POLICE ROUNDUP

 La Union kagawad shot dead in house

TUBAO, La Union -- A newly elected barangay kagawad of Poblacion here was shot dead 6: 20 a.m. Thursday.

Police Chief Supt. Romulo E Sapitula, PRO1 regional director, said the victim Nielo Figueroa Baltazar was on board his car parked in front of his residence when he was shot several times by unidentified suspects on board a white van.

Police said that Baltazar was linked to “Amang Drug Group” which operates in La Union.

He is also listed in the drug watch list as “pusher” in the municipality.

“Some members of the said drug group were arrested and some died in police operations,” Sapitula added.

The neighboring police stations were alarmed and directed to conduct dragnet operations for possible arrest of the suspects.

Sapitula directed his men to conduct thorough investigation. -- Liezle Basa Iñigo

Vehicle falls Apayao cliff; 2 cops injured 

CONNER, Apayao – Two cops were injured when the vehicle they were riding in fell down a ravine here July 21 around  7 p.m.

A police report said the white Tamaraw FX with plate UAK 133 was owned and driven by PO1 Jerson Manaoag Menzi, 25 of Mankayan, Benguet with passenger, PO1 Rommel Bunay Gumidam Jr, 25 of Poblacion, Kabugao.

Apayao both are presently assigned at Apayao Provincial Manuever Force Company based at Turayok, Buluan,Conner.

Investigation disclosed the victims went to buy mineral water at Segundo Store at Centro, Buluan in the town but the vehicle incurred mechanical defect making driver lose control over the steering wheel.

Menzi suffered injuries on his head and right arm while Gumidam suffered injuries on his head, face, chin and fracture on his right arm and chest.

Both victims were brought to Conner District Hospital for treatment. Menzi was transferred to St. Paul Hospital, Tuguegarao City while Gumidam was transferred to Divine Mercy, Tuguegarao City for further medical treatment.

NPA rebel surrenders

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- A regular member of the New People’s Army  A medical officer-underground organizer/recruiter from Kilusang Larangang Gerilya MARCO, Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee surrendered recently to the 54th Infantry Battalion and intelligence units under the Joint Task Force (JTF) “TALA”.

Lt. Col. Isagani G. Nato of the NOLCOM command public information’s office, said the NPA regular member also turned-over his high-powered service firearm to the authorities, an M14 Rifle bearing a Serial Number 1019174.

The personality, whose name was not disclosed, is currently undergoing custodial debriefing with different PNP and AFP units in Calanan, Tabuk, Kalinga.

Charges set vs farmer for raping daughter 

BUGUIAS, Benguet – Charges were prepared against a farmer for allegedly molesting and raping his daughter here.

The mother of the victim accompanied her minor daughter and reported at the police station here Monday that her daughter was raped by her 38-year-old husband.

The child narrated to her mother that her father sexually abused her inside their bedroom sometime in March 2017 when she was in grade 2 and again sometime in March 2018.

Accordingly, her father usually molested her early in the morning whenever her mother left them to work at La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post.

The victim was brought to Northern District Hospital in Bekes, Buyacaoan, Buguias, Benguet for medical examination.

Crim student nabbed for selling marijuana

STO. TOMAS, La Union – A fourth-year criminology student was arrested by authorities during a buy-bust operation here in Barangay Lomboy recently.

Police identified the suspect as Mark Anthony Salazar, 19, a resident of Barangay Sta. Rita, Agoo, La Union.

According to Sto. Tomas police station that Salazar was arrested for selling illegal drugs to an anti-narcotic agent who posed as a buyer in a buy-bust operation.

Seized from the suspect are 8 sachets of alleged marijuana and boodle money.

Suspects denied the accusation; he has been detained at the Sto. Tomas police jail station for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. -- Erwin Beleo

Laborer severely mauled at Chico River Bridge

BONTOC, Mountain Province – A laborer was mauled by a certain Normal Ola and several of his unidentified companions here at Chico River Bridge around 8 p.m. of July 20.

The victim identified as Francisco Ittang Paspas Jr, 36, married, laborer of Samoki, is now suffering severe headaches as a result.    

The victim’s mother Caroline Paspas, complained to police saying her son was mauled without any apparent reason by Ola’s group while on his way home from Poblacion.

The victim after the incident managed to go home and his mother seeing his son with a bleeding nose brought the victim to Bontoc General Hospital wherein he was admitted by his attending physician for multiple abrasion his body.

The victim was scheduled to undergo CT scan at Luis Hora Memorial Hospital in Bauko town.

A police report did not say if Ola and his companions were arrested.

