POLICE ROUNDUP

 Trike, motorbike collide; kagawad, 2 drivers hurt 

SABLAN, Benguet – A barangay kagawad was seriously hurt including drivers of a motorcycle and tricycle which collided here around 8:20 a.m. on July 7.

Town police Master Sgt. Wilfredo P. Sabas said the accident happened here at Monglo Bayabas involving motorcycle owned and driven by Ismael Gacayan Oliver Jr., 42, married, businessman of 115 Navy Base Baguio and tricycle  owned and driven by Velasco Otong Anacioco, 55, married, of Bayabas.

Investigation disclosed both were ascending to Baguio City when the driver of the tricycle maneuvered to the opposite lane but the motorcycle suddenly bumped the tricycle.

Because of the impact, the tricycle fell side down on the road while the motorcycle fell on the pavement.

Both Sabas and Oliver were injured including the passenger of the tricycle identified as Marlon Tongay Mariano, 47, barangay kagawad and resident of Amocao Bayabas.

They were brought at Sablan Municipal Health Office for treatment. The motorcycle and the tricycle incurred damages with still undetermined cost of damages. The case is still under investigation.

 Motorcycle thief caught by owner

BAGUIO CITY – A motorcycle thief was caught by the owner while trying to steal a vehicle here along Marcos Highway in front of the Pure Gold establishment around 1:30 a.m. on June 8. Mark Gill Caspillo Go, 30, married, businessman of Santo Nino Bengao, Bakakeng Central told police he caught Marvin Santo G. Domingo while the act.

Investigation disclosed around 6:15 p.m. of June 7, Go parked his motorcycle in front the Floor Center establishment and went to his bar called 3 Angels. The complainant together with his companion later boarded a taxi when he noticed that his motorcycle was already in front of Pure Gold Marcos Highway, Baguio City being pushed and boarded by the suspect. He got down from the taxi, accosted Domingo and turned him over to responding police.  

3 students drown along Agno River 

ITOGON, Benguet – Three students drowned here when they went swimming at Agno River here along in Sitio Calew, Dalupirip around 9 a.m. on June 7.

Victims were identified as Kyla Mae D. Fernandez, Grade 9; Dickzy Mae M. Catos, Grade 7, both of Ansipsip, Kayapa and Angel Hernandez, Grade 9, of Quirino Province, all students of the Blessed His Place Academy Inc. at Dalupirip.

Police investigation disclosed while swimming, one of the students was drowned prompting her two companions to rescue her but due to lack of knowledge in swimming, they all drowned.

Members of the barangay rescue team, personnel of Itogon officials and police retrieved the unconscious bodies of the victims and brought them to Itogon District Hospital in Sitio Kireng, Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet for treatment but were declared dead on arrival by Dr. Roselyn M. Saley.

The victims’ bodies were brought to the Bless His Place Academy Inc. for interment.

SSgt. Byran M. Dintan, local police said around 10:40 a.m. that day, a call from 911 Manila was received by Itogon police saying a certain Joshua Abareco called their office informing them three girls drowned at a creek at Sitio Calew, Dalupirip.

Immediately, Itogon police called Dalupirip barangay captain Paul Camantiles who confirmed the incident.

Camantiles said the victims were visitors of a certain Pastora Andiza Bautista who was a resident of Calew.

Call center agent nabbed for violence grave threats

BAGUIO CITY – A call center agent was arrested after he slapped a man and threatened others of killing them in a drinking spree here at No. 50 DPS Compound on June 9 around 2 am.

Complainants were Kevin Capistrano Castaneda, 28, single; Elizabeth Capistrano Castaneda, 61, married, businesswoman; Lilibeth Tiongson Castaneda, 41, single; and Russel Reverente Licuanan, 21, single all residing at the house.

All lodged complaint against Jon Martin Castaneda Doria, 34, single, here of Lower Quirino Hill.

A police report said Doria had a drinking spree inside the victim’s house. He got drunk and slapped the face of Licuanan then threatened to kill them by brandishing a bottle of Red Horse beer. Victims tried to pacify the suspect but instead of heeding their advice, he continued threatening the complainants and broke their jalousie windows amounting to P9, 000 prompting them to call police who arrested Doria.

2 Sudanese, plumber nabbed for shabu, MJ

BAGUIO CITY – Two Sudan nationals and a plumber were arrested by lawmen around 1:45 p.m. on June 9 here at Paatan Boarding House, Barangay Upper San Vicente.

Police, Drugs and Bureau of Investigation personnel nabbed  suspects after Judge Mia Cawed of RTC Branch 61 issued warrant against Sami S. Osman, 26, student of University of Cordilleras; Mohamad Ali, 27 and Dan Hill Calibuso, 29,  plumber here of No. 49, Marcos Highway.

Allegedly found in the suspects’ possession were 14 sachets containing shabu, weighing scale, sachet containing marijuana leaves and seeds a roll of silver foil and lighters.

