33 dead in N. Ecija bus crash; Leomarick franchise cancelled

Authorities vow full probe 

CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija -- At least 33 people were killed after a bus fell into a 100-foot ravine here in Barangay Capintalan before noon Tuesday even as authorities vowed to fully  investigate the incident.

             This was the latest number from Passenger Accident Management and Insurance Agency, Inc. (PAMI) operations manager Bong Nocum.

The ill-fated Leomarick bus with license plate AVZ-757 came from Santiago, Isabela and was headed to Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ordered suspension of the Leomarick franchise.

The number of passengers on board is still being determined.

Police estimate 77 people were on the bus, including about 15 teenagers aged 15-19.

A one-year-old child died in the incident.

Nocum said children whose height were less than a meter travel for free, while some just sit on their guardian's laps.

Survivors were taken to the Veterans Regional Hospital in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and other nearby hospitals, and are being treated for injuries.

Police are awaiting clearance from physicians to conduct an investigation.

The overloaded mini-bus fell into a deep ravine along a winding road near the boundary of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya killing passengers, many of whom were traveling back to Manila and Ilocos after the long Lenten break.

Police said the impact of the fall yanked out the roof of the bus. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said 18 of the fatalities were females.

A survivor,  31-year-old Ian Boy Fernandez of Sto. Domingo Bambang, said the bus was trying to overtake another bus when its engine stopped.

While the driver was trying to restart the engine, he lost control of the vehicle on a sloping portion of the road.

Fernandez, who was with his 38-year-old wife Remedios and eight-year-old son Mico, said he was able to jump off the bus as it rolled downhill and veered toward the ravine.

As he climbed down the ravine to rescue his wife and child, people gathered at the crash site taking photos.

It was not clear if his wife and son survived.

Fernandez said the bus was overloaded with more than 60 passengers, 11 of them standing, when it fell into the ravine about 100 feet deep.

Malacañang condoled with families of the fatalities and vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the tragedy.

“We express our deep condolences to the families of the victims who died in the tragic bus accident in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said. 

“We guarantee that the culprits behind the fatal bus mishap will be held accountable,” he added.

 It was not clear as of press time if the driver was among the fatalities.

             Some survivors said passengers bound for Manila would have disembarked in San Jose, Nueva Ecija to get another bus ride to the capital.

Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla rushed to the crash site together with personnel from the Philippine Red Cross and the Nueva Vizcaya provincial rescue team which, he said, retrieved 26 bodies from the site at around 3:55 p.m.

He said some of the injured were brought to the Indigenous Hospital in Aritao town, Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital in Bambang town and Veterans Regional Hospital (VRH) in Bayombong town.

                Dr. Arlene Hara, NVPH head, confirmed 13 deaths at the hospital alone.

“A still unidentified victim remains in critical condition at the ICU (intensive care unit) of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Hospital,” said Hara.

Dr. Rowena Constantino of the VRH said the dead included a six-month-old infant and seven children.

Senior Supt. Antonio Yarra, director of the Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office, said the accident took place at around 11:30 a.m. while the bus was traveling at around 75 kph along the treacherous Cagayan Valley-Nueva Ecija highway from Santiago, Isabela to Candon, Ilocos Sur.

“As of 2 p.m. about 40 victims have been taken out of the bus and lifted from the accident site, which is about 80 to 100 feet deep form the road area,” Yarra said.

He added the bus had a capacity of 45 passengers.

Authorities said rescue operation was tedious as personnel had to carefully check the injury of each passenger before removal from the site on a stretcher.

“The Cagayan Valley-Nueva Ecija highway was closed during rescue operations, which resulted in about a 3-km long queue of vehicles,” Michael Calma, of the PDRRMO, added.

              Carranglan Nueva Ecija Mayor Mary Abad said Capintala is about 45 minutes from the town proper and considered an accident prone area. 

Reports reaching Camp Crame showed four pick-up vehicles helped bring the victims to hospitals in

Bangbang, Nueva Vizcaya, which is closer to the accident area.

The mayor said local police are now coordinating with the bus management as initial reports showed the bus lost its brakes as it maneuvered a sharp curve.

PDRRMO’s Calma said “rescue teams were still checking. If you look closely, the bus appeared to have landed nose first,” he said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, LTFRB spokesperson and board member Aileen Lizada said suspension of Leomarick franchise takes effect once the bus operator, initially identified as Leonardo Patulot, receives a copy of the order.

