POLICE ROUNDUP

Suspect’s pa nabbed for bribing anti-drug agent

SAN JUAN, La Union -- A businessman was arrested here April 28 for allegedly bribing an anti-drug operative.

Jacklord Soriano handed P81,000 to Paul Pestelos, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-La Union special enforcement office agent, for the release of his son Jack Warren, 22 who was nabbed in a sting here in Barangay Urbiztondo  a dy earlier, said  Bismarck L. Bengwayan, Ilocos PDEA information officer.

Jacklord earlier reportedly approached several PDEA agents handling the case of his son. He openly offered a large sum of money for the release of his son.

The agents immediately arranged video surveillance in their office and invited the father to talk inside wherein his illegal offers were recorded.

The law enforcers immediately cuffed the father after he offered P81,000 which was confiscated and will be used against the suspect as evidence He was charged under Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code or corruption of public officials.

“Our sacrifice for our community and family cannot be tainted by bribery,” said Jeoffrey Tacio, PDEA-Region 1 director. 

In Pangasinan, Victoriano Ortega Jr., 32, councilman of Barangay Malibong in Urbiztondo, and former councilor Mark Joseph Andrada of Urdaneta were collared after police recovered sachets of shabu during raids on their houses also on April 28.          

 Buried drum yields firearm in Pinukpuk

PINUKPUK, Kalinga -- Troops of the army’s 50th Infantry Battalion discovered a drum buried in the ground that contained an armalite rifle and subversive documents of New People’s Army here in Barangay Apatan Morning of April 30.

Maj. Gen. Paul T. Atal, commander of the army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID), said troopers were on security patrol at 6 a.m. when they discovered the drum believed buried by members of the Komiteng Larangan Guerrilla Baggas, a local guerrilla unit of NPA that operates in the area.

Apart from an M16A1 rifle, the drum also contained detonating cord, detonating fuse and subversive documents.

More NPA sightings in Cagayan towns

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- the Cagayan Police Provincial Office recorded 989 sightings of New People’s Army rebels in the 12 towns of the province.

Chief Insp. Santos Valdovizo said there are two main groups of communist rebels operating in Cagayan – the west committee led by Christina Garcia, and the east committee headed by David Soriano. Together, their members are scattered over 89 barangays in the province. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Fire razes Baguio's Café by the Ruins

BAGUIO CITY -- Café by the Ruins, a popular restaurant here caught fire on afternoon of April 29.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the fire in the café’s city hall branch in Chuntug Street, Baguio, broke at 12:04 p.m. It reached second alarm and was declared out at 12:50 p.m.

Netizens said carpenters from a neighboring hotel tried to put out the fire as it happened while customers were eating inside the café.

Edgie Guevarra, a customer took a video of the fire incident.

Café by the Ruins, in its Facebook account, said there no guests or members of the staff were affected by the blaze.

“We'd like to update everyone that our staff and guests are safe and we thank you all for the concern. We are handling this emergency as diligently and efficiently as we can,” the management’s statement read.

“The fire at Cafe by the Ruins (City Hall branch) has been put out. All customers and employees were safely evacuated. There is an ongoing investigation. Thank you for your concern and support,” it added.

The Baguio café has been a favorite of local and international tourists. It was even used as one of the movie locations of a popular local film “That Thing Called Tadhana” in 2014.

Illegal drug group member nabbed

BAGUIO CITY – An alleged member of a local drug group was arrested night of April 21 by anti-narcotics agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera with police in a sting operation here at Purok 4, Sumulong Extension, Holy Ghost Proper.

Christian Tuano Villaluz, alias Bentong, 28, of Sta. Escolastica Village, was nabbed when he sold three heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu to a PDEA-CAR undercover agent.

He is now detained at the Baguio City Jail and will be facing a case for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act Number 9165 otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002".

Farmer nabbed for highgrading 

MANKAYAN, Benguet – A farmer was arrested here Tuesday for highgrading. The suspect ws named as Nestor Kitayan Martin, 38, here of Camanpaguey, Cabiten.

Martin was nabbed along Cervantes Road., Poblacion after Jonathan Segundo, presiding judge of MTC Mankayan issued warrant against him for iViolation of Presidential Decree 581 (highgrading) and set bail of P10,000 for his temporary liberty.

Ifugao bocap nabbed for theft

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao – The barangay captain of San Marcos here was arrested Tuesday for qualified theft and denied by the judge who ordered him arrested.

Nabbed was Aldwin Manganaan Patli, 32 after Judge Rufus G Malecdan of the RTC Branch 15, Alfonso Lista issued warrant against him.

 Wanted man arrested in Sadanga 

SADANGA, Mountain Province – Cops of Baguio City found a laborer wanted for serious physical injuries in the summer capital and arrested him here along with local police Tuesday at Barangay Bekigan.

