POLICE ROUNDUP

Miner hacks miner

ITOGON, Benguet – Police reported a case of hacking which transpired at about 6:45 p.m. Dec. 7 here in Muyot, Gumatdang. The victim was identified as Venancio Campila Aluking, 32, miner, of Rizal, Kalinga, while the suspect  was identified as Manuel Corestino Wallang, 42, miner, local resident. 

Investigation disclosed the victim was watching TV inside his shanty when the suspect who was armed with a bolo suddenly entered through the window and hacked the victim twice but the victim parried the attack. As a result, his hands were injured and he was rushed to the Baguio General Hospital for medical treatment. Responding police arrested the suspect.

53 Cordillera cops undergo counter insurgency training 

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – The Regional Police Office started here last week 45-day training for 29th Batch Special Counter Insurgency Operations Unit.

Senior Supt. Albertlito Garcia, OIC, regional chief directorial staff welcomed Scout Class 29-2015 while Senior Supt. Joseph Adnol, regional personnel human resource development division declared  opening of training for 53 cops assigned with Regional Public Safety Battalion.

Senior Supt. Donato O. Bacquian, deputy regional director for operations said  Scout training is one of the toughest because it teaches every basic detail in Internal Security Operations (ISO). It also sharpens one’s mind, and strengthens camaraderie. He added that they will be trained to develop physical well-being and withstand pressure in any situation.

Munoz City’s top ‘pusher’arrested

MUNOZ CITY,Nueva Ecija -- Finally, the long arm of the law got her.

In his report, PSupt Ponciano Zafra disclosed the arrest of Maria Linda Santiago y Mangalindan, 24, of Pob. North, listed No. 1 in  top 10 priority target list of drug peddlers.

Santiago was arrested near her residence when she sold a sachet of shabu to PO2 Jerry Manzano who acted as poseur buyer.

“She is a very active pusher and sells drugs usually by the grams. And she has direct connection to bigtime drug suppliers from metro manila,” said Zafra.

Since October, Zafra’s police team arrested 15 personalities involved in illegal drugs including 6 among the top ten drug personalities.

Zafra assumed this city’s chief of police Oct. 5.

Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Manuel E. Cornel commended Zafra’s arrest of this city’s drug pusher and also recent “neutralization” of three carnappers. – Nelson Bolos

Men land in jail for theft

BAUKO, Mountain province -- An alleged thief landed in jail after being arrested in here last week in Guinsadan Sur. The suspect was identified as Gilbert Cabinta Galatic, 29 whose arrest warrant was issued by Judge Mona Lisa V. Tiongson-Tabora, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court, Branch 7, Baguio City who recommended bail of P200.

In Itogon, Benguet, Gamil Mariano Omaguing a.k.a Gamaliel, 26, charged for theft, was arrested at Sorong, Luneta, Loacan. Judge Maria Ligaya V. Itliong-Rivera of RTC Br. 5, Baguio City recommended bail of P24,000 for his temporary liberty.

 Pangasinan ‘Salisi Gang’ nabbed in Nueva Ecija

MUNOZ CITY, Nueva Ecija – Three members of a “salisi group” from Pangasinan were arrested here Tuesday.

“The group ran away with the personal bag of a store owner by pretending to buy goodies but the three were cornered by our alert policemen on duty,” said Supt. Ponciano Zafra, this city’s police chief. 

Zafra identified those arrested as Jackielyn De Vera y Ballesteros, 26, single, Janice Cabuang y De Vera, 23, single, and Thelma Sampaga y De Vera, 22 , also single. All come from Purok 2, Brgy. Bulusan, San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

According to Mary Ann Casillan, owner of 50-D General Merchandise store, “I have just opened the store when 4 women entered and simultaneously asked for prices of the goods on display. While I was entertaining them, one them went out and later on I discovered that my bag was taken.”

The fourth suspected thief  ran away with Casillan’s bag containing P6,000 cash and valuable personal belongings.