The operator has two buses, including the one which figured in the accident.

Based on initial information from LTFRB field officers, the bus was not out of line.

Lizada said they were looking at human error and condition of the vehicle as possible cause of the accident.

If there was overloading, the bus operator and dispatcher would be asked to explain.

Investigators would also check on travel time and if there was an alternate driver.

The LTFRB recently issued a memorandum setting a six-hour limit of driving for bus drivers.

“There are many angles that we need to thresh out,” she said in an interview over dzMM radio.

“Hindi ito ang unang insidente na nagkaroon ng aksidente sa amin, kurbada kasi ‘yung daan,” Carrangalan Nueva Ecija Mayor Mary Abad told radio dzBB.

“Ito ang pinakagrabe. Talagang risky ‘yung highway dahil may mga lugar na kurbada, pero may mga signs naman,” she added.

Traffic in the area has also been affected as the national road has been temporarily closed to the public.

Authorities were still investigating the cause of the accident but Carranglan Mayor Mary Abad told ABS-CBN television there were 60 passengers onboard although the bus had a capacity of only 45.  –  Reports from Victor Martin Ric Sapnu, Manny Galvez, Raymund Catindig

Suspect in ambush of Ilocos vice mayor slain

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte -- A suspect in the ambush of Marcos town Vice Mayor Jessie Ermitanio was killed by motorcycle-riding men Tuesday.

Joey Sia, 34, resident of Barangay Cabittauran in Nueva Era town, was driving his tricycle in Barangay 14, Laoag City, when he was shot around 12:30 p.m.

He died while being treated at Governor Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital and Medical Center.

                Ermitanio and his two aides were wounded while his driver died in the ambush in Barangay Daquioag on April 4.

                Another suspect, Allan Gante, 26, was arrested during a follow-up operation.

Public warned on illegal fees for nullified expanded titles

By Dexter A See

 BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan warned residents on the alleged illegal collection of fees being done by certain groups of individuals to compensate those who fought for the nullification of the expanded titles that were declared null and void by the Supreme Court (SC) in a recent decision.

The local chief executive said there were reports that reached him that there are some individuals who approached residents affected by the expanded titles and were said to be allegedly collecting fees as the compensation for those who reportedly fought for the revocation of the expanded titles of a certain Gloria de Guzman covering portions of Sto. Tomas Apugan and Outlook Drive.

“We are disappointed over the fact that there are some unscrupulous individuals who are trying to demand from concerned residents of the affected barangays amounts of money purportedly to pay the services of those who had been fighting for the nullification of the expanded titles which should not be the case,”Domogan stressed.

Earlier, the Supreme Court junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Gloria de Guzman assailing an earlier en banc resolution that reversed a ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) that declared that the expanded titles covering a total of more than 606,000 hectares in barangays Sto. Tomas Apugan and Outlook Drive were legitimate.’           

However, the SC ruled that the titles of de Guzman only cover a total land area of over 11,000 hectares and that the declared 606,000 hectares stated in the assailed titles are considered to be expanded.

Domogan claimed credit should also be given to former Sto. Tomas Apugan Punong Barangay Federico Gallutan who had been in possession of the complete documents of the case that served as the basis in questioning de Guzman’s expanded titles before competent courts.

He also claimed former Rep. Honorato Y. Aquino contributed to the formulation of the case that was filed which assailed the expanded titles, thus, credit must be given where credit is due.

According to him, the latest SC ruling that nullified the expanded titles should serve as a warning to the affected residents for them to work out the titles over their properties to prevent a probable repeat of the scenario.

He questioned the CA for reversing the decision of the Validation Committee created under Presidential Decree 1271 in denying de Guzman’s request for validation over the expanded titles but the residents should be grateful to the SC in finding merit to their appeal and declared de Guzman’s expanded titles null and void.

Domogan appealed to the affected residents to report any incident of unwarranted collection of fees by certain individuals in the guise of reportedly paying the services of those who worked in the nullification of the expanded titles, citing that such collection of fees is considered to be illegal in the absence of a valid contract for which the collection is being undertaken.

More drug suspects slain in North, Central Luzon

More drug suspects were killed or arrested last week in Northern and Central Luzon police operations.

