POLICE ROUNDUP

Gun ban set for SK elections   

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet– Gun ban would be implemented March 26 to May 2015 as the nation gears for Sangguniang Kabataan elections. 

The period covers 30 days before the election day and 15 days after, as provided in Commission on Elections resolution 9928 promulgated Jan. 22, 2015.

The resolution was amend such that gun ban and other prohibitions related to the election period such as establishment of a new SK precinct or alteration of its territory, illegal release of prisoners and use of security personnel by candidates are not allowed.

 As per Comelec order, certificates of authority andgun ban exemptions issued in connection with the May 2013 national and local elections and Oct. 2013 barangay elections shall not be recognized anymore for purposes of this year’s SK elections.

A Philippine National Police directive ordered all law enforcers and security personnel in the country to apply for renewal of their certificates of authority and gun ban exemptions.

Under Comelec order, all existing permits, granted to security personnel or body guards were revoked, except regular security of the President, vice president, senators, congressmen and governors, all local elective officials (except barangay officials), justices, judges, cabinet secretaries, chairman and commissioners of Comelec, chief of staff of the AFP and AFP major service commanders, director generals and senior officers of the PNP.

A PNP press statement said itwill also intensify checkpoint operations, thus, the public is advised not to carry firearms as such act is prohibited. 

Benguet‘ drug ring leader’ caught

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Anti-narcotics agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera Administrative Region arrested the leader of the Bela Drug Group in a buy-bust operation early dawn Tuesday here in Palma Ville Subdivision, Barangay Puguis.

Revila Domingo Waclin also known as “Bela”, 29, native of Buguias, Benguet and a resident of Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet was apprehended when she sold five heat-sealed, transparent plastic sachets containing alleged shabu to an anti-illegal drug operative who posed as a buyer.

PDEA-CAR regional director Ronald Allan Ricardo said “Bela” is a target personality who is in the target list of drug personalities.”

Taken from her were illegal drugs with a market value of P53,275.25.

Aside from the dangerous drugs and buy-bust money, two pouches and a plastic box were also confiscated from the suspect.

Charges are being readied against Waclin who is temporarily detained at the PDEA Cordillera regional office.

Waclin was earlier arrested on Aug. 21, 2014 for illegal drugs. She posted bail Jan. 20.  Upon her release, Waclin resumed her nefarious activities, PDEA officials aid.

2,500 marijuana plants uprooted

KIBUNGAN, Benguet -- Police uprooted some 2,500 marijuana plants and seedlings here last week.

The illegal plants were found in four farms in Barangay Badeo, said Senior Insp. Andres Calaowa, municipal police chief.

The police officers also destroyed hydraulic jacks, moulds and other equipment used in the production of dried marijuana bricks. No one was arrested during the raid.   

Construction worker nabbed in drug sting

BAGUIO CITY -- Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera Administrative Region arrested Wednesday a construction worker in a buy-bust operation here along Barangay Sto. Rosario Road.

 Rudy Bogya Bag-ay, known as Ruben Bogya Mariano, 54, of Navy Base here was apprehended when he sold methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P7,000.00 to a PDEA agent who acted as buyer.

Aside from the dangerous drugs and buy-bust money, several drug paraphernalia, mobile phone, calculator and identification cards were  seized from Bag-ay.

Bag-ay will be charged for illegal drugs. He is detained at the PDEA regional office in Camp Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet.

P97K illegal lumber confiscated

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – Police confiscated a total of P97,726.55 illegal lumber in the Cordillera last week.

Alfonso Lista, Ifugao with the members of the National Power Corp. found illegally sawn Gmelina while conducting clean-up drive at the Magat Watershed in Barangay Namnama Feb. 5. The team hauled 79.8 board feet worth P2,394.

On the same day, members police also recovered illegally sawn Der-an lumber at Barangay Bananao, Sitio Asiga, Paracelis, Mountain Province. Seized were 150 pieces of Der-an lumber worth P57,464.

Police also found illegally sawn pine lumber at Sitio Salaksak, Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet same day. Seized lumber was worth P24,949.55.

The following day, personnel police confiscated pine lumber worth P5,760 piled along a creek near the ongoing road widening project at SitioTuel, Bobok-Bisal, Bokod, Benguet.

A total of 45 pieces of pine lumber worth P7,159 were also recovered Feb. 4 at Baang, Banao, Bauko Mountain Province.

Police and environment officers also recovered 16 pieces of illegally sawn fresh pine lumber worth P3,584 piled beside the road in Sitio, Bao-ec, Paoay, Atok, Benguet.

No one was arrested during anti-illegal logging operations.

Regional police director Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez urged the public to immediately report to nearest police station illegal logging activities for arrest of those involved.

