San Fernando City police arrest 8 in PNP operations

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union- Police here arrested eight suspects in a drive against criminal gangs during a series of operations.

Supt. Julius C. Suriben, city police chief  warned criminals and organized crime groups in the province police would go run after them no matter even if they have connections with officials.

 A decorated police officer being an intelligence officer for years, Suriben said five persons were arrested during operations last week.

He identified the first to fall as Vilma Salazar, 42, of Bulusan, San Carlos City, Pangasinan who was arrested for ship lifting after she caught in the act of stealing clothes in a tiangge.

 “Salazar discreetly took bundle of short pants and concealed it into her dress. However, with the vigilance of the business owners she was arrested. Confiscated from her custody was one bundle of short pants amounting to P3, 500.” said Suriben in his report to Senior Supt. Ramon L. Rafael, La Union police director.

 Meanwhile, Suriben said  three persons were arrested for pilferage of fertilizer ammonium phosphate fertilizer after they were caught by Jonathan Gomez, operations manager of Soiltech Agricultural Products Corp. (Soiltech) located at Barangay  Madayegdeg, San Fernando City, La Union, who in turn, reported it to the police.

Arrested persons were identified by Suriben as Rolly Gargoles, 35 of Boy Manuel Compound, Bayanihan, Gapan, Nueva Ecija; Mark Anthony Diaz, 19, of Brgy.Conception, Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija and John Leodones, resident of Brgy. Vega,Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

 In separate operations, Suriben reported that Intelligence and operatives of the San Fernando PNP arrested Allan Saldua, of Barangay 4, of this city, in an entrapment operation. Seized from Saldua were two sachets of marijuana and buy bust money. 

“Saldua is the leader of Tisoy Group engaged in drug pushing and robbery operating in the city and nearby municipalities,” said Suriben in his report.

 Barely more than one month since his assumption as top police here, Suriben reported  that a dreaded robbery and carnapping gang operating in the city and nearby towns was earlier busted after police arrested three members at Purok 6, Sevilla, City of San Fernando. 

 He identified them as Rey Manalo, Alias Ka Mike Galvez, 25 , alleged leader of the gang and and resident of Barangay San Agustin, this city; Darwin Espiloy, ,22, residents of Purok 6, Brgy. Sevilla, this city and Nino Apostol, 22, also of the same barangay. 

 Mayor Pablo C Ortega, congratulated Suriben and his men for making the city a safe place to live, work and do business with. He said maintenance of peace and order is one of his priority concerns which is a vital component towards the attainment of sustainable peace and development in the city.

 Manalo had a standing warrant of arrest for theft issued by Hon. Judge Imelda P Cosalan, Executive Judge of municipal citcuit trial court of San Fernando on May 11, 2012," said Suriben in his report to Rafael.

 He added they confiscated shabu and a firearm  submitted for ballistics examination. -- Mar T. Supnad