Jerome Ramiscal allegedly shot it out with anti-drug operatives in Barangay Quiling in Roxas, Isabela Wednesday.

 His unidentified companion fled on a motorcycle.

Police said sachets of shabu and guns were recovered from the fatalities.

In Pangasinan, Alexis Andrada, 23, a newly identified drug pusher, was sleeping at his house in Barangay Bantog in Asingan when unidentified men entered and shot him several times on Tuesday night.

Arnold Soriano and Cherry Licaycay, who were ranked first and second on the drug watchlist of Pangasinan, were arrested based on warrants issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 45 Judge Tita Obinario.

Marlon Bertulfo and Ryan Galino, both residents of Barangay Minugan in Norzagaray, Bulacan, and an alias Jamver of San Agustin, Hagonoy reportedly drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents on Tuesday.

Still in Bulacan, construction worker Joey Montesclaros, 28, was killed in an alleged shootout with policemen who responded to reports that he killed a six-year-old girl after raping her mother in Barangay San Juan in Malolos City.

Supt. Heryl Bruno, Malolos police chief, said Montesclaros was high on drugs when he committed the crime. A friend of the suspect told police that he admitted during a drinking spree on Saturday night that he was using shabu. 

Meanwhile, more drug suspects were arrested in stings in Luzon on Monday.

Two were arrested in Laoag, Ilocos Norte and one each in San Mateo also in Rizal and Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Among those arrested were Ellerick Reigndale Guillermo, 21, a civil engineering student; and Kenneth Pascual, 36,  liaison officer of a construction firm. 

In Bulacan, construction worker Joey Montesclaros, 28, was killed April 16 in an alleged shootout with policemen who responded to reports that he killed a six-year-old girl after raping her mother in Barangay San Juan in Malolos City.

Supt. Heryl Bruno, Malolos police chief, said Montesclaros was high on drugs when he committed the crime.

A friend of the suspect told police that he admitted during a drinking spree a night earlier that he was using shabu. 

– Ramon Lazaro, Raymund Catindig, Eva Visperas

Gas poison kills miner; two rushed to hospital

ITOGON, Benguet – A small scale miner was killed while two others are recuperating in a hospital here due to gas poisoning here Monday.   

A police report said the incident happened around 2 p.m. at Sitio Fatima, Ucab inside an impounding tank of tailings owned by  Jimmy Bagangao Bawayan, 43, resident  of the area.

 Investigation disclosed that Allen Dao-as, 24; Peter Ticag, 40 and Benito Bolinget Lengwa, 26, all from Madongo, Sagada, Mt. Province were cleaning the impounding tank when they suddenly had difficulty in breathing and became unconscious.

Dao-as was rushed to the  Baguio General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Ticag was also brought to the Baguio Medical Center where he is now confined while Lengwa was brought to Saint Louis Hospital.

Tiong San La Trinidad lotto outlet robbed

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A lotto outlet inside Tiong San Department Sore here at km 4 was robbed of P50,000 Tuesday night.

A police report said the heist happened between 7:45 p.m. on April 18 and 7:45 a.m. the next day.

The complainant identified as Amaria Tibangay Ramon, 27, lotto outlet sales agent told police at about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, she had an inventory of her sales then put the cash inside the drawer, locked and left the booth.

When she arrived at about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, she found out the drawer was already opened and the P50,000 cash  was missing.

She said the missing money was her collection for two days and was supposed to be picked up by lotto remittance staff on April 19. Investigation showed there was no forcible entry and some cash was still left inside the cash drawer.

The Tiongsan security guard officer identified as Revense Reyes reportedly had pushed the sensory button which automatically locks Tiongsan-La Trinidad except the ground floor parking lot of said building at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday before proceeding to his post outside fronting McDonalds.

The CCTV installed in the area has not yet been released by the establishment to police at press time.

No fingerprints were taken from the booth drawer.   

‘Carrot Man’ graces Barlig Menaliyam fest

By Dionie Chungalan

BARLIG, Mt. Province – Internet sensation Jerick Sigmaton, known as “Carrot Man,” and native of Barangay Kadaclan here graced this town’s Menaliyam Festival last week.

After the Mountain Province Lang-ay Festival in Bontoc, visitors flocked to Kadaclan, a village 58 km away from the capital town to witness the Menaliyam Festival’s 15th year since it was started with this year’s edition full of eco-tourism surprises and adventures.

