P2.5 M in reward money paid to tipsters – Bataoil

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP GENERAL OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union – The Region 1 Police Office awarded last year P25 million to individuals who had helped the police in apprehending most wanted criminals.

This was one of the accomplishments cited in the yearend report by Chief Supt. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Region 1 police director.

Bataoil said 1,386 persons were arrested in the region last year. They included one man who listed as top most wanted on the national level; eight on the regional; and seven on the provincial level.

General Bataoil said that last year, 37 criminal groups were busted. Sixty-nine of members of these groups, who were engaged in drug trafficking, robbery-holdup, and carnapping were arrested.

Usually, the Department of Interior and Local Government gives the reward money for information on most wanted criminals.

Private individuals also provide reward money for the apprehension of dreaded criminals.

Bataoil reported 375 policemen were recruited in Region 2 last year, and 575 personnel are undergoing training at the PNP regional training Center in Aringay town, La Union.

He said he has also caused the holding of 21 special courses and seminars which were designed to improve the skills of police personnel in the region.

Bataoil also deployed policemen to conduct teaching lessons in far-flung barangays that lack public school teachers.