 46.

Nerez said prior to his arrest, Bugtong was on board a black Motorstar tricycle driven by Cles Pilarta Valeros, 27, tricycle driver, when they were flagged down by police.

Confiscated from Bugtong was a magazine loaded with 13 bullets for Cal. 5.56.

Bugtong, who failed to provide papers for the bullets together with the seized items were brought to Bangued police station where a case for violation of Republic Act 10591 known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act was filed against him.

Pudtol officials, town folks surrender guns

PUDTOL, Apayao – Guns were surrendered by local government officials and concerned citizens here to police last week.

These included three shotguns with bullets and a Cal. 38 revolver. Names of the officials were not revealed but police said they surrendered the firearms in support to regional  police program against proliferation of illegal firearms.

Marijuana uprooted in Bakun

BAKUN, Benguet – Marijuana plants valued at P272,000 were uprooted by police here in SitioLepsik, Barangay Kayapa Monday afternoon.

Bakun police burned 6,800 marijuana plants and later scoured adjacent areas to locate the illegal plants.

Tabuk police secure church sites

TABUK CITY - Kalinga police director Senior Supt. Victor Wanchakan said police visibility, mobile and foot patrols were intensified especially near churches this Yuletide Season.

He said they implemented “Ligtas Pasko” which mandates “no leave, no break” police to ensure police timely police response to crimes during the season.

The Bureau of Fire Protection has also intensified its campaign to prevent  fire during the season. As part of  its fire safety tips, it  urged homeowners to avoid the practice of “octopus” or multi-connections on their Christmas lights which could cause fire due to power overload.

For safe New Year revelry, Gov. Jocel Baac ordered strict police operation against sale, transport and use of banned firecrackers and indiscriminate firing of guns.

The street light project  of the provincial government along the newly completed six-lane highway at the province’s government center in Barangay Bulanao and that of the city government along the provincial road leading to the city proper was lighted last week.

Baac said lighting of the province’s major thoroughfares Dec. 16 at start of the traditional Christmas dawn masses was for safety of church-goers. “Well-lighted streets are deterrent to crimes and lawlessness.”  

Police set security measures with holiday tourist influx

BAGUIO CITY—Police here have upped security with influx of visitors with near completion of Tarlac-Pangsinan-La Union Express or TPLEX.

City police director Senior Supt. Rolly Miranda said that as per instruction  of Mayor Mauricio Domogan, he directed  police station chiefs to be on guard with tourist influx.

Miranda said they tapped public schools within the city proper to serve as parking lots. When the schools permit, BCPO will be coordinating with the City Buildings and Architecture Office in coming up with advisories and direction signage.

He added if schools allow it, they would use the schools as parking lots on a weekly basis.

When asked if there would be a collection of parking fees, Miranda said it is up to schools. If schools would opt to collect fees, Miranda said they could do so under the condition that they provide security.

The police are also looking beyond the traffic situation during the holiday season, Miranda said. Numerous events in the city are already slated early next year—the Panagbenga Festival,  Philippine Military Academy  graduation, the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association or CARAA meet, Summer Vacation activities and Holy Week.

In 2013 more than 800,000 tourists arrived in Baguio City, according to data by the Department of Tourism.-- Pryce E. Quintos

Forensic tools given to Mt Prov crime lab

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial government recently purchasedand turned over forensic tools to the Mountain Province Provincial Crime Laboratory Office to enhance crime solution.

Exactly P100, 000 was sourced out from the fund of the Provincial Peace and Order Council to purchase the tools to improve the crime laboratory.

Earlier, the provincial management coordinating committee forwarded a resolution to the PPOC appealing for purchase of basic forensic tools and equipment to be used by the MPPCLO.

The PMCC said in the past three years, not all crimes in Mountain Province were solved due to lack of forensic equipment, adding laboratory tools would improve scientific investigation.

According to the council, crime solution efficiency rate the past three years was low. In 2011, 107 crimes were solved out of the 602 total number of crimes with a crime solution efficiency rate of 39. 04 percent.

For 2012, crime solution efficiency rate decreased to 18. 97 percent with 203 cases solved out of 351. For 2013, some 626 cases were solved out of total 878 leading to 44. 85 percent increase in crime solution efficiency rate.

Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen, chairman of PPOC said the past years, Mountain Province police had to bring evidence to regional crime laboratory in Camp Dangwa, Benguet. 

The PMCC is comprised of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Mountain Province Provincial Police Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection - Provincial Office, Mountain Province Provincial Crime Laboratory, National Police Commission and Highway Patrol Group. --  Alpine L. Killa

Bokod cops impound van loaded with illegal lumber 

BOKOD, Benguet–Police recently impounded an abandoned blue Delica Mitsubishi van with plate no. URX 200 loaded with 139 pieces of illegally sawn pine lumber worth P23,790.

Cops found the vehicle along the provincial road in Sitio Moatong, Poblacion.

Bucloc police find illegal lumber on road

BUCLOC, Abra – Town police recently confiscated 10 pieces of illegally sawn narra worth P9,800, they found along the road here in SitioBuwaya Wednesday afternoon after a concerned citizen informed  police.

Confiscated lumber were placed at police station.

Abra bocaps, farmer surrender firearms

BUCAY, Abra – Two barangay officials recently surrendered an illegal firearm to police even as a farmer did the same in nearby Dolores town.

Carangay captain Jovito Venus and Eduardo Bragas, luponmember, surrendered a GA 12 shotgun with two live bullets to cops here at Barangay. Calao. 

In Dolores town, Dominic Villalva Dopredo, 30, farmer and resident of Barangay Bayaan surrendered aCal. 38 revolver. 

All firearms are now under the custody of Abra provincial police.

Vice mayor’s aide nabbed in drug bust

VINTAR, Ilocos Norte – A driver-bodyguard of Vice Mayor Rowland Albano here was arrested for possession of four sachets of shabu and various ammunition during a raid in Barangay 9 on Monday.

Edcel Gagarin had been in the drug watch list since 2012, Ilocos Norte police director Senior Supt. Antonio Mendoza Jr. said.

Albano congratulated the police for the arrest of his driver, even as he asked municipal employees to undergo drug testing.