POLICE ROUNDUP

8 drug pushers fall in Cordillera buy-bust ops

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Eight persons including two minors were separately apprehended by police last week alleged for drug pushing in different parts of the region.

Christopher E. Biendima, 21, drug surrenderee, tricycle driver  was arrested at Zone 5, Bangued, Abra August 11 after reportedly selling illegal drugs to a police undercover agent who acted as buyer. Confiscated from his possession were sachet containing suspected shabu, P5,000 marked money; one Lenovo cellphone and motorcycle with plate number 3599 AY.

In another operation in Baguio conducted on August 10, two females identified as Mary June M. Palalay alyas MJ, 29, resident of San Luis Extension Purok 7, Baguio City and Maria Christine G. Layang, 34, of Asin Road km 4, were arrested at Purok 7, San Luis Ext., in the afternoon, while Razheed R. Alwahid, 36, disc jockey and resident of Aristotle St. Vista Verde Village Barangay San Jose Cainta Rizal was arrested in Poblacion, Bontoc, Mt. Province in the morning of same date. Items confiscated from the two females were three sachets of suspected shabu, P15,500,000 cash, another, P500.00 cash sunglass, and cell phone, while two dried marijuana stalks with leaves and fruiting tops, wrapped in a transparent plastic bag valued at P450,000.00 was confiscated from Alwahid.

Three other alleged drug peddlers were apprehended in Purok 6, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga identified as Rogelio B. Paot, 42, and a resident of Barangay Bugnay, Tinglayan, Kalinga, together with two high school minor students. Seized from their possession were 25 60ml bottles containing marijuana oil, buy-bust money, Cal. 45 pistol bearing with one magazine loaded with seven bullets, Honda XRM motorcycle and Nokia cellphone.

Meanwhile, Benros Johil Saldua Medrano, 21, criminology student and a resident of Cabildatan, Zone 7, Bangued, Abra was arrested August 9 at Linasin, Zone 1 in the capital town.

Reportedly seized from Medrano were one rolled paper and small plastic sachet containing dried marijuana leaves, Ph1,000 buy-bust money and 1 black iphone 4s.

All arrested persons are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, while the minors were taken custody by Welfare workers.

Anglican priest, Itogon driver hurt in accident

ITOGON, Benguet – An Anglican priest identified as David Bacate Tabo-oy was injured here Wednesday around 11:45 p.m., when his Isuzu Ertiga car and a Wrangler type jeep driven by Salvador Ciano  here of Bagto, Ucab collided at Bay-o, Tuding.

Investigation disclosed that the Isuzu Ertiga was bound to Baguio City when it collided with the Wrangler jeep bound to Itogon resulting in damages of both vehicles.

The driver of the Wrangler jeep who was under the influence of liquor was rushed to Baguio General Hospital for medical treatment after sustaining injuries while Fr. Tabo-oy was unhurt.

Couple found dead in motel parking lot

By Raymund Catindig

ROXAS, Isabela -- A couple was found dead in a pickup at a motel’s parking lot here in Barangay San Antonio Tuesday.

Police said the bodies of businessman Tomas Greycochia, 59, a widower, and Cristina Gragasin, 19, a saleslady, bore gunshot wounds. 

A 9mm pistol and two bullet shells were recovered in the vehicle.

Probers said the couple could be fighting that led to the shooting of Gragasin and suicide by Greycochia.

Lepanto school building burned

MANKAYAN, Benguet – A school building with three classrooms was razed to the ground here Wednesday around 8:45 p.m.

Personnel of Mankayan police and fire stations responded to the fire at Lepanto National High School in Barangay Paco. Investigation disclosed security guard Marvin Y. Binibise, noticed the fire started at the Grade 7 classroom then immediately spread burning all other classrooms of said building.  Fire out was declared out an hour later. Nobody was injured and the cause of fire and cost of damage is still to be determined.

Farmer held for rape in Lagawe

LAGAWE, Ifugao – A 56-year-old farmer was arrested here Wednesday for rape. Nabbed at Poblacion North was Peter Tayaban Nahiwan, of Barangay Tunggod. The arrest was after Romeo U. Habbiling, presiding judge of RTC Branch 14, 2nd Judicial Region, Lagawe issued warrant against Nahiwan with no bail recommended.

