MORE NEWS, PANGASINAN

Slippers lead to arrest of rapist in slay of girl
By Jerry Padilla

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan – Police arrested last week the suspect in the rape-slay of a four-year old girl in Barangay Langiran here, following clues particularly slippers left at the crime scene by the suspect that led lawmen and the barangay captain to conduct relentless manhunt for the suspect’s capture.

Supt. Tommy Cabigas, police chief here told newsmen told newsmen suspect Jose Ramos was arrested by joint elements of the local police and Valenzuela City Police Station evening of May 1.

Ramos went into hiding after he raped Juliet Ramos and killed her by strangulating and dumping her in an abandoned septic tank on April 10.

Ramos left his slippers at the crime scene and his wife admitted it was his. This led policemen to conduct manhunt operations from as far as Cavite where some of Ramos’ relatives reside.

Cabigas said Barangay Captain John Manabat received a feeler for the surrender of Ramos who went into hiding for almost a month.


Pangasinan councilor’s brother shot to death

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan – The brother of a town councilor and his companion were gunned down inside a carnival games area noon Saturday in Rizal Avenue this town by four helmet-wearing suspects who used .45 caliber guns.

The fatalities were identified as Jose Moulic Jr. alias Jojo, 47, resident of de Guzman St. here who was also the brother of Villasis town Councilor Judith Moulic-Morden. Jojo was the son of retired police Colonel Jose Moulic Sr.

His companion, Wilson Abalon, 27, of Barangay Salay this town was also shot dead.
Police investigation showed the four suspects rode in tandem separately on motorycles and shot the victims several times in different parts of their body.

Witnesses said the victims were playing tong-its when the suspects arrived.
Moulic and Abalon were rushed by responding police elements to the Medical Centrum in Dagupan City but were pronounced dead on arrival by their attending physician.

Moulic and Abalon sustained 11 and six gunshot wounds respectively. – Jennelyn Mondejar


'Smuggling in the country reached alarming level'
By Jennelyn Mondejar

CALASIAO, Pangasinan – Smuggling in the country has alarming levels, “an incurable stage,” according to Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr., Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group chief.

Speaking before his provincemates May 3 during the town fiesta here, Villar said,” Because of rampant smuggling, kung tutuusin compared to cancer nasa stage na ito na it’s very incurable already.”

He said this was the reason why President Arroyo created the PASG to curtail smuggling which is composed of composite teams from various law enforcement agencies and other government agencies active in the campaign against smuggling.

“PASG is trying to cure the incurable disease,” Villar said, adding concerted efforts must be given to cure smuggling.

“I am not a superman to stop smuggling. It takes concerted efforts to curtail it,” he said, adding before he entered politics as a very young mayor then at age 23, he worked with the Customs that made him aware of wrongdoings of some people there.

Quoting a report from the Finance department, Villar said because of smuggling, the government has been losing around P65 billion yearly.

But he added the International Monetary Fund report placed the losses at P125 billion. He said these amounts could already make several projects for the underprivileged Filipinos.