Held April 17-20, the theme was “Promoting culture of peace via sports encounter.”

Foundation day activities were highlighted by cultural and ethnic showdown on the fourth day.

Last year, 23 foreign visitors from various countries added to domestic tourists as crowd-drawer to this tribal affair.

First celebrated in 2003, with this writer as forerunner, he was assisted by elders, officials and teachers to advocate indigenous knowledge, skills and practices integrated in Kadaclan schools’ courses of study.

Theme that time was “Indigenization of school curriculum.”

With this humble beginning, it awakened community folks to be proud of their cultural heritage.

Over the years, sustainability of the festival and celebration came from shared resources of local officials of the place.

Some grants were also released by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Answering to call of assistance were Kadaclan natives employed abroad who sponsored series of events.

Unexpectedly, Menaliyam Festival catapulted into a “must attend” for people who are nature lovers.

Interested visitors who intend to explore Kadaclan’s beauty spots, waterfalls, rice paddies and burial cave are advised to inquire at Kadaclan Homestay so they could avail of tour guides.

For this year’s edition, “Carrot Man” Sigmaton brought Archie Nabus and Job Tayaban who sponsored him on a trip to London.

Chee-nee de Guzman and Edwina Bandong, who discovered Jerick in Bauko that made him a sensation earlier aired their intent to join festivities.

Ambit Singlot, is now making a book about the “Carrot Man.”

The festival was participated by Kadaclan Ancestral Domain barangays namely: Chupac, Kaleo, Lunas, Ogo-ong (Barlig), and Banao in Natonin.

Presentations included portrayals of different cultural practices through music and re-enacting primitive lifestyles of villagers.

For particulars, readers may call cell phone number 09104110592.

POLICE ROUNDUP

 Worker electrocuted on Baguio overpass rooftop

BAGUIO CITY – A worker repairing the Y-shaped over pass here along Upper Magsaysay Ave., corner Bonifacio St. was badly hurt when he was electrocuted Tuesday around 10: 30 p.m.

Victim Virgilio Rondon Paguel, 21, and his co-worker were assembling  scaffoldings of rooftop of the overpass to paint the roof, when one of his co-workers handed him a metal pipe and it accidentally touched the pipe of Benguet Electric Coop. main line that caused his electrocution.

The victim collapsed and rolled down the gutter. Responders applied first aid to his burns and brought him to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment.

Attending physician Oscar M. Halum told police the victim suffered second degree burns.

 Ex-CPLA surrenders firearm in Natonin

NATONIN, Mountain Province – A former member of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army identified as Miguel B. Adwasen , 62, single, farmer here of Barangay Banawel surrendered to police a shotgun without ammunition with marking on the wooden butt “Kattet Raul.” Banasan said he obtained the shotgun in 2008 when he entered to the CPLA.

 The shotgun is now uner custody of Natonin police.

 Man jailed for illegal explosives

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao – Police arrested here Wednesday a certain Mariano Tinong, 57, farmer for illegal posssession of explosives. This, after Anastacio D. Anghad, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 36, Santiago City issued warrant against him.
 Murder lands young man in Sagada jail    

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Police arrested here Wednesday at Barangay Dagdag a certain Albert Jr. Masliyan Sibayan, 19, single for murder. Joseph A. Patnaan, presiding judge of First Judicial Region, Regional Trial Court, Branch 35, Bontoc Mountain Province earlier issued Sibayan’s arrest warrant.

Bucay hospital building burned

BUCAY, Abra – Part of the Bucay District Hospital, a separate building housing the water laboratory was burned here Wednesday noon. Police assisted the Bureau of Fire Protection and Penarrubia Fire Station in putting out the blaze. No casualty was reported. The Bucay Fire Station is still investigating cause of fire and damage cost.

Guard leaves car with engine on; bumps sedan

BAGUIO CITY – A vehicle accident happened here Wednesday around 6 a.m. at City Hall loop exit parking area when a Mitsubishi Adventure wagon bearing plate number SHY 580 while being driven by Nelson Sulday Leoncio, 41, security guard employed by Interlink Security Management Agency bumped a Mazda sedan with plate number CLG 553 while parked unattended at the parking space by its owner a certain  Flacido Ginarao, city hall employee assigned at City Treasury Office.