Man yields bullets at checkpoint

TAYUM, Abra -- Personnel of Regional Public Safety Police Battalion  andTayumpolice arrested a man here last week for illegal bullets.

Police identified the suspect as Rodolfo Sagban Banatao Jr., 23, of Barangay Buneg, Lacub town who was aboard a black motorcycle without plate number driven by Revilla Bulaay Dulosan, 23 when arrested at checkpoint Tuesday at Barangay Gaddani, Tayum.

Seized from Banatao were two boxes of ammunition for Cal. 22 containing 50 rounds.

Abra bocap at large after bullets found in his house

LAGANGILANG, Abra – Agents of Criminal Investigation Detection Group and town police here seized a long magazine loaded with 29 bullets for Cal. 5.56mm and drug paraphernalia at the house of barangay captain Herlie Castañeda at Laguiben, Lagangilang Abra.

The whereabouts of Castaneda, who was not around during the search is still being verified by police who said he would be charged for illegal bullets.

Driver nabbed at SM for stolen items 

BAGUIO CITY -- A driver identified as Jefferson De Peralta Dancel, 31, resident of Bayabas, Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet was arrested after he was caught by a security guard hiding grocery items in the pockets of his pants and jackets inside SM Mall here Monday night.

Prior to his arrest, he paid the items placed in the basket but failed to bring out and pay items placed in his pockets.

The guard confronted him about but failed to present receipts for the items which led to his arrest.

Chef lands in jail for ‘stealing’ food

BAGUIO CITY -- A chef was placed in jail after he was caught taking food supplies of Golden Pines Hotel here night of Feb. 7.

The suspect identified as Orlando Piscasio Tamondon, 40, of Barangay T-Alonzo here was employed as assistant cook was seen taking food from the kitchen of the hotel by the security guard who was then inspecting leaving employees.

Housemaid locked in jail for theft

BAGUIO CITY -- Awoman was locked in jail for theft after she was nabbed inside the Fariñas Bus bound for Abra-Vigan at the bus terminal here at Governor Pack Road.

The suspect identified as Rommelyn D. Ta-a, 19, of Baog, San Juan, Abra, employed as housemaid, allegedly took the money worth P6,112.50, mobile cellphone and Zoom perfume worth P1,200 of her employer.

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- A man charged for frustrated murder landed in jail after he was arrested in Barangay Encanto, Angat, Bulacan on Jan. 31 for hacking his brother last year due to land dispute.

Kalinga police director Senior Supt. Victor Wanchakan identified the suspect as Baliling Bio 28, farmer, resident of Sitio Asin, Barangay Lucog here.

He was arrested by elements Regional Intelligence Unit and intelligence branch of Provincial Public Safety Company.

Judge Marcelino K. Wacas of Regional Trial Court 2^nd Judicial Region, Bulanao, Tabuk City, recommended bail P200, 000 for his temporary liberty.

Lady nabbed for marijuana

BAUKO, Mountain Province -- A lady native of Purok Tabbacan Guinsadan here  was caught here in possession of marijuana Jan. 29.

Provincial police director Senior Supt. Rodolfo Azurin identified the suspect as Godaliva Sepulchre Pacudan, 58, farmer.

She was nabbed in her residence by Itogon, Benguet police in coordination with Bauko cops.

Judge NicodemoT.Ferrer, presiding judge of RTC Branch, La Trinidad, recommended no bail for her temporary liberty.

Man charged for violence against women, children

KAPANGAN, Benguet – A man was charged here last week for violation of Republic Act 9262 known anti-violence against women and their children act.

Polide identified the suspect as Kagie Ligawen Vicente, 42, miner, and a resident here of Copias, Gadang.

He was arrested by local cops.

Judge Francis Buliyat, Sr. presiding judge of RTC Branch 9, La Trinidad, Benguet recommended bail of P120,000 for his temporary liberty.

Lady lands in jail for estafa

TUBA, Benguet – A lady identified as Phoebe Luz Palukpok De Castro, 34, native of La Trinidad, Benguet was arrested for estafa herein her residence in Batuan, Nangalisan afternoon of Jan. 29.

Judge Florentino R. Dumlao Jr., presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 42, Dagupan City recommended bail of P40,000 for her temporary liberty.

Man charged for robbery, estafa

BANGUED, Abra – A man charged for robbery and theft identified as Christopher Pacano, 19, businessman and a resident of PoblacionTayum, Abra was arrested along Torrijos St., Zone 5, Bangued by local police Feb. 3. Judge Raphiel F. Alzate, Executive Judge, RTC Branch 1 Bangued, Abra recommended bail of P66,000 for his temporary liberty.