During the investigation, the three arrested salisi gang members refused to give the name of their companion who took the bag but admitted to have done similar thieving in other towns including in Tarlac province.

The three were charged of theft including their fourth companion who remained at large. – Nelson Bolos

Farmer arrested for rape

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Ernesto Masilang y Rimando, 30, farmer, was nabbed for rape in his residence at Zitanga, Ballesteros, Cagayan last week.  Judge Joseph P. Baguilat of RTC, Lagawe, Ifugao recommend no bail for his temporary liberty.

Chinese drowns in Pagudpud swim race

LAOAG CITY – A Chinese participant in the International Cross Harbor Race in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte drowned during the event Dec. 11.

Tan Xian Guang, 55, a member of the Tianhe Swimming Association from Guangdong, China, was found floating by the race marshals.

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the police rescue team rushed the victim to the Bangui District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Over 100 Chinese participated in the two-day event, which started in Currimao town a day earlier.

The Cross Harbor Race is a physically demanding sports event, which requires both tactical and technical approaches in order to win. Every year, Chinese athletes look forward to the race to promote swimming as a sport for all ages. – Ariel Paolo Tejada

Security guard survives electrocution in Baguio 

BAGUIO CITY – A security guard fixing a water hose at the roof of Good Taste Restaurant here along Rajah Matanda St. was electrocuted Tuesday when he accidentally touched a live wire.

A police report said the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. with the victim identified as Ruel Tabaranza Napoles, 47 of Babay, Leyte.

The victim later said at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center where he was brought for treatment he became unconscious due to the electric shock. Police said the incident resulted to power interruption that affected Barangay T. Alonzo, New Lucban and some parts of Bonifacio Street.     

Miner hacks fellow miner with bolo 

ITOGON, Benguet – A miner attacked another miner with a bolo which resulted to his arrest. A police report said the incident happened around 6:45 p.m. Monday here in Muyot, Gumatdang. The victim was identified as Venancio Campila Aluking, 32 of Rizal, Kalinga, while the suspect was named as Manuel CorestinoWallang, 42, Muyot resident.

Investigation disclosed the victim was watching TV inside his shanty when the suspect who was armed with a bolo suddenly entered through the window and hacked the victim twice but the victim parried the attack. As a result, his hands were wounded and he was rushed to the Baguio General Hospital for medical treatment. Police with barangay watchers immediately pursued the suspect and brought him to the local police office where he was jailed.

San Fernando mayor sets men against firecrackers

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Mayor Pablo C. Ortega of this city has mobilized civil security personnel, policemen, and firemen to strengthen security and preventive measures against fires and accidents this season of celebration and designated specific areas as exclusive firecracker zones. Ortega also began yesterday the deployment of inspectors for the string implementation of laws on the regulation and sale of firecrackers and fireworks. “We just want to ensure the safety of residents here to avoid fire or any untoward incident caused by firecrackers because there are some unscrupulous traders who sell anywhere.,” he said. -- Erwin G. Beleo

P.4-M drugs seized

CAMP QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — Operatives from local police units and  Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted a three-day anti-narcotics sweep in this province, resulting in the arrest of 44 suspects and confiscation of P462,432 worth of illegal drugs. Apart from the drugs, 12 guns, assorted ammunition, and a hand grenade were also seized in the so-called one-time, big-time police operation under “Oplan: Lambat-Sibat.” -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Man plays with gun, shoots wife dead

BINALONAN, Pangasinan – A woman was killed when the gun that her husband was playing with went off at their home in this town on night of Dec. 13.

Police yesterday filed parricide charges against tricycle driver Jeffrey Romero, 31, for killing his wife Merilyn, 27. Reports said Romero was under the influence of liquor when he arrived at their home in Barangay Sta. Catalina.

The man reportedly took out a homemade .22 caliber pistol and played Russian roulette. The man put the gun to his head and squeezed the trigger, but it did not go off.

He reportedly aimed the gun to his wife’s head and pulled the trigger.

