POLICE ROUNDUP

PNP resumes offensive operations against NPA

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office – Cordillera is again on alert against New People’s Army rebels after suspension of offensive operations against the communist group in Cordillera in line with the Christmas truce declaration by both parties in observance of the Yuletide season.

                Cordillera regional director Chief Supt. Ulysses Abellera said the truce which started Dec. 23, 2015 ended Jan. 1.

Abellera said that as part of the yearly tradition, suspension of offensive police operations is observed and respected by all units and personnel of the PRO-Cor that prohibits the troops from initiating offensive police operations against the NPA.

Said suspension, however, does not cover normal law enforcement operations including the serving of warrants of arrest, Abellera said.

 Man lights up last fireworks

BANGUI, Ilocos Norte — A court employee was killed after he accidentally fell from atop a dump truck while lighting up fireworks to celebrate the New Year in Barangay San Lorenzo, here. The fatality, Pastor Calvan, 42, employee of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch in Bangui, died at the hospital due to a serious head injury. Witnesses said Calvan lost his balance and fell while looking at the “bomb shell” fireworks he lit on top of the truck. His head hit the steel side of the truck. They added that they were celebrating the birthday of a municipal official during the incident. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Farmer kills 12-year-old girl in Kalinga

TINGLAYAN Kalinga – A 12-year-old girl died after a farmer hit her with a piece of wood here at Barangay Tulgao,  West around 8 p.m. Monday.

The student, whose identity was not disclosed died instantly. Police identified the suspect as Gassat Sagingit, 30.

Investigation disclosed that the victim was at their residence when the suspect arrived and without apparent reason struck her with the use of a wood then immediately fled. A manhunt was launched against the suspect.

 Man mauls lady after drinking in bar without paying bill

BAGUIO CITY – A certain Lilet Macadeg Estubo was mauled by a certain Esco Yam-ewCayat, 25, of Km 5, La Trinidad, Benguet, after the former followed him for not paying his bill in People’s 3 Bar here along Kayang St. around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Investigation disclosed that the suspect had a drinking spree inside the bar after which he transferred to another bar called Sister’s Place without paying his bill. The victim then followed and demanded for his bill but instead, he punched her several times and grabbed and pulled her hair.

It was not known if Estubo was the owner or or an employee of the bar. The suspect was pacified by personnel of public order and safety division of Baguio City who detained him at Baguio City Jail on order of inquest prosecutor Margarita Manalo. 

Motorbike collides with car; 2 dead

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — A businessman and his daughter died while his wife was critically injured after their motorcycle accidentally collided with a car while engaging a curve along the national highway in Barangay Sampaloc, Cabatuan, Isabela, Jan. 3. . Police said the fatalities – Johnny “Boy” Lamorena, 35, and his daughter, Danica – died on the spot while Mrs. Jocelyn Lamorena, 35, was being treated at a hospital in Cauayan City as of press time yesterday afternoon. Joseph Daga, driver of the Honda Civic car (TKA-760) that figured in the accident is already in the custody of police. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

PNP Ethics Day observed in Ilocos Region

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union —Chief Supt. Ericson T. Velasquez, Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) director, led last Monday’s celebration of the 22nd PNP Ethics Day with the theme: “PNP’s Commitment to Genuine Transformation a Key to Achieving Public Trust and Excellent Service” at the PRO1 Grandstand, here. In his message, Velasquez stressed that genuine transformation in the PNP shall be visible when “every member of the organization is involved, becomes compassionate and acts like prophet who can announce good news and avoid evil.” The Ethics Day celebration ended with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Daguno. -- Mar T. Supnad

Arrest warrant served against lady in jail for estafa, illegal recruitment

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A woman wanted for illegal recruitment and estafa was served a warrant of arrest here Tuesday inside the muncipal jail by Bokod town cops. Suspect Julie De Castro Guiloran, 47, had a standing arrest warrant issued by Judge Maria Ligaya Rivera of Regional Trial Court, Baguio City. Rivera recommended bail of P40,000 and P30,000 for two cases.

Trike bumps woman in Conner 

CONNER, Apayao -- A motorcycle driven by a certain Jeffrey Nana, 17, accidentally bumped a woman named as Mina Balnao, 54, while the latter was crossing a road at Barangay Malama here about 4;15 p.m. Tuesday. The victim’s head was injured and was brought to Cagayan Valley Medical Center, Tuguegarao City for medical treatment. The driver together with the motorcycle was brought to Conner for investigation. 

