ILOCOS POLICE BLOTTER

Cop-turned-junkie, friend nabbed

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — A retired police officer and his friend were arrested in a buy-bust operation by joint operatives from the city police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency last week.

Supt. Julius Suriben, chief of police, identified the suspects as retired Police Officer 3 Ignacio A. Dondonayos, 56, and Marcelino F. Dondonayos, 43.

Nabbed in Barangay Parian, here, at 5 p.m. June 29, the two yielded suspected “shabu,” two cellular phones, and a motorcycle allegedly used in the illegal trade.  -- Erwin G. Beleo

Two missing fishermen rescued off Ilocos waters

SANTA CRUZ, Ilocos Sur — The two fishermen reported missing at sea since June 26 have been rescued in waters off this town, police said. Fishermen MoisesSibayan, 40, and MelchorEmbernate, 43, both of Barangay Darigayos, Luna, La Union, were rescued by fishermen Melvin Gazmen and Erick Midlaoan of Barangay Pinpin, here.

Police said the boat carrying Sibayan and Embernate was damaged by big waves and floated aimlessly at sea when Gazmen and Midlaoan spotted it and towed it to shore. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

La Union PNP awarded ‘Best in police community relations’

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union — The La Union Police Provincial Office received Tuesday the “Best in Police Community Relations” award of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City. “This award is credited to the effort of men and women of La Union police who served and protect by joining hands with the various stakeholders of the province.

Our job made positive results with the help of the people,” said Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael, PPO director, who will receive the award this morning. -- Erwin G. Beleo

Ilocos Sur village chief held for shabu

MAGSINGAL – A joint police-Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested a village chief in a drug sting in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur June 30.

Police said Barangay San Julian chairman Noel Tolentino had been under surveillance for months.

Seized from him were eight plastic sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia, weighing scales, and a cell phone.

La Union police best in community ties

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union – The Philippine National Police leadership has commended the La Union police for being the “best in community relations” nationwide.

Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael, La Union police director, received the award during the celebration of the 119th Police Community Relations Month at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

32 Batangas fishermen rescued off Bolinao

By Liezle BasaInigo

BOLINAO, Pangasinan — Thirty-two fishermen on board a fishing boat were rescued following reports they were stranded June 24 after they encountered engine trouble in the vicinity of 52 nautical miles northeast of this town.

Reports received from the Bolinao Municipal Police Station (MPS) revealed that on June 24 around 1:22 p.m. a fishing boat, “F/B Rafael,” encountered engine trouble, with at least 32 crew members, all of Nasugbu, Batangas.

While being stranded at sea, another fishing boat, “F/B Joshua,” happened to pass by and tried to help them.

Captain Dante delFerroof FB Joshua first tried to tow FB Rafael but due to unfavorable sea conditions, resorted to transferring only its crew instead.

Around 6 p.m., Joshua safely arrived in Bolinao with the 32 crew members of FB Rafael.

Teacher who hit pupil forgiven

SOLSONA, Ilocos Norte — An elementary school teacher, who accidentally hit her pupil’s eye with a piece of cardboard last week, was forgiven by the pupil’s parents, the village chief said Thursday.

Barangay Captain EdilbertoTagari of Barangay Bubuos, here, said teacher Eva Rose Alcon, of the Bagbag Elementary School, who caused a blackeye on her pupil’s face last June 20, has been forgiven by the child’s mother.

The parent was moved by the teacher’s frequent visits to their house to check on the condition of the child as an expression of her deep regret. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

3 wanted men fall in La Union 

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Joint elements of La Union police provincial office and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 1 arrested Wednesday the most wanted man in Bicol and two other murder suspects.

Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael, La Union police director, said Bicol’s most wanted, Ricky Aguilar, 44, of Barangay Bulhao, Labo, Camarines Norte, had been hiding since 2004 when he was charged with murdering his neighbor.

The same team also arrested the most wanted persons of Region 1, Glenn Bambalan, 35, in Balaloan, La Union, and Ronaldo Omo, 27, in a separate operation in San Fernando City. Both are facing separate murder charges.  -- Erwin G. Beleo

4 colorum buses apprehended

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Land Transportation Office-Region 1 (LTO-1) has apprehended four buses for violating the new regulation against “colorum” operation.

Two of those buses were sighted in Urdaneta City and the other two in La Union. LTO Regional Director Teofilo Guadiz said among those apprehended were a Baybayan Tours bus, and one under Cruz Transport. He said violations ranged from an expired franchise, illegal transfer of plate and out-of-line, to lack of plate. -- Liezle Basa Iñigo