Investigation disclosed Lencio, security guard on duty at City Hall was about to transfer the Mitsubishi Adventure from where it was parked while maneuvering, Leoncio said he alighted from the vehicle leaving the engine running, allegedly to switch on the City Hall time monitoring siren inside the City Hall building and forgot to activate the hand brake. When he returned, the vehicle was already moving forward prompting  Leoncio to go after it, boarded the vehicle but unfortunately stepped on accelerator pedal causing the vehicle to increase speed hitting the parked Mazda sedan and  stone riprap which were damaged.

Responding traffic investigators took the statements of Ginarao and Leoncio, confiscated the security guard’s license and issued traffic citation ticket to the driver for traffic violation.

 Motorcycle driver plunges roadside; seriously hurt

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao – A motorcycle driver was seriously hurt when the vehicle he was driving plunged down around eight feet down a roadhere Wednesday around 9:25 p.m. at Sitio Galahi, Poblacion. 

The victim was identified as Giovanni B. Antonio, 23, of Barangay Hapao. He was driving a Honda motorcycle without number plate while traversing the road from Numpolia, Hungduan proceeding to Poblacion, Hungduan when the accident happened.

A co-worker of the victim named as Jova Pugong, 27, of Dumiwag, Poblacion immediately brought the victim to Hungduan District Hospital for treatment.

Govt. employee hurt in traffic altercation

LAGAWE, Ifugao – A government employee was injured after he was stoned by a man he had an altercation with following a traffic accident here Tuesday around 10 p.m. along the national road JP Rizal Avenue, Dullagan, Poblacion West.

Police named the victim as Roland Bulayo here of Cuta, Pob. West while the suspect was identified as Joel Uyan.

 Investigation disclosed the victim with his companions Jovanie Buneo and Henry Bulayo on board a motorcycle nearly bumped another motorcycle driven by Uyan that prompted the latter to stop his motorcycle and parked beside of the road.

Bulayo got down from his motorcycle and went near the suspect but noticed the suspect was holding a knife. Bulayo grabbed the knife, the  suspect to moved away and they had an argument. Bulayo threw the knife towards the suspect who picked a stone and threw it on the face of the Bulayo. Uyan ran away after the incident while the victim was brought to Natuwolan Clinic here by his companions but was referred at Panopdopan District Hospital in Lamut, Ifugao. The victim’s face was reportedly fractured. Suspect is still at large.

 No bail for man with no business permit

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A man ordered arrested by a judge for operating with a business permit was denied bail here last week.  

Albert Collado Ngoslab, 38, driver, and resident of km 12 Barangay here was arrested in his residence Tuesday around 4 p.m.

This, after Delilah Gonzales-Muñoz, presiding judge of MTC of La Trinidad, First Judicial Region, issued arrest warrant against him for violation of Municipal Ordinance No. 12-2005 known as La Trinidad Revised Revenue Code (operating business without permit.)

 Man lands in jail for frustrated murder

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Police arrested here Tuesday at Purok 4, Barangay Bulanao a certain Romel Buniaga Aggaraw, 30, of Cagumitan, Tuao, Cagayan for frustrated murder.

This, after Neljoe A Cortes, acting presiding judge of RTC Branch 25, 2^nd Judicial Region, Bulanao issued warrant against him recommending bail of P200, 000.

Montero SUV bumps, injures old woman

BAGUIO CITY – An old lady was rushed to the hospital after she was bumped along Lake Drive, Burnham Park Tuesday noon by a  Mitsubishi Montero with Plate No. AAN-6162 driven by Ronnie Boy Abat Fontanilla, 37, of San Carlos Heights.

Police named the victim as Irene Banatao Pangosban, 72, of Purok Sadjo Loakan Proper. 

Police said the victim was crossing the road when bumped by the said vehicle who came from Shanum Street, headed to Abad Santos Drive. The injured victim was brought to SLU Hospital for treatment.

Responding traffic investigator confiscated the driver’s license of the driver and the OR/CR of the vehicle.

Security guard jailed for sexual abuse of student

BAGUIO CITY - A security guard is now in jail after he reportedly sexually assaulted a 23-year-old student inside his boarding house here while the latter’s live-in partner was asleep.

The student was allegedly victimized by Sandy Kadmano Bilalay, 42, single, security guard and resident of Happy Homes here.

