POLICE ROUNDUP

5 Abra PAG members surrender to police

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet  - Five  Private Armed Group (PAG) members surrendered last week in Abra even as two guns were turned in.

Police Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong, regional police director, received the PAG members belonging to the Perfecto  Purugganan Group operating in Abra and other adjacent provinces in region 1 Wednesday afternoon in Bangued, Abra.

Magalong identified the PAG members as Edwin O’Reilly Manaois; Amante Angeles Labasan; Amante Sagario Labasan Jr.; Kinsley BellezaSingson; and Renato Bonete Sequera, all resident of Langiden, Abra.

Members of the Abra Peace Convenor's Group; political leaders and media personalities witnessed the surrender of PAG members to police officials which included Magalong; Senior Supt. Benjamin M. Lusad, Abra provincial director; lawyer Mae Richelle B. Belmes, Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) and Pastor Francis Sanchez.

Meanwhile barangay captain ArtemioDonato of Baac, Langiden town turned over 2 pistols – a Cal. 38 and Cal. 45.

 The 5 PAG members are now at the Abra provincial police office for profiling and background investigation.

Police Kalinga arrest man for illegal lumber

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Police in coordination with Department of Environment and Natural Resources officers arrested a man here at a checkpoint Monday afternoon for transporting 476 board feet of assorted illegal lumber at Sitio Bacras, Bulanao.

Senior Supt. John Culinio, provincial lpolice director identified the suspect as Santiago Cayangao Cadchao here of SitioNasgueban, Barangay Appas.  

Personnel of the Kalinga Provincial Public Safety Company  nabbed Cadchao when he was not able to produce documents for the 25 pieces sawn lumber found in his passenger jeep.

Members of the CENRO, Tabuk City estimated the value of the lumber as P14, 280.00. Cadchao, together with the seized vehicle and confiscated lumber, were brought to the KPPSC Office as a case was prepared for filing against him in court.

Boat capsizes in Apayao River; 3 missing, 9 rescued

KABUGAO, Apayao -- Nine people were rescued in the water, but three others remain missing after their motorized banca capsized while crossing the Apayao River here in Sitio Lubbong Binuan, Barangay Poblacion.  Oct. 12.

Police identified the missing boat passengers as spouses Crispin and NoralynTalosig and Haydee Talosig Bunay, all residents of Barangay Bolo, Kabugao, Apayao.

The accident happened as the river current raged as a result of Typhoon “Santi.”

In a separate incident in Ilocos Norte, two fishermen reported missing at the West Philippine Sea at the height of typhoon Santi were rescued late afternoon of Oct. 13.

The boat carrying fishermen JulitoBacor, 44, and Dennis Obrero, 49, both of Barangay Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, failed to return that morning after encountering engine trouble.

They were spotted by another vessel and helped to shore.

Police said the fishermen had ignored the warning of authorities against violent seas during the typhoon.

Village chief in Abra murdered

BANGUED, Abra -  A village chief of the capital town of Bangued in Abra was murdered Monday night.

Raymund Bustamante Evangelista, 42, barangay chairman of Sinapangan, in Bangued was shot by his villagemate, a certain BertoBelisario at around 6:15 Monday night along Purruganan St., Zone 6, in the said town.

Bangued town police said Belisario invited the village chief to their house to talk about some matters.

However, when the victim together with a certain Melchor Yves Sibayan was on their way to the suspect’s house, they were met with gunfire.

The barangay chief was immediately killed while Sibayan was able to flee unhurt.

Police said the firearm used was a caliber 45.

Sources claim that the village chief was an ally of former mayor Ryann Luna, who was ousted from his post before the May 2013 polls after a court ordered his arrest over the murder of a political bet in the 2010 polls.

Luna has fled and has not been arrested by police since then.

Less than a week before the barangay chairman’s killing Monday night, another Abrenian was murdered.

At 7:30 Tuesday evening Oct. 8 in barangay Cabaroan, Tayum town, 62-year-old farmer Crisencio Molina was shot by still unnamed gunmen over a supposed tiff about an irrigation system.

The victim was irrigating his rice field when he met the two suspects and confronted him. 

The victim insisted that it was his schedule to water his rice field but the suspects got irked and shot the victim.

A day before that, 45-year-old tricycle driver Elmer Ermino Galera was killed by gunmen while unloading his passengers in barangay Sagap, Bangued.

Cops probing murder of Pangasinan granny

MANGATAREM, Pangasinan — Probers are digging deeper into the murder of a 69-year-old grandmother who was gunned down Oct. 10 near the Our Lady of Fatima Groto in Barangay Zamora corner Roxas Streets, here.

Police have the description of the assailant who shot Perla Corpuz Sabares, a widow and resident of Barangay Zamora, three times with a .45-caliber pistol at 6 a.m. of Oct. 10.