Nabbed was Norman Wara “Ngawit” Fokeng, 30, resident here after  Mia Joy C. Oallares-Cawed, presiding judge of 1st Judicial Region, Branch 4 issued warrant for his arrest. Cawed set bail of P24,000 for his temporary liberty.

Farmer nabbed for acts of lasciviousness

BAGUIO CITY -- A certain Rufino Dugiang Bimmutag, 27, laborer  of km 6 Asin Road, Tadiangan Tuba, Benguet was arrested Tuesday in this city for acts of lasciviousness. This, after warrant of arrest was issued by  Mia Joy C. Oallares-Cawed, presiding judge of RTC Branch 4, Baguio City against him and recommended bail of P12,000 for his temporary liberty.

 Epileptic found dead in Abra comfort room

LAGANGILANG, Abra – A man suffering from epilepsy was found dead was found dead at his residence here in Barangay Presentar around 4 p.m.

A police report said a concerned citizen reported to police the victim Exikiel Lopes Obillo, 34 was found lifeless lying inside their comfort room by his son Carl Yheksell Obillo.

Police found no injury on the victim’s body.  Locals said the victim  often had seizures. Relatives declined autopsy of the victim.

Trike driver bumps taxicab; injured

SABLAN, Benguet -- A vehicular traffic accident transpired here Tuesday around 9 a.m. along Monglo, Bayabas involving a tricycle driven by Juanito Cachero Ap-ap, 46, farmer and a taxicab bearing plate number AYR 446 driven by Benjamin Capinpin Ibangga, 55, of Spring Hills, San Luis, Baguio City.

Police Investigation disclosed the tricycle encroached the opposite lane and accidentally bumped the taxicab coming from the opposite direction. The driver of the tricycle sustained multiple injuries on different parts of his body and was immediately rushed to the Baguio General Hospital by the responding firemen. Both parties agreed to amicably settle the case.

Gunrunning syndicate member, 3 nabbed for guns

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Regional police implementing search warrants arrested an alleged leader of a gun-running syndicate and three others last week.

Police arrested the leader of “Balagan Group” identified as Edwin Dela Peña Balagan, 45, in his residence at Madago, San Ramon West, Manabo, Abra Tuesday. 

Confiscated items were Cal. 45 pistol, two magazines for Cal. 45; Cal.5.56 rifle and more than 100 bullets.

A police report said the Balagan Group is believed to be involved in gun-running activities and responsible in supplying illegal firearms to criminals in Abra and nearby provinces.

Meanwhile, another two revolver custodian identified as Pedrito Bustillo Silvano Sr. and Pedrito Bustillo Silvano Jr., both of Camp 6, Kennon Road, Tuba, Benguet were also arrested in their residence early Tuesday. Items confiscated were Cal. 38 revolver and four bullets.

 Gavino Ducayag was also arrested in his residence at Barikir, San Antonio, after several firearms and bullets were seized in his house Monday morning.

Seized items were an M16 rifle loaded with two bullets, two magazines for M16 rifle; six short magazines for M16 rifle; 66 bullets for M16 rifle, nine bullets for GA 12 Shotgun and one bullet for Cal 9 mm handgun.

Arrested suspects are now in jail in concerned police stations.

Young man stabbed by 2 farmers in Abatan

BUGUIAS, Benguet – A farmer was stabbed here Tuesday in Barangay Abatan around 11 p.m. wherein the victim was named as Efren Bay-Og, 20, while suspects were identified as Leo Garcia Cabugat, 26, and Mar Cabugat Saltat, 26, both farmers.

 Investigation disclosed that the victim and the suspects together with their companions were about to go home after their drinking session at one of the liquor stores.

However, a heated conversation ensued along the way which caused a fist fight among them, wherein suspects stabbed the victim. Bay-og was rushed to Lutheran Hospital in Abatan, Buguias, Benguet and later transferred to Luis Hora Regional Hospital in Bauko, Mountain Province for further treatment

Police report didn’t say if assilants were arrested.

Two men hacked in Kiangan brawl

KIANGAN, Ifugao – Two men were hacked here April 26 around 9:53 p.m. in a brawl along the road of Baguinge involving Joval Humiwat Buhyag, 35 and Greggie Manghi Tuliaw, 30 and Esteward Humiwat Buhyag who ran away after the incident.

Responding cops rushed victims Greggie Manghi and Joval Buhyag to  Natuwolan Hospital, Lagawe, for medication due to hack wounds on their foreheads.  Investigation reveals during the brawl, Buhyag got a  bolo and hacked the victims and fled towards unknown direction.

 
Member of Sadeek drug group nabbed

BAGUIO CITY – A member of the Sadeek drug group identified as Christian Villaluz, 28, here of Santa Escolastica was arrested at Purok 4, Sumulong Extension, Holyghost Proper night of April 28.