Van collides withTamaraw FX in Bontoc; driver hurt

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- a vehicular accident transpired here nonn Tuesday along SitioGalingan, Alab, Bontoc here involving a Hyundai Grace van driven by Harry Bulion, 34, and a Tamaraw FX driven by Silvestre Baki, 45.

Investigation disclosed the driver of the van while traversing towards Bontoc, encroached to the other lane and bumped the Tamaraw FX coming from the opposite direction. Baki sustained injuries on his head while both vehicles were damaged. Case was amicably settled.

Man drowns at Kiangan river

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao – The body of a man identified as Marcos Ananayo, 67 was found at the Mayoyang River, Tuesday, believed to have drowned.   

Police said one Maria Ananayo Binwag, 41, of Maggok, Hungduan town told police her father was missing since Dec. 25, 2015.

The victim reportedly planned to go to Barangay Bokiawan, Kiangan, on Jan. 1 to attend a family gathering. However, family members didn’t know didn’t know where he went prompting them to locate him.

Bungalow burned in Baguio 

BAGUIO CITY – A bungalow made of wood was burned here Tuesday at about 6:45 a.m. at SitioBilis, Apugan, Sto. Tomas Central. Police said the house was owned by Dominga Miguel Talco, of Barangay Dontogan.

Investigation disclosed that the caretaker of the house identified as MarlitaSabadoCachero, 48, was cooking at the dirty kitchen using firewood. She left the kitchen unattended that prompted the fire to spread. Estimated cost of damage was P200,000.

PRO-COR removes tape on muzzles of firearms

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – The Police Regional Office Cordillera officially removed the taped muzzles of service firearms here Monday.

Chief Supt. Ulysses J. Abellera, regional police director and command group led the ceremony as part of campaign against illegal discharge of firearms and indiscriminate firing involving PNP personnel in the region during the observance of the Yuletide Season.

Last Dec. 14, police taped muzzles of firearms with tape, to prevent them from firing their weapons indiscriminately during the holidays.

President Benigno Aquino earlier cited PNP for having record of 384 cases during the yuletide season since Dec 16. It was lower than the 5-year average and 53% lower than last year. Meanwhile, a total of nine amputations were recorded with  no firework ingestion.

Man charged for rape of sis-in-law

RAMON, Isabela – A 22-year-old housewife filed rape charges against her brother-in-law here Dec. 31.

Ben Domingo allegedly raped the victim in his house in Purok 1, Bugallon Norte on Christmas Eve, said Chief Insp. Genesis Cabacungan, Ramon police chief.

Cabacungan said the incident allegedly occurred while the victim’s children were sleeping and her husband went on a drinking spree with his friends.

Theft case filed against bingo joint employee

BAGUIO CITY – Theft charges were filed Monday in court against an employee of Highland Bingo here at Center Mall for allegedly not remitting P41,000 to management. 

Reinarose Nubal Guina, 25, acting supervisor of the bingo jointfiled complaint against Mary Jane Azucena Narito, 24, card seller, of Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet.

                Investigation disclosed that the victim prompted to file complaint against the suspect after the latter for failing to remit her collection.

Van plunges into ravine; 1 killed, 12 hurt

KABAYAN, Benguet -- A 68-year-old man died and 12 of his relatives suffered serious injuries when their Delica van plunged into a 100-meter ravine in Barangay Batan here on Jan. 1.


A report from the Cordillera Office of the Civil Defense identified the fatality as Ramon Alberas.

The victims were traveling from Atok town to attend the wake of their relative when the driver of the van (XGU-210), identified as Cornelio Censo, lost control of the wheel as he was driving down the road.

The victims, including Censo, were brought to the Benguet General Hospital for treatment.

2 young men mauled

BAGUIO CITY – Two young men were mauled by still unidentified suspects here at about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday in front of Trishia’s Store, Purok 6, Dontogan. Police identified the victims as NolascoRabanal Fabular Jr., 25, and Jino Anogui Guimpac, 19.

Investigation disclosed that the victims were consuming their coffee at the said store when suddenly a group of more or less six male persons and without apparent reason approached and mauled them. As a result, the victims sustained injuries and were brought to Baguio General Hospital for medical treatment while the suspects fled after the incident.