The gun went off, killing the woman at the scene. Police arrested Romero and recovered the gun used in the killing.

Merilyn’s parents took custody of the couple’s two children. – Eva Visperas    

Miner dies in Benguet tunnel

ITOGON, Benguet – A miner was buried after he died of suffocation after he was trapped in a tunnel here Dec. 12.

Cesar Agustin Paler of Nueva Ecija got out of the tunnel along with his companion Oliver Bunoten when he decided to return to get some ore samples.

Bunoten said he decided to follow Paler to the tunnel when he failed to show up after several minutes.

He said he found Paler lying unconscious, prompting him to call for help from their fellow miners.

Paler died while being taken to a hospital in Baguio City.

Pangasinan cops’ guns sealed with tape

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The muzzle of service firearms of police officers and personnel of the Pangasinan police were sealed with tape following Wednesday’s  flag-raising ceremony here.

The tape-sealing of the guns was led by Senior Supt. Rolie Saltat, officer-in-charge of the provincial police in a ceremony held at the police headquarters here.

The sealing of the lawmen’s firearms was meant to prevent indiscriminate firing during the Christmas and New Year revelries.

Saltat told his men that no one among them is expected to fire a gun without a valid reason. He said the guns should not be fired except during a legitimate police operation and when the lives of the policemen are in danger.

He said police officers would regularly patrol areas frequented by people and more officers would be deployed in churches, especially when dawn masses start this week. – Cesar Ramirez
 

Lady cop gets medal of honor

CAMP QUIRINO,  Ilocos Sur — Chief Supt. Ericson T. Velasquez, Police Regional Office 1 director, conferred recently the “MedalyangPapuri” (medal of honor) to a rookie policewoman, who helped a pregnant woman safely give birth inside a bus last Nov. 22. Police Officer 1 PO1 Flores Banua-Diga, a nurse by profession, responded to the emergency inside a Fariñas bus bound for Manila and aided Myrna Respicio in giving birth. PO1 Diga’s effort, which was captured on video and became viral in social media, ensured the safety of both the mother and her newborn before being taken to the Candon City Hospital. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

La Union capital steps up drive vs firecrackers

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The city government has tightened security at the plaza where a firecracker zone would be put up to prevent untoward incidents during the holidays.

Mayor Pablo Ortega issued the order yesterday after leading the tape-sealing of firearms of police officers to prevent them from engaging in indiscriminate firing.

Personnel of the city permits and licensing office were directed to strictly implement laws regulating the sale of hazardous firecrackers such as super lolo and bawang.

“We want to ensure the safety of the people and avoid fires or any untoward incidents that may be brought by firecrackers,” Ortega said.

City police chief Supt. Julius Suriben said police visibility has been stepped up at the plaza to ensure immediate response to any untoward incident. – Jun Elias      

Slay of 7-year-old unsolved

CAMP QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — She was last seen alive playing near their house in SitioRebba, Barangay Pagsanaan Norte in Masingal town, this province, last Wednesday. But after frantic search, it took three days before the decomposing body of seven-year-old “Micha” was found just 50 meters away from her house. Probers, who said she had been bludgeoned to death, only have a blood-stained bamboo pole as a clue, so far, in solving the case. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Man wanted for

rape cornered

BAGUIO CITY – A man wanted for rape was arrested around 11 p.m. Monday at Maharlika Building here by cops from Buguias, Benguet and Baguio. The suspect was identified as Marlon L. Onsat, 25 of Banawel, Tapno, Natonin Mountain Province.

Danilo Camacho, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court, Branch 64, issued warrant for his arrest with no bail recommended.