 Man nabbed for physical injuries

ITOGON, Benguet – Police arrested a certain Leonardo Potiacan Gabaen, 28, married here Wednesday at Batuang, Virac for physical injuries.

The arrest was made after Marietta S. Brawner-Cualing, Presiding Judge of RTC, Family Court for Benguet, 1st Judicial Region, La Trinidad, Benguet issued warrant against him.

The judge set bail of P3,000 for Gabaen’s temporary liberty.

3-storey house in Baguio burned

BAGUIO CITY – A 3-storey house owned by a certain Jose D. Ammog-as was burned here Tuesday starting 3:40 p.m.

Police and fire personnel responded to the fire at No. 750 Panta St. wherein 2-year-old Pauleen A. Langgato was injured and rushed to Baguio General Hospital.

Investigation disclosed Ammog-as was at the first floor of their house leaving their grandchildren at the third floor watching TV when he discovered the incident.  Firemen declared the fire out at 4:10 p.m. Cause of fire and cost of damage is still to be determined.

 Van falls off Ifugao ravine: driver killed

TINOC, Ifugao – The driver of a van was killed when the vehicle fell down a ravine here Tuesday around 4 p.m. at Sitio Gaday, Barangay Eheb.

Police identified the victim as Wilson T. Batang-e Jr., saying the Delica van with plate no. URN 533 fell down the ravine some 5000 meters from the road.

Investigation revealed the ill-fated vehicle lost its brakes resulting to the accident.

 Soil erosion forces families to evacuate 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Soil erosion affected houses here Wednesday at Barangay Ambiong forcing families living there to evacuate. Erosion started around 2:40 a.m. making police go to the area. Affected families of Weddy Tacio Aquien and Renee Talledo Milanes were evacuated at nearby Osting Compound.

Man held in Tabuk for drugs

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A man was arrested by police here Tuesday around 9 a.m. at Purok 6, Barangay Bulanao for illegal drugs.

Nabbed was Ricky A. Balway after warrant for his arrested was issued against him by Judge Jerson E. Angog of RTC, Branch 25, Tabuk City with bail set at P60,000.

Violence leads to Atok man’s arrest

ATOK, Benguet – A certain Francis M. Laoyan was arrested here Tuesday at Barangay Topdac for violation of Republic Act 9262 (violence against women and children).

This, after warrant was issued against him by Judge Marietta S. Brawner-Cualing of RTC, Branch 9, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The juidge set bail of P72, 000 for Laoayan’s temporary liberty.

 Man held in Baguio City for violence 

BAGUIO CITY -- A man was arrested here Tuesday around 6:30 p.m. at no. 437 Purok 4, Balsigan for violation of Republic Act 9262 (violence against women and children).

Nabbed was Brally B. Pilis after Judge Marietta S. Brawner-Cualing of RTC, Branch. 9, La Trinidad, issued warrant against him  and setting bail of P40, 000 for his temporary liberty.

Kagawad shot to death in farm 

PIDIGAN, Abra – A barangay kagawas was shot to death here inside a nipa hut in his farm August 11 around 9 a.m. by a still unidentified gunman. Police identified the victim as Rey Dela Cruz, saying the incident happened here at Barangay Immuli.

6 foreigners robbed of expensive gadgets, cash

BAGUIO CITY – Six foreigners were robbed of their belongings here August 11, around midnight to dawn at No. 4 Apostol Street, Gibraltar.

The victims were identified as Ruben Paul Jacque Philippe Chaumont, 31 and Lea Eliane Klein, 27, both French; Prashant Kala, 33, Varun Kumar Doripally Mallesh, 26, and Kaushal S Shetty, 29, Indian nationals and Anna Dvorakova, 28 of Czech Republic.

Investigation disclosed the victims were sleeping when unidentified suspects forcibly entered their room using the main door and carted the following items: Samsung Galaxy cell phone Note 5 worth P13,000, four MacBook laptops, Iphone,  kindle electronic device worth P9, 000, passport, two driver’s licenses, two wrist watches P8,000 cash.