The search was reportedly witnessed by Charles Limon of Bombo Radyo, Punong Barangay Luis of San Vicente and Marlyne Paatan, owner of the house.

Farmer nabbed for frustrated murder

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A farmer was arrested here on June 6 for frustrated murder. Arrested was Henry Barcena Ilong, 66, married, here of San Francisco, Dagupan West.

The suspect was nabbed at his residence following warrant issued against him by Judge Jerson E. Angog of RTC, 2nd Judicial Region, Branch 25,  Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga who set bail of P200,000 for his temporary liberty.

Baguio bizman nabbed for estafa

BAGUIO CITY – A businessman was arrested here June 7 for estafa after Judge Maria Ligaya-Itlong-Rivera ordered his arrest while setting bail of P200,000 for his temporary liberty. Nabbed was Melvin Keiff Cambe Roca, 29, single, who was nabbed in his residence here at Maria Basa, Kalye Pogi.

Farmer nabbed for lasciviousness

PINUKPUK, Kalinga – A farmer was arrested here at Barangay Limos on June 7 for acts of lasciviousness after a judge issued warrant for his arrest. Nabbed was Elvis Mangawit Dimas, 31 of Sitio Mammit, San Mariano, Lallo, Cagayan.

Neljoe A Cortes, acting presiding judge of 2nd Judicial Region, Branch 25, Tabuk City, Kalinga who issued warrant set bail of P120,000 each for two counts of lasciviousness.

Bizwoman loses P17-k cash, valuables to thieves  

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A businesswoman lost her cash and valuables worth around P17,000 when thieves into her establishment night of June 6.

SSgt. Jolly B. Dawaton identified the victim as Lugenia Balao Nitron, 39, married of Atok town.

Dawaton said Nitorn narrated she left her  Swordfish Access Store located here at JC 112 Km 5 Pico La Trinidad, Benguet  around 9 p.m. on June 6 and went back around  6 a.m. the next day.

She noticed the roll-up door was partly open and when they checked inside, they found out cabinet drawer where P1,500 cash was placed was opened that prompted them to report the incident to police.

Investigation disclosed the suspect gained entry by destroying the padlock of the roll-up door and used it as exit. Aside from the cash, the culprit/s stole a P1,000 cellphone with P9, 637 worth of Globe load and Sun Cellular load of P565.

Also stolen was an Apple iPad mini worth P14, 000. No fingerprints were lifted from the crime site. A nearby CCTV camera was viewed by police but results were not out at press time.

Man severely mauls sister-in-law in Kalinga

RIZAL, Kalinga – A woman who just arrived from Manila was severely mauled by her brother in law here around 8:20 a.m. on June 7.

A police report by Sgt. Marietta Gayudan said Soledad Gellada Wania, 34, was mauled by her brother-in-law identified as John Dale Gapuz Wania.

Investigation disclosed the victim found their house locked which prompted her to proceed to the suspect’s house located nearby to ask if he has the key left by her family members, instead, Wania uttered unsavory words that resulted into heated argument.

Wania allegedly repeatedly punched the victim’s face and other parts of her body until she fell to the ground. A relative of the victim’s husband pacified Wania who left when neighbors arrived.

Police are still searching Wania. 

Baguio records 42% drop in index crimes

BAGUIO CITY -- The crime volume in the city is on a steady decline, particularly index crimes, which declined by 42 percent, over one year and four months, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) reported.

“What is notable in this decrease is the emphasis on the reduction of index crimes, from 703 in 2017 to only 409 in 2018, a statistical decrease of 294 incidents or 42 percent, or almost half,” Col. Allen Rae Co, acting BCPO director, said during the flag-raising ceremony here Monday.

Co added that from January to April, there was a 16 percent reduction, or 22 incidents, in index crimes.

Index crimes are crimes against property, such as theft, robbery, and car theft; as well as crimes against persons, such as homicide, murder, rape, and physical injuries.

Co said the crime volume from January to April dropped by 27 percent to 834 from 1,150 cases in the same period last year.

He said that in 2017, a total of 3,478 crimes were recorded in Baguio City compared to 3,313 in 2018.

“The bulk of incidents recorded fell under the vehicular traffic accidents, of which there were nine homicide cases, 394 physical injuries, and 1,757 damage to property due to reckless imprudence,” Co said.

“This manageable crime situation is a jumpstart to an even more peaceful and productive Baguio as each one of us gives their full support to our campaign against illegal drugs," he added.

Co said index crimes and crimes in general have a direct relation to the illegal drugs problem, hence the unrelenting effort to rid the streets of users and pushers.

 “With the mandate that there is no letting up in the campaign against illegal drugs, the BCPO sustained its pursuit of drug personalities in the city, resulting in the arrest of 74 personalities in violation of the anti-illegal drugs law in 2018,” he said.

A total of 2.48 kg of shabu was confiscated with six drug personalities arrested, two of them high-value targets.

Co said the city remains the sixth safest city in Southeast Asia but is moving forward to achieve the target of becoming the safest city in the Asian region. --PNA