 Investigation disclosed around 3 a.m. Tuesday, the victim with her live-in partner named as Tommy Dela Torre Bagbagen, went to City Limit, Lower Magsaysay Ave. to look for a sports bar and decided to go to the nearby convenient store to wait for their friend.

While waiting along the sidewalk, Bagbagen approached Bilalay and asked him if he knew of any sports bar at the area who told him the sports bar at that place was already closed and instead invited them to have a drinking spree at his boarding house.

On the course of their drinking, Bagbagen fell asleep while the victim and the suspect remained and continued drinking, until Bilalay went near to the victim and started to embrace, kiss her neck and touched her shoulder down to her breast prompting the victim to resist and push the respondent, but he continued to touch her breast.

The victim ran outside but was chased by the suspect who pulled her hair until she stumbled on the ground and mauled her.

 Responding police arrested the suspect and the case was brought to the attention of inquest prosecutor Nenita Opiana who directed transfer of the suspect to Baguio City Jail.

 Drunk driver slams FX onto motorcycle; 2 hurt

MANKAYAN, Benguet – A FX Tamaraw vehicle driven by a drunk man collided with motorcycle here Tuesday around 4 p.m. along Abatan-Mankayan National Road at Dowag, Guinaoang resulting to injuries of the motorcycle’s riders.

A police report said the Tamaraw FX bearing plate number PWL198 driven by Johnwell Abawa Toking, 32, collided with the Loncin 150 motorcycle driven by  Elmer Tuangan Bacol 23, farmer. 

Investigation disclosed the Tamaraw FX was descending towards Mankayan and upon reaching the curved portion of the road, it encroached the other lane and bumped the motorcycle that was ascending towards Abatan.

As a result, the driver of the motorcycle sustained multiple abrasions and lacerated wounds on his left knee and foot while his rider Julius Tuangan Bacol, incurred deep lacerated wound and abrasions on his left knee.

Passengers of the Tamaraw FX were unharmed. The FX’s driver was under the influence of liquor based on medical certificate issued by attending physician Christy Calugay.

                The victims were rushed to Northern Benguet District Hospital Abatan, Buguias, Benguet for medication. Both vehicles were damaged.

 100 persons hold rally to support Bongbong

BAGUIO CITY – Around 100 individuals held a rally here Tuesday around 8:30 a.m. at the Supreme Court Compound here to support former Sen. Bongbong Marcos in his bid to start recount votes for the Vice Presidency. Rallyists had a permit under the name of Mark Anthony Baliton of Samahang-Ilocano Global Alumni Council Baguio-Benguet Chapter. Said gathering ended peacefully at about 9:40 a.m. same date.

 Marijuana destroyed in Santol, Kibungan 

POLICE destroyed around 25,600 marijuana plants and 30 kilos of dried leaves on April 16.

The marijuana plants, with an estimated value of P9 million, were discovered in Barangays Sapdaan, Santol, La Union and Mocgao in Kibungan town, Chief Insp. Danilo Ligayo, town police chief, said yesterday.

Meanwhile, suspected drug pushers were arrested in stings in Concepcion, Tarlac; three in Lingayen and San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

Five men arrested for illegal firearms

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Five men were arrested in different parts of the region last week for illegal guns.

In Abra, cops arrested three individuals at a checkpoint who tried to escape, but caught after short chase. Suspect identified as Roderick Bernardez Afroilan, 23, of Poblacion, Penarrubia town was arrested April 15, along Lingsad, Riang in the town. Recovered from his possession was a Cal. 45 pistol loaded with seven bullets.  

The following day, police arrested Ian Millare Taluban 37, of Deet, Tayum, Abra and Germalon Tauro Potolin, 29, of Angad, Bangued along Angad-Bacsil Road in Angad. Recovered from their possession were one M16 baby armalite; Cal.45 loaded with eight bullets; three magazines for 5.56 mm gun ; 52 bullets and 14 sachets of suspected shabu.

 In Ifugao, another gun holder was arrested April 16, at Banao, Poblacion East, Lagawe .

Suspect was identified as Jaypee Dulnuan of Kiangan, Ifugao. He was reported to have taken a key of a motorcycle from his victims and failed to return this. Despite presence of responding PNP personnel, he refused to return the key prompting the policemen to search him. Recovered from his possession was a Cal. 38 handgun with loaded with three bullets and a fired cartridge case tucked on his waist.