A policeman privy to the investigation but declined to be identified said a man in his early 30s is being hunted for the attack possibly linked to a land dispute.

13 wanted persons nabbed in Cordillera  

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Thirteen wanted persons were recently arrested in the Cordillera  of which six were listed as top most wanted persons (TMWP).

Joint personnel of Sallapadan and Boliney town police arrested the No. 1 TMWP in the municipality in SitioBaquigen, Barangay Poblacion, Sallpadan all in Abra.

The suspect was identified as Randy Blanco, 35 of Barangay Maguyepyep who was charged with rape and child abuse.

Meanwhile, a 41-year- old man wanted for multiple crimes voluntarily surrendered to Senior Supt. Benjamin Lusadat the Provincial Capitol of Bangued, Abra through Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin.  

He was identified as Victoriano De Paul Bodoña of Barangay Calot, Bangued.

Belmonte has standing warrants of arrest for multiple attempted murder , three counts of  frustrated murder, violation of Commission on Elections Resolution all issued by Judge Jaime L. Dojillo. Judge Corpuz B. Alzate issued the arrest warrant against Bodona for the Comelc violation.

Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Rodolfo Azurin, Benguetprovincial police director, reported the arrest of two of Benguet’s TMWP.

The no.1 TMWP charged for child abuse identified as Ruben Tinay, 44, farmer of SitioPalew, CapongaTublay, Benguet was arrested in SitioSangilo, Camp 4, Tuba, also in the province.

Simeon Bautista, 51, miner, was also nabbed in Barangay Virac, Itogon, Benguet being the no. 7 TMWP in the municipality for theft.

In Baguio City, Senior Supt. Jesus Cambay, city police chief identified three arrested personalities listed as  TMWP.

Charged for violation of anti-bouncing check law was Analyn Bao-idang and Roberto Mabalot, both from Baguio City who were arrested in Phil-am, BGH Compound, Baguio City.

Glenn Culimay, 29, was nabbed in Bonifacio St, Baguio for estafa.

On the other hand, six wanted persons were arrested separately – Antonio Sabaway aka Akkap,60, for rape; ApolinarioIlayat, 44, for frustrated homicide ; Masaoay Bisquerra, 26, for reckless imprudence resulting tohomicide and damage to property ; Lloyd Mateo,29, for attempted murder and theft; Asuncion Maria Theresa , 51, for child abuse ; Lora Sicangco for esstafa and Francisco Gallasic, 54, for violation of Presidential Decree 705. 

Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong, regional police director said all wanted persons with arrest warrants will be accounted for.

Armed men torch buses

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan   – Authorities remain clueless on identity of five armed men who set two buses on fire at the Five Star Bus terminal in Barangay Tempra Guilig here night of Oct. 5.

Probers said they are still investigating the case to identify suspects and motive of the incident, according to PO 2 Frederick Senin.

Reports said the armed men arrived at the terminal with containers of gasoline and disarmed security Bernardo Gombio, 42, of Mangaldan town.

Investigators recovered four burnt plastic containers and a lighter from the scene.         

Lawmen nab 2 men for illegal drugs in Tabuk

TABUK CITY, Kalinga,  --  Police operatives from the Kalinga Police Provincial Office  and Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group apprehended  two  persons while attempting to transport five bricks of dried marijuana plants here last week.

Senior Supt. John Colinio, acting provincial police director said the suspects were  nabbed while entering an eatery in the vicinity of the White Carabao Marker at Bulanao, this city.

According to Colonio,  the arrest was carried out from information that buyers of marijuana bricks checked out from Laoagan’s Inn, Bulanao Norte on board a Blue XRM motorcycle and were transporting illegal drugs.

Acting on information received from sources,  Senior Insp.Ceasar D. Sab-it, acting company commander of the 3rd Regional Public Safety Battalion immediately coordinated with Colinio and dispatched teams who traced location of the subjects.

“When accosted and frisked, police found five marijuana bricks in separate backpacks of the suspects”, Colonio said. 

In the inventory made witnessed by members of the media, prosecution and elected officials, confiscated pieces of evidence were:  five bricks of marijuana dried plants, four cell phones, three back packs, lighters, one roll of aluminum foil, 15 pieces of empty sachets and the motorcycles used  as transport.

Sab-it said these submitted to the Kalinga provincial crime laboratory for examination while cases were filed agaisnt the suspects for illegal drugs. -- Peter A. Balocnit and Loren Moron

Two NPA guerillas surrender to army

LICUAN, Baay, Abra – Two New People’s Army guerillas recently surrendered with firearms to troops of 41 Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army under Lt. Col. Danilo R. Domingo here at Sitio Masisiat, Barangay Tumalip.