The drug group is operating in Baguio reportedly responsible for distributing illegal drugs in the city and nearby provinces. Five members of the group were arrested last year and Villaluz was the latest arrested.

Confiscated from Viallaluz were shabu and buy bust money of o P1,000.

 Two drug suspects arrested in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY -- Two drug suspects were arrested here April 28 for illegal drugs. They were identified as Marie Claro De La Cruz , 39, waitress, of Bacolod City and John Lagadan Wangdali Jr., 42, of Lubon, Tadian, Mountain Province, both residents here of Block 3 Middle Quirino Hill.

Confiscated from them were shabu and buy-bust money pf P500.

 
‘Drug pusher’ nabbed with shabu, P200K

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – An alleged illegal drug pusher named as Joey Daw-ayen Villamor, 36, farmer of Lanas, Loo Buguias, Benguet was arrested here at Barangay Shilan on April 30.

Seized from Villamor were shabu, drug paraphernalia, buy bust money of P500, cash of P200,000, Cal. 38 revolver and five bullets.

Unemployed man found dead in room

BAGUIO CITY – An unemployed man was found dead here April 30 midday at Lot 3 Himalaya Street, Shangrila Village, San Luis Village. The body was identified as that of Arnold Adriano Talplacido, 38. 

Adoracion Esplana Cayabyab, 64, stay-in caretaker of the house, said she last saw Talplacido alive 8 p.m. April 28 when the victim had dinner and watched TV. Talplacido did not go out of his room for two days so she knocked on the victim’s bedroom which was locked from inside. When he didn’t get a reply, she sought assistance from their tenants who opened the bedroom door with a duplicate key and discovered the body. 

Police brought the body to Bahay Damayan Funeral Homes, Marcos Highway for autopsy while waiting for his relatives.

 
 Boy ran over by water delivery truck killed

BAGUIO CITY – A 14-year-old kid died when he was ran over by a water delivery truck here April 30 around 7:20 p.m. along Crystal Cave Road.

The victim was identified as Ahron Waive Partosa Daluyen, Grade 7 student, and resident of No. 321 Upper Asin Road, km 3. Purok 1.

Police said he was ran over by Isuzu Elf water truck bearing a license plate Nr. RHD-275, driven by Bonifacio Velasco Ronquillo III, 19. 

 Investigation disclosed the truck with plate no. RHD-275 loaded with 20 drums of water was slowly traversing towards Crystal Cave turning point when a group of teenagers ran after the vehicle. Three were able to hitch at the back of the truck. The victim was not able to hitch at the back of the vehicle prompted so he held at the side of the truck but slipped then fell and was ran over by the right rear tire of the same vehicle.

The victim died on the spot due to severe traumatic head injuries as confirmed by Dr. Rodrigo Leal. The victim's body was brought by police to  Bahay Damayan Funeral along Marcos Highway

 Responding traffic investigators processed the scene of accident, confiscated the driver’s license of the suspect and the OR/CR of the vehicle for reference in filing of case. Case is for inquest.

2 persons drown in P’sinan waters

BOLINAO, Pangasinan – Two persons drowned in separate incidents in Pangasinan on April 30.

Joel Solon, 49, of Cosmo Fortune Corp. based in Taguig City, was swimming on a beach with his co-employees in Barangay Patar in this town during a company outing when the accident occurred.

Construction worker Jessie Ruiz, 28, was swept away by the strong current of the river in Pozzorubio when he took a dip after a drinking spree with his brother and a friend.

Ruiz was pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital. – Eva Visperas

 Security guard shot dead, another hurt

By Eva Visperas

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan -- Security guard Manuel Nillo Tani, 38, was allegedly shot dead here April 29 by his drinking buddy Salvador Padilla. Padilla was arrested in a follow-up operation. Authorities have yet to determine the motive for the killing.

Meanwhile, another security guard, Dante Garcia, 50, was wounded while his companion Rogelio Cayab-yab, 47, was unharmed in an attack in nearby Malasiqui town.

Garcia and Cayabyab were on their way home from the wake of a friend when the suspect, identified as Reynaldo Aquino, shot them.

              Probers are eyeing a quarrel over a card game at the wake as the motive for the attack. 

 Man kills self, wife, daughter

By Raymund Catindig

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya – A businessman reportedly committed suicide after shooting his wife and daughter here in Barangay Abinganan, Bambang on Tuesday.

Reonel Ramel, 49, reportedly told his neighbor Nixon Domingo, 37, at around 9 a.m. that his family would commit suicide.

Domingo told police he heard gunshots when Ramel entered his house.

              Ramel died from a gunshot to the head and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital.

His wife Monica, 49, manager of the Rural Bank of Bayombong, and daughter Catherine were confined in the same hospital.

Ramel had been depressed after his brother filed a frustrated murder case against him over a hacking incident, according to his neighbors.