In Kalinga, a tricycle driver identified as Jose Lecs Panabang Dorico, 41, and  resident of Purok 3, Masablang, Tabuk City, Kalinga was arrested in a checkpoint night of April 14, along the National Highway, Block 3, Purok 5, Bulanao, Tabuk City.

Recovered from his possession was an Armscor .45 cal. Pistol, with magazine loaded with 5 live ammunitions, one light brown sling bag and black wallet containing his driver’s license and  P34,538.

Recently, after responding to a reported shooting incident at a disputed land in Laya West, Tabuk City, Kalinga morning of April 17, police recovered one  M16 rifle loaded with 14  bullets, Magazine for M16 loaded with 27 bullets hidden in a grassy area and one revolver loaded with four bullets for M16 hidden in a garbage can.

All arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence are now under the custody of the concerned operating units while charges are being prepared for filling of charges against the arrested persons in court.

Chief Supt. Francis Sarona, regional police director said regional police will maintain campaign against loose firearms to lessen threat to the peace and order in the region. 

Man steals victim’s cell phone, mauls him

BAGUIO CITY – A certain Charles Jojo Lapniten Besitan, 19, student, was allegedly victimized by  Ronald Valdez De Vera, 21, jobless, who took the former’s cell phone and mauled him Monday

around 8:15 a.m. here at Sinkhole Tabora Park, Lower Magsaysay.

Investigation disclosed the victim was walking along adjacent Bonifacio Street, when he noticed that his cellphone placed at the pocket of his backpack was missing. He went back to his previous route and saw the suspect holding a cell phone that looked like his missing cellphone.

When the victim confronted De Vera, the suspect denied his accusation and suddenly boxed him. They were pacified by a jeepney barker identified as Raffy Leona Centeno who called for police assistance. The victim was brought to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment. The case was referred to the inquest prosecutor.

Farmer stabs 2 teens in Ifugao

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao – A farmer stabbed two male teenagers here around 11:30 p.m. Monday at a “peryahan” in Barangay  Potia.

Victims were identified as Rene Juan, 16, and Jezrael Bil-agon, 17 while the suspect was named as Gaudencio Bracino, 36, married, of Polanqui Albay and presently residing at Potia.

Investigation showed the victims were playing at the “peryahan” when the suspect approached them and without any reason, stabbed the back of Juan using an ice pick. When Bil-agon tried to help Juan, he was also stabbed. The suspect fled immediately after the incident. Both victims were brought to Potia District Hospital but were referred to Santiago City Hospital for treatment. Manhunt for the arrest of the suspect is ongoing.

Tourist rescued inside Sagada cave 

SAGADA, Mountain Province – A tourist was rescued inside a cave here after she fainted due to hyperventilation syndrome April 14 around 12 noon. 

Tourist Mary Grace De la Cruz, 37 of Imus, Cavite reportedly felt dizzy and fainted inside Lumiang Cave in Barangay Ambasing prompting guides to ask for help from police, Disaster personnel and Tour Guides Rescue Group who brought her to Saint Theodore’s Hospital.

De La Cruz with 12 companions, all residents of Imus, Cavite reportedly arrived here and booked at Kenlibed Lodge in Barangay Dagdag on April 13 about 6:30 p.m.

The next day, they got the services of two guides for a cave tour starting from Lumiang Cave up to the connecting Sumaguing Cave.

Upon reaching middle of Lumiang,  De la Cruz said  she could no longer walk, felt dizzy and fainted that prompted the tour guides to return outside the cave and call for assistance.

 At around 1:20 p.m. rescuers got inside the cave and immediately brought De la Cruz to the hospital. She was discharged around 2:35 p.m. that day.

 Homicide lands man in La Trinidad jail 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A man was arrested here Monday for homicide.The suspect was identified as James Rafael Quibac, 40, of Ambongdolan, Tublay, Benguet and resident here of Barangay Wangal. This, after Emmanuel Cacho Rasing, acting presiding judge of RTC Branch 10, La Trinidad, Benguet issued arrest warrant against him.

Man found dead along Abra river 

DOLORES, Abra – Police found the decomposing body of a man here at Ban-aw River, Barangay Isit Monday.