5 nabbed in pot sessions in LU inns

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Five persons were arrested by authorities while engaging in a pot session inside a separate lodging inns at barangays Pagudpud and Catbangen here recently.

Supt. John Guiagui, San Fernando’s city police chief, identified two suspects arrested in Wil-Jan Inn at Barangay Pagudpud and these were Mark Angelo N. Zambrano, 21, single, employed as construction driver, Allan Pascual, 18, single, construction worker both residents of Barangay Taboc, San Juan, La Union.

Other three suspects arrested in Jasmine Lodge at Barangay Catbangen and these were John Jabonete, 31, a lending collector, Ronnie Ver Gaba, 35, a chef cook, and Jonathan Ornido, 20, a student. They were residents of barangays San Francisco and Santiago Norte, of San Fernando City, La Union respectively, while the student is from Barangay Taboc, San Juan, La Union.

Investigation showed that authorities from San Fernando City reported these establishments have alleged suspicious smell inside their premises.

Seized from these suspects are 5 pieces sachets of alleged shabu, 6 strips of aluminum foil with residues, 1 piece sachet marijuana fruiting tops, 2 pieces of improvised tooter, and several drug paraphernalia.

All suspects are now in the custody of San Fernando City police station for proper disposition. -- Erwin Beleo

2 NPAs surrender in Pudtol, Apayao

PUDTOL, Apayao -- Two members of the New People’s Army’s Milisyang Bayan  yielded to the authorities recently.

An alias “Sagana” 24, single and and Alvin Bantoc Santiago alias “El”, 20, single, both farmers and residents of Barangay Malibang here surrendered without firearms to Pudtol police and 17th Infantry Battalion (17IB). The two were debriefed.

Laid-off laborer mauls school building foreman

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Cops responded to a mauling incident here Monday around 7:30 p.m. at Mt. Province General Comprehensive High School where a laborer was mauled.

The victim, named William Petilo Emperador, 39, married, construction foreman of the ongoing school building construction and resident of Bue, Baccari, Paracelis town was brought to Bontoc General Hospital for treatment.

The victim revealed that he was on his way to the kitchen when suddenly and without any apparent reason one Raymond Tumalba, laid-off laborer of same construction firm as that of the victim and native of Kalackad, Tabuk City, Kalinga appeared from nowhere and strangled him on the neck, hurled him on the pavement and mauled him.

The suspect fled as responding police personnel arrived. The victim suffered abrasions, strangulation marks.

Drug suspect killed by cops

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan -- A drug suspect identified as Orko reportedly pulled out a gun after sensing he was dealing with undercover agents in San Jose del Monte City last week.

The suspect shot at the officers, triggering a firefight that resulted to his death, according to Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, acting provincial police director.

 2 miners surrender in ‘tokhang’ operation 

ITOGON, Benguet – Two small scale miners surrendered to police and admitted using marijuana during a “tokhang” operation here Monday around 6:30 p.m. their residence here n Binanga Sur, Tuding.

Surrenderees were named as Montecarlo Api-it Baranda, 28, married of 21, Binanga Sur and Jeric Francisco Arceo, 23.

Both told police they acquired marijuana from a certain Zar of Alphaville, Tuding. Police identified the suspect as a certain Zar Manuel Cayabyab Quizon VI who was arrested in a buy bust operation on June 25 in Alphaville.

Arceo and Baranda were released and told to appear before town police as part of their monitoring and evaluation when summoned

 Charges set vs b’gay official for slay threat  

SAN JUAN, Abra – Charges are being prepared against a barangay councilman here for threatening to kill a ship worker by pointing a rifle at the latter.

Victim Agnos Bosque Tamayo, 52, married, of Barangay Sabangan went Monday to San Juan police station saying around 10 p.m. of July 22, the suspect, his father in-law, Gorio Turqueza Talingdan, 52, of Barangay Tagaytay went in front of the house of the victim and pointed a rifle at the latter and saying in Ilocano “Apay nga agparpariri ka idiay balay? Patayen kan (Why are you complaining about the house? I will kill you).”

Investigation disclosed earlier around 8 a.m. that day, victim went to the house of the suspect to give money he received from his wife, Marjorie Talingdan Tamayo, an overseas worker.

He had a heated argument with the suspect and did not notice Talingdan followed him on his way home.

The victim disclosed the incident caused fear on his part because he believed the suspect was capable of doing what he said.

 Man, 67 commits suicide in Kapangan 

KAPANGAN, Benguet – A 67-year-old man reportedly committed suicide here Monday for still unknown reason. 

Town police with Kapangan Municipal Health Officer Dr. Lilian Laruan responded and identified the victim as Andrew Chan Tayaotao, 67, married, farmer, and resident here of Deckan, Paykek.