2 teen cousins stabbed to death

STO. DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur — Two female cousins were stabbed to death inside their house in SitioBagumbayan, Barangay Paras here night of Dec. 5. Police said there are yet no suspects in the killing of Rowena Bugarin and her cousin, Vanessa Bugarin, both 19. Witnesses said screams were heard from the house around 9 p.m. and a relative of the victims rushed to the scene. But it was already too late as the two lay lifeless with multiple stab wounds in their bodies. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

3 men nabbed for illegal gambling 

BAGUIO CITY – Three men caught playing card games (tong-it) inside Masungad Mini Gallery Souvenir shop here at No. 4 Purok 6, Barangay  Gibraltar night of Dec. 4 were charged for illegal gambling.

Police identified suspects as Rico Calulod Omiliana, 33, vendor; Froilan Macadaeg Casison, 31, service crew and Rexton Laga Bacowan, 28, laborer.

A police report said the three individuals were jailed for also committing various offenses.

Foreman locked in jail for ‘raping’ teacher

BAGUIO CITY -- A foreman was arrested in his office at Prime Peak Subdivision, Purok 8, Barangay Dontogan here Dec. 5 for allegedly raping a teacher inside the victim’s house at Purok 8, Dontogan. Investigation revealed the suspect identified as Martin Baldemor Jr., 38, of San Antonio, Naguilian, La Union raped the victim after the suspect’s girlfriend left to buy food which was requested by the suspect.

Man stabs high school student

KABAYAN, Benguet – A certain Mates Sumakey Lasbacan, 28, of Abucot, Laddet here was arrested in Poblacion night of Dec. 5 for allegedly stabbing a high school student. Prior to his arrest, the suspect together with his other companions attacked the victim while they were walking home with his friends but the victim managed to flee with help of his friends.

Man stabbed during death

anniversary of relative

MANKAYAN, Benguet – A man was seriously injured when he was stabbed Dec. 5 by a relative here during death anniversary of a kin. The suspect was identified as Mayo AgayaoKidkid, 47, farmer, here of Mabileg,Tabio was arrested within the day. Investigation revealed that the suspect and the victim were having a drinking spree when misunderstanding erupted which resulted to a heated argument prompting the victim to leave the suspect who chased and stabbed his abdomen.  The victim was rushed to the Lepanto Hospital but later transferred to Luis Hora Hospital in Bauko, Mountain Province for further treatment.

Suspect lands in jail for getting drunk man’s wallet

Theft suspect identified as Jerald Pagaspas Tayan, 27, a resident of k.m. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet was sent to jail after victimizing an intoxicated farmer napping at the jitney terminal in the early morning of December 7, 2015. Police stated that the suspect took advantage of the intoxicated victim lying in a chair and took his wallet but patrolling policemen saw the suspect that led to his arrest and the recovery of the wallet.

‘Akyat bahay’ man slain in shootout

CAMP JULIAN OLIVAS, Pampanga — An alleged member of the notorious “AkyatBahay Gang” of robbers operating in Nueva Ecija was killed by police in a shootout in Barangay San Nicolas, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija, before dawn Dec. 5.  Police tried to accost two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle in Barangay San Nicolas at 3:15 a.m., but one of them shot at police. When police returned fire, they shot and killed the back-rider, Louie Garcia, of Purok Riles, Barangay San Vicente also in Gapan City. The other suspect got away. Garcia, it turned out, is wanted for a series of robbery cases in the province. -- Franco G. Regala

Tarlac police gets 17 new vehicles

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Seventeen police vehicles were turned over to the Tarlac provincial police office at Camp Macabulos on Wednesday.

Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento and Philippine National Police logistics head Director Juanito Vaño Jr. delivered the vehicles, said Chief Supt. Rudy Lacadin, Police Regional Office 3 director.

“The distribution of patrol jeeps speaks well of the goal of the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and PNP to increase its capability in running after criminals ...and assisting our people in disaster response operations,” PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said.

The mayors or representatives of the towns of Anao, Bamban, Camiling, Capas, Concepcion, Gerona, La Paz, Mayantoc, Moncada, Paniqui, Pura, Ramos, San Clemente, San Jose, San Manuel, Santa Ignacia and Victoria received the vehicles. – RicSapnu