The body was identified as that of Rogelio Claor Timbreza, 49, married, farmer of Poblacion, Lapaz town. Chuleta Timbreza, wife of the victim told police he had been missing since April 12 after he went afternoon that day to their rice field at Cardona, Dolores which is adjacent to Barangay Isit and failed to return home. The cadaver was subjected to autopsy but results were not revealed at press time.

US resident’s house razed in Bangued

BANGUED, Abra -- A two-storey residential house with extension, made up of concrete and wood owned by a certain Ruby Domingo, who is presently residing in the United States was razed to the ground here Monday night.

A police report said town firemen tried to put out the fire behind the Bangued Public Market Zone 2 to no avail.

The Bangued Municipal Fire Station disclosed the fire started around 9:40 p.m. and was declared out by BFP personnel around 11:45 p.m. Origin of the fire and cost of damages have yet to be determined. 

 Lot marker leads to brawl  between couple, two women

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A dispute over a land marker (muhon) led to a brawl between a couple and two women here Monday around 8:45 a.m. at Barangay Buyagan.

Police identified the victims as Joel, 42, farmer and Novilyn, 40, teacher both surnamed Basilio and residing at AE 1 Western Buyagan.

The suspects were identified as Rose Maliones, 40, resident of same place and Nora Bissok Lagadeo, 36, farmer of JB 17 km 4, Barangay Pico.

Investigation disclosed Joel was preparing his car for church when he saw Lagadeo and asked her about the steel bar that he placed as marker at the corner after they surveyed the lot.

A few minutes later, Maliones went to the victims’ house shouting, “Sino ti agdamdamag ti muhon?” and Joel replied it was him. Both parties went to the area where Joel placed the alleged missing steel bar.
While Joel was talking, Maliones suddenly slapped his face causing a scratch on his right cheek. His wife Novilyn came near them but Lagadeo suddenly slapped her left cheek and grabbed her hair. While Lagadeo and Novilyn were pulling each other’s hair, Maliones took a piece of wood and struck the head of Novilyn. Novilyn was confined at the Benguet General Hospital. 

Complaint filed against man for attempted murder   

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao – A live-in couple filed a complaint against a certain Anacleto Cadiente for allegedly attempting to kill them here April 16.

Police named complainants as farmers Diolison Sosia Galinggana, 30 and Nida Sabaria Garcia, 44, of Barangay Sta. Maria who gave to police certificate to file action from the office of Barangay Sta. Maria against Cadiente.

Investigation disclosed around 4 p.m. of April 9, the suspect appeared at the house of the complainants under the influence of liquor, armed with a bolo and threatened to kill complainants.  The live-in partners got out of the house when the suspect attacked them and swung his bolo but he was pacified by his responding relatives. 

The incident reportedly emanated from unpaid credit of  complainants which the latter claimed to have already paid to the suspect. 

The case was referred to the barangay office but no settlement was reached when the suspect did not appear on the set date, thus, barangay officials endorsed the case to police. Case was referred to the provincial prosecutor’s office in Lagawe, Ifugao.

 

 ‘Killer’ of pizza resto boss nabbed

BANTAY, Ilocos Sur – A man who gunned down the manager of a pizza restaurant down here in Barangay Zone 5 on April 15 is now in jail. 

Police identified the victim as Keinth Doon, 29. The employees of the pizza parlor beat up the gunman identified as Leo Ubilas, 32.

Ubilas surrendered to responding policemen and turned over his Cal. 38 revolver.

Investigators are eyeing a love triangle as the motive for the attack.      By Raymund Catindig

Man shot dead near former mayor’s house

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A still unidentified man was shot dead near the house of a former mayor of this capital town Wednesday around 5:45 a.m.

Earlier, a security guard of Benguet General Hospital called police station saying a victim of a shooting incident was brought to the BeGH. The victim was described as aged 30 to 40 with height of 5’3” to 5’5,” wearing green jacket, white t-shirt with writing "Mighty Feeds" and green short pants with "Army" label.

Investigation disclosed the victim went to buy at a store near the residence of former La Trinidad Mayor Galwan at Eastern Buyagan, Poblacion when the gunman, wearing white bonnet, surgical mask, nylon white jacket, denim pants and black leather shoes came from behind and shot the victim with unknown caliber of firearm at the back of his head that exited through his forehead.

The killer fled to unknown direction while victim was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Elvira T. Lampacan. Police didn’t name persons who brought the victim to the hospital.