Investigation disclosed around 7 p.m. that day, a daughter of the victim, after coming from school, saw her father through the window of their house with a nylon cord tied around his neck. The cord was tied at the hook of the steel window.

She called the attention of neighbors and reported the incident to police.

Relatives refused to have the victim undergo autopsy because they believe the victim committed suicide because prior to the incident, he informed his daughter and family that he will commit suicide since he didn’t want them to suffer in rearing him because of his illness.

 Narcotics agents shoot dead drug suspect

MEYCUAYAN, Bulacan – A certain Daniel Gelicame, alias Alex, was shot dead when he fired at anti-narcotics agents here in Barangay Lawa, Meycauayan at around 6:15 p.m. on Monday.

Police said the fatality yielded seven sachets of shabu, a .38-caliber revolver and marked money.

6 nabbed in buy-bust operations

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union – Six suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in illegal drug activities in separate buy-bust operation by joint operatives from the PNP and PDEA Tuesday in San Fernando City, La Union.

Chief Insp. Silverio Ordinado Jr., La Union police information officer, identified the suspects as Stanley Ducusin, 21, resident of Barangay Lancuas, who was arrested in Barangay 2, while four other suspects arrested in Barangay San Agustin and they are Gerald Rilloraza, 22, Gil Garcia, 35, Jose Fontanos, 25, and Randolf Madayag, 29, all residents of Barangay Taberna, Bauang, La Union.

Seized from Ducusin were three sachets of alleged dried marijuana and P500 buy-bust money, while four suspects yielded three sachets of alleged shabu and P500 buy-bust money.

Meanwhile, a tricycle driver Rey Guzman, 38, was also nabbed in a buy-bust operation in Barangay San Pablo, Balaoan, La Union.

Seized from the suspect were two plastic sachets of suspected shabu and P500 buy-bust money. – Erwin Beleo

Farmer commits suicide in Ifugao

ALFONSO LISTA, Apayao – A certain Elmer Rivera Agasita, 45, married, farmer, reportedly committed suicide here on July 22.  

Investigation showed the victim was left by his family and neighbors around 8;30 a.m. while he was looking for herbicide.  Around 11 a.m. Joy Agasita, wife of the victim with their children arrived home from church and saw the victim lifeless kneeling against a bench inside their house with two wounds on his lower abdomen.

Interview conducted with the victim’s wife revealed her husband was known in the barangay as a mentally ill person and he always was saying he was useless to their family and it was better for him to die. 

Families and relatives of the victim were convinced the victim’s death was suicide with no foul play as there was no sign of violence as supported by findings of Dr. Laurice Guillen, Alfonso Lista health officer.

Police found an air gun converted to Cal. 22 believed used by the victim in killing himself.

Shabu, marijuana bricks seized

SAN FERNAMDO CITY, Pampanga -- Police recovered three sachets of shabu weighing 201.345 grams with an estimated street value of P1.3 million in a sting here on Monday.

The suspects were identified as Abdillah Omar, a resident of Dasmariñas, Cavite, and Mariam Baltao, Amenoding Amer and a 16-year-old of New San Jose, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Tarlac top fugitive nabbed

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Authorities arrested the second most wanted person of Victoria town, Tuesday morning in San Andres, Victoria, Tarlac.

Arrested was Jeffrey Cainglet y Tuquero, ranked No. 2 most wanted person of Victoria, 27 and resident of the town.

The warrant was issued by Judge Hon. Ramon Pamular of RTC Branch 63, Tarlac City for rape in relation to RA 7610 with no bail recommended.

The suspect is temporarily under the custody of Victoria police for proper disposition. -- Franco Regala

Gays fight it out in Abra disco bar 

BANGUED, Abra – A gay man was confronted here by another gay inside a ladies toilet which led to a confrontation and fistfight between screaming companions of the two. 

A police report said the incident recently happened around 12:30 a.m. at Chalix Disco Bar located here at Zone 5.

Investigation disclosed Willy Ragadio Villastiqui, 35, gay, went inside the comfort room for females to relieve himself when Gretchen Fructuso Valeros, 25, confronted him followed by a heated argument.

The altercation continued until they returned to their respective tables when suddenly one of the companions of Valeros named Carlo Balira Valeros, 38, gay, threw a bottle of beer towards Villastiqui's group who retaliated that turned to a fist fight.

As a result, Valeros sustained injuries on his left elbow and was rushed to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.

 Driver, minor survive Kabayan road crash

KABAYAN, Benguet – A young man and a minor were injured when they were pinned inside their vehicle after it hit a road parapet here around 11:50 a.m. recently in Soysoyan, Gusaran.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the area but found victims Frenson Bugtong Cosip, 15 and driver Junie Macario Sacpa Jr., 20 were already rescued by responding civilians.