Ilocos police officers observe “Ethics Day’

CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union —Chief Supt. Ericson T. Velasquez, Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) director, led last Monday’s celebration of the 22nd PNP Ethics Day with the theme: “PNP’s Commitment to Genuine Transformation a Key to Achieving Public Trust and Excellent Service” at the PRO1 Grandstand, here. In his message, Velasquez stressed that genuine transformation in the PNP shall be visible when “every member of the organization is involved, becomes compassionate and acts like prophet who can announce good news and avoid evil.” The Ethics Day celebration ended with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Daguno.  -- Mar T. Supnad

Vendor jailed for pointing gun at bocap,  kagawad 

BAGUIO CITY – A vendor is now in hot water for pointing a gun at a barangay captain and his kagawad. Police said the incident happened Tuesday around 7:30 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. when barangay captain Ronaldo Garcia and kagawad Wendell Sahagun of BGH Compound were patrolling the barangay and encountered one Apolinario Valera Tesoro, 45, who was holding an improvised shotgun (sumpak). The said barangay officials confronted Tesoro, but the latter pointed the gun at them and fled after the incident. Cops later arrested Tesoro and confiscated the firearm which had two bullets.

PRO-COR top brass conduct traditional ‘New Year Call’

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Officers of the Police Regional Office Cordillera conducted traditional “New Year's Call” to the police regional director here Monday. 

Attendees were members of Command Group headed by Chief Supt. Robert G. Quenery, deputy regional director for administration.

The New Year’s Call is a yearly traditional activity wherein all Philippine National Police members pay a courtesy call to their commanders and or key officials.

Chief Supt. Ulysses J. Abellera, Cordillera police director lauded efforts of his officers for making “Operation Plan LambatSibat” successful that contributed in the drop of crime incidents in the region especially during Yuletide Season. He said he found joy on faithfulness and performance of his officers and men -- key factors in delivering excellent public service.

Woman gunned down in Pangasinan town

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – A woman was shot dead in Barangay Maliwara here before dawn Monday.

Soledad Reyes, 54, was walking on her way home after attending a Christmas party at the barangay hall when a man on a motorcycle shot her several times, said Supt. Charlie Umayam, San Carlos City police chief.

Police recovered bullet shells for a caliber. 45 pistol at the scene.  – Eva Visperas      

Hostage-taker shot dead

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – A 38-year-old man, who held hostage a nine-year-old boy in Barangay Balibago in Angeles City on Tuesday was shot dead.

Senior Supt. Sidney Villaflor, Angeles City police director, identified the hostage-taker as JonJonRoncales, 38, a resident of Leyte. 

Investigation showed Roncales, who was holding a fork, took Ralph Leonard Dy while the boy was eating with his mother and sister.

Villaflor said the assault was carried out after Roncales pointed the fork at the victim’s eyes.

Dy, who was injured, was brought to a hospital for treatment. – RicSapnu  

P11.4 M marijuana plants uprooted

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union – Anti-drug operatives uprooted and destroyed marijuana plants worth P11.4 million during an operation in Barangay Bayabas San Gabriel in La Union last week.

The marijuana plants were discovered by members of the San Gabriel police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in  a 5,700-square-meter plantation, Senior Superintendent Angelito Dumangeng, La Union police director, said.

“The cultivators of the marijuana plants fled when they sensed that our troops were conducting operations,” Dumangeng said.      

3 dead, 3 hurt in Pangasinan stabbings, shooting

DAGUPAN CITY – Three persons died and three others were injured in separate stabbing and shooting incidents in Pangasinan Dec. 30.

Rommel Daroya, 22, suffered multiple stab wounds and was declared dead on arrival at the Dagupan Medical Center.

Arnold Clores, 44; Armando Clores Jr., 37; and Ildefonso Rosario, 27, were injured and brought to various hospitals for treatment.

Investigation showed the victims were involved in a fight in Barangay Salisay here.

In Barangay Bonuan Gueset, Mharnie Caoile, 33, was stabbed by his drinking buddies after an argument. He died while being treated at the Decena Hospital.

Suspects Junior Cavalles, 26, and RonieBroce, 36, escaped.

In Balungao town, a driver of a construction supply store was shot dead in Barangay San Aurelio at dawn that day.

Roland Soliven, 47, a resident of Santo Niño 2nd in San Jose, Nueva Ecija suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Police said the victim had a drinking spree with his nephews prior to the incident. – Eva Visperas