 Man arrested in Mankayan for rape

MANKAYAN, Benguet – A man was arrested here August 11 at Barangay Bedbed by police. Nabbed was Jade D. Sakil after Judge Daniel D. Mangallay of RTC, Branch 64, Abatan, Buguias, Benguet issued warrant against him with no bail recommended.

 BJMP vehicle damaged in Halsema accident

ATOK, Benguet – A Mitsubishi FB vehicle issued to BJMP, Buguias while travelling south sideswiped a concrete riprap as it passed sharp curve. The driver and his passengers were not injured, however, the vehicle incurred damages of undetermined amount. A police report said the accident happened August 11around 12:50 p.m. along km 22, Barangay Caliking. The Mitsubishi FB with plate No. G-445 was driven by JO1 Allen M Agusto

Painter nabbed for Rape in Naguillan

NAGUILLAN, La Union – A 48-year-old painter was arrested here August 8, at Barangay Daramuangan for rape. Nabbed was Roy Castillo Hulaton, married and resident of the place after Judge Ivan Kim V. Morales of RTC, Branch 59 Baguio City issued warrant against him with no bail recommended.

 Manila cops trace slay suspect in Bangued

BANGUED, Abra – Cops from Metro Manila and Quezon City followed a welder wanted for murder in said places and nabbed the suspect here August 8 at Barangay Cabuloan. Nabbed was Eric De Pedro Sonio, 40, married, welder after Judge Evelyn Corpus-Cabochan of RTC Branch 98, National Capital Judicial Region, Quezon City issued warrant agaiosnt him with no bail set.

 Trike driver lands in jail for assaulting person in authority

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A tricycle driver was arrested here at Purok 4, Bulanao on August 8 after being charged for assaulting a person in authority.

The suspect was identified as Edwin Lastimosa Agod, 41, married, resident of the place after warrant was issued against him by Judge Nympha Abbacan of MTCC, 2nd Judicial Region, Tabuk City. The judge set bail of P12,000 for Lastimosas’s temporary liberty.

Baguio bizman held for estafa

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A businessman identified as  Kenneth Saltin Maday-a, 35 was arrested here August 8 along  km.3 Barangay Balili for estafa.

A police report said the suspect, a resident of Ridge Gate, Camp 7, Baguio City was earlier issued a warrant by Judge Jorge S. Manaois Jr. of Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, Branch 10, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The judge set bail of ₱300,000 for the suspect’s temporary liberty.

 Woman nabbed for bouncing checks

BAGUIO CITY – A woman was arrested here at Justice Hall for bouncing checks August 8. Nabbed was Ana Mae Monton Daping, 31, married, native of Saddle, Kibungan, Benguet and  resident at Purok 1, Dontogan, Baguio City.  This, after Judge Maria Clarita Casuga-Tabin of MTCC Branch 4, Baguio City issued warrant agiasnt her setting bail of P3,000 for her temporary liberty.

 4 die in Pampanga shootouts with cops

By Ric Sapnu

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- Two suspected gunrunners were killed in an alleged shootout with police officers in a sting here in Barangay San Juan on Tuesday.

Police said the suspects drew their guns when they sensed they had sold a caliber .22 revolver to an undercover agent.

Two caliber .45 pistols, five sachets of shabu and a Nissan Almera (NAI-2750) were reportedly recovered from the fatalities.

Also in Pampanga, two robbery suspects who have yet to be identified were killed when they allegedly refused to pull over at a checkpoint in Barangay Moras dela Paz, Sto. Tomas and fired at police officers.

Police said they put up a checkpoint after the alleged victim of the suspects sought assistance.

 Girl, 14, dies of Jap encephalitis in P’sinan

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan — A 14-year-old girl died of Japanese encephalitis, a rare mosquito-borne disease, in this  province on August 10..

Jasmine Prestoza, a resident of Barangay San Vicente here, was confined for four days at the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City for suspected dengue after she experienced headache, fever and muscle pain, among other symptoms, provincial health officer Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman said.

The provincial health office said it coordinated with health authorities in Tarlac, where the girl studied, to determine if there are other students afflicted with Japanese encephalitis.

De Guzman said Prestoza is the first fatality due to Japanese encephalitis in Pangasinan.