The responding officers gave first aid before transporting them to the Rural Health Unit at Poblacion, Kabayan.  Investigation disclosed the white Mitsubishi Canter loaded with cabbage bearing plate number RDX 965, owned by Novery Macario Sacpa of Tawangan, Kabayan and driven by  Junie Sacpa Jr., was descending the road when its brakes malfunctioned.

The driver pulled the handbrake but it failed that prompted him to maneuver the said vehicle to the retaining wall but the vehicle continued to move until it bumped the road parapet. Both victims were pinned inside the said vehicle and sustained injuries due to the strong impact.

The injured victims were brought to Baguio General Hospital by Kabayan police for treatment.  The vehicle incurred undetermined cost of damage.

La Union farmer arrested for shabu

BACNOTAN, La Union – A 41-year-old farmer was arrested by authorities in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sapilang this town recently.

Police identified suspect as Jomar Halinaganan, single, a resident of Casiaman, Bacnotan, La Union.

Halinaganan was nabbed selling illegal drugs or shabu to anti-narcotic agent who posed as buyer in the buy-bust operation.

Seized from him were two heat sealed sachets of shabu and P500 buy bust money.

Halinaganan was detained at the Bacnotan police station for charges for violation of RA 9165 shall be filed against the suspect. -- Erwin Beleo

Cops nab bocap, 4 others for drugs

TUGUEGARAO CITY– A high-value target and four other drug personalities including a former barangay kagawad were arrested in separate police operations recently.

Police Regional Office 2 in its intensified campaign against illegal drugs nabbed Mark Obena, 20, electrician of Purok 2, Mabini, Santiago City for selling 1 pack of dried marijuana leaves weighing 600 grams to a PDEA agent who acted as a buyer.

Confiscated from the suspect was the buy-bust money.

Next to be arrested on the same day by Solana Police and PDEA Region 2 Southern Cagayan in buy-bust operation was Efren P Balubal, former barangay kagawad of Centro Northwest Solana, Cagayan, for selling one sachet containing suspected to be “shabu”.

The PNP also recovered one sachet containing shabu, the buy-bust money, 1 unit of black & white Honda XRM and one Cal. 38 loaded with 2 pieces live ammunition.

Meanwhile, three drug personalities were arrested in separate drug buy-bust operations in Cagayan Valley. Those arrested were identified as Bernardo Javier, 58, married, a resident of Rosario, Santiago City; Ariel Sabado, 29, married, construction worker, a resident of Centro, Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and Jerry Galande, 31, a resident of Brgy. Masoc, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Jose Mario Espino said a case for Violation of RA 9165 is now being prepared for filing against the suspects while another case for Violation of RA 10591 was filed against the arrested high-value target. -- Liezle Basa Iñigo

3 students nabbed for pot session

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Three male students were arrested for engaging in a pot session inside a lodging inn of this city at dawn here recently

Supt. John Guiagui, San Fernando’s city police chief, identified the suspects as Franz Jan T. Buncab, 19, HRM student; Patrick Ian L. Sibayan, 19, nursing student; and Paulo B. Cayago, 20, an electrical engineering student.

Guiagui said the suspects were newly identified drug personalities, who had checked-in at room 6 of Pearl Drive Inn along Gov. Luna St. Barangay 4, this city.

Joint operatives of San Fernando City police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the drug raid operation at about 1:45 a.m.

Confiscated from them were 4 sachets of shabu, 3 sachets of marijuana, 2 improvised pipes with burnt marijuana, 1 aluminum tooter, 2 strips of aluminum foil with residues, and other drug paraphernalia.

The suspects were subjected to medical examination and were placed under the protective custody of the city police station. -- Erwin Beleo

7 arrested for illegal firearms

BAGUIO CITY -- Seven persons, including five teenagers and a minor, were arrested in separate police operations in the highland provinces of Kalinga, Ifugao, and Benguet in a span of seven days, the police regional office reported.

Police Regional Office Cordillera director Chief Supt. Rolando Nana said the police will look into the extent of involvement of teenagers in illegal gun possession.

In a report released to the media, out of the seven arrested persons, five were teenagers, including a 16-year-old, which is considered a minor.

Five firearms of different calibers were seized from the suspects.

Nana said the lone 16-year-old minor was brought to the custody of the municipal social work office in Benguet province's capital town of La Trinidad.

He narrated that in the evening of July 7, the minor brought out his homemade Cal. 22 handgun out of frustration when the store owner refused to sell him alcoholic drinks. Fortunately, the store owner quickly grabbed the gun from the minor and called the police.