Regie H. Go, information officer of the 41st IB identified the alleged NPA members as Eric Annibanalyas “Ka Wally”, of So Nagpaoyan, Barangay SubaganLicuan and Edwin Cattris “Ka Allan”, of Daga, Conner, Apayao. 

They reportedly surrendered Sept. 29 and Oct. 3 respectively.

Anniban,surrendered an M16 rifle.  Prior to his surrender he was operating in Malibcong, Bucloc, Sallapan and Daguioman all of Abra.

Cattris, also surrendered an M653 rifle.  Go said prior to his surrender he was the NPA’s logistics officer operating in Southern Cagayan.

The two former rebels underwent medical checkup at Abra Provincial Hospital, Bangued, Abra.

The Philippine Red Cross –Abra Chapter under  James Laygo, provided additional clothes and other personal items for them.

At present the two former rebels are still in custody of 41st IB for debriefing and will undergo process for Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) locally known as “Kabsat KoIpateg ko Program” (KIP) and AFP Guns for Peace Program (AFPGPP).

Go said the 41st IB under LTC Danilo R. Domingo will continue local peace initiatives in partnership with the LGU and stakeholders to bring rebels back to mainstream society.

Ex-Isabela village chief out to regain post shot dead

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela – Police are still trying to identify men who shot to death a  former village chief planning to regain his post in the Oct. 28 barangay polls who was killed in an ambush here night of Oct. 5, authorities said.

Supt. Paul Bometivo, Isabela police spokesman, said Estelito Clarin, 45, former chairman of Barangay Carabatan Punta in Cauayan City, was headed home on his motorcycle from a drinking spree with friends when he was shot with M-16 Armalite rifles.

Clarin’s wife Anabel said she was not aware of any motive behind her husband’s slay, except for his decision to regain his former position.—Raymond Catindig

Farmer shot dead in Abra town

TAYUM, Abra -- A 62-year-old farmer was murdered a few days ago by gunmen here in  barangay Cabaroan.

Police said Crisencio Molina was shot by still unnamed gunmen over a supposed tiff over an irrigation system.

The victim was reportedly irrigating his rice field when he met the two suspects who confronted him. 

The victim insisted that it was his schedule to water his rice field but the suspects got irked and shot the victim repeatedly.

Four bullets were pumped into the farmer’s body.

Two used cartridges of caliber .45 were found at the site of the shooting.

On Monday afternoon,   another shooting incident occurred in barangay Sagap, Bangued, Abra’s capital town,  where 45-year-old tricycle driver Elmer Ermino Galera was killed by gunmen while unloading his passengers in the said village.

Police are now hunting down brothers Larry Galera, 37 and Lebert, 31,  who  are the suspects for Galera's murder.

Policemen found one fired empty shell of cal. 5.56 and two fired empty shells of cal. 45.

PMA chief awards Cordillera policemen  

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- The 55th superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Vice Admiral Edgardo Ladrigo Abogado and staff recently visited the police regional office here as part of the command’s Distinguished Visitors Program.

Regional police director Chief Supt. Benjamin B. Magalong, with Command Group assisted Abogado in awarding five police personnel.

Recognized were Senior Supt. Ernesto D. Gaab, chief of the regional Intelligence Division; Supt. Lambert A. Suerte, company commander of the Benguet Public Safety Company and PO2 Erwin M. Balbalin.

They were awarded the MedalyangKagalingan ( Medal of Merit) for “neutralization” of New People’s Army personalities; while SPO3 Gilbert O. Anselmo and SPO1 Fritz M. Tolito were awarded the MedalyangPapuri (Commendation Medal) for arrest of other wanted persons.

In his message, Vice Admiral Abogado expressed his gratitude to the PNP PRO-COR for the long list of support, camaraderie and partnership with the Philippine Military Academy.  

He said the Armed Forces of the Philippines shares burden of maintaining peace and order and the challenges of internal security with the Philippine National Police.

“Our AFP units in the Cordillera region have been clear witnesses of how regional police personnel have been so dedicated in performance of their duties in peace-making,” he said.

‘Shabu dealer’ busted in sting operation  

BAGUIO CITY -- A dealer of shabu, previously included in list of drug personalities in the Cordillera who recently got out of drug rehabilitation center, was nabbed with a sachet of shabu outside his residence here last week.

Arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency –Cordillera Administrative Region was Randall Lee Dominguez, 24, of Bauko, Mountain Province and resident of Adarna Street, Dizon Subdivision, Baguio.

Dominguez traded a sachet of shabu to a PDEA agent who posed as buyer in the sting operation around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. 

The .07 gram illegal drug, was sold by Dominguez for P1,000.

Charges for illegal drugs were prepared against the suspect.