Arrested in Balbalan, Kalinga were Bernard Legaspi Velasco Jr., 19 and Kevin Dave Gammad Dalere, 18, after they were found in possession of caliber .45 Colt loaded with eight live ammunitions. Police flagged them down while on board a motorcycle without a plate number.

The two others, Arnolfo Domingo and Angelo Lamao Gunnawa, both 19 years old, were caught after a brief chase as they tried to evade operating units on the night of July 2 in Barangay Bulanao in Tabuk City.

Nana said the two sped away on a motorcycle after seeing policemen prompting the law enforcers to chase them. A Smith and Wesson caliber .38 loaded with five live ammunitions was seized from the two.

In Ifugao province, Jerry Baldino, 30, of Tinoc town and Domingo Natalac, 25, of Asipulo town, were intercepted in a checkpoint in front of the Lamut police station on the evening of July 3 while onboard a motorcycle. They yielded three guns -- a caliber .45 loaded with five live ammunitions, a magnum 22 loaded with three live ammunitions, and a caliber .38.

Nana said charges for illegal possession of firearms were filed against those nabbed.

In a text message, the Cordillera police chief urged those with unlicensed guns or firearms with expired licenses to surrender their guns to avoid being caught for violation of the firearms law, which is a criminal offense.

Nana also commended the personnel on the field for their anti-criminality efforts.

He directed all Philippine National Police units in the Cordillera Administrative Region to launch more operations against loose firearms. -- Dionisio Dennis Jr./PNA

 Police nab 3 drug peddlers in Angeles

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – PRO3 regional director Chief Supt. Amador V Corpus said three persons were nabbed and confiscated from them over P200K worth of shabu in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Angeles City during the weekend.

Operatives of the Angeles City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (ACPDEU) conducted buy-bust operation along Jake Gonzales St. (Shell gas station) Virgen Delos Remedios, Angeles City which resulted to the arrest of Anjo Muñoz.

Confiscated from Muñoz were seven pieces plastic sachet of shabu weighing more or less 55 grams with an estimated street value of P165,000.00; one blue pouch bag; one P1,000.00 marked money; and one light brown Honda City bearing plate Nr RGB 571.

Operatives of Police Station 5 conducted also buy bust operation at Nr 45 Maligaya St., Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City which resulted to the arrest of Herminio Yanga @ Tangi, 49 of said place and Robert Cayanan y Ocampo, 39, of Bagong Silang, Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City.

Confiscated from Yanga and Cayanan were eight small-size heated sachets of shabu with an estimated street value of P40,000,one empty small violet candy box; one pair of scissors, one bamboo stick; one empty fortune cigarette box; one disposable lighter and one bundle of unused transparent plastic sachets; two hundred peso bills and P500 marked money.

Cases for illegal drugs were filed against the suspects at the Angeles city Prosecutors Office. – Mar Supnad

 2nd most wanted person in Ilocos traced in Caloocan

CAMP GEN FLORENDO, La Union- After almost five years of hiding, the 2nd most wanted person among drug pushers was arrested Tuesday night in Caloocan City by police of Santiago, Ilocos Sur and Caloocan.

Senior Insp. Aristeo Tajon, chief of police of Santiago, Ilocos Sur, identified the fugitive as Renato Collado Tengsico, former president of Association of Barangay Captains and native of Poblacion Norte, Santiago town.

“We conducted the intelligence build-up until we were able to trace him in Caloocan city,” said Capt Tajon.

Tengsico was dubbed co-leader of the Tengsico-Cabreros criminal group which was engaged in illegal drugs in the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur.

Tajon said Tengsico was listed under PRRD Level 2, previously at-large for having been convicted for violation of Section 11 of RA 9165.

The report said that Tengsico, listed as one of the high value target of Ilocos Sur police and a resident of Barangay Poblacion Norte, Santiago, Ilocos Sur was caught off guard inside his rented apartment at Caldino Apartment, Block 1, Lot 28, 1st Street, Shelter Ville Subdivision, Barangay 171. Caloocan City when the government forces swooped down on his hideout.

His arrest was based on a warrant of arrest for being convicted for violation of Sec. 11 of RA 9165 issued by Judge Sixto Deompoc of RTC Br 72, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

Police said the case against the Tengsico stemmed from the anti-drugs operation conducted against the target on August 29, 2013 in the municipality of Santiago, Ilocos Sur that resulted in the confiscation of 11.456 grams of shabu from his possession, control and custody.

During the arrest, the following items were also seized: four sachets of shabu and one weighing scale. -- Mar Supnad