POLICE ROUNDUP

12 persons arrested in Cabanatuan drug raids

 CABANTAUAN CITY — Police arrested 12 persons here in five anti-drug raids that also yielded shabu packets last week.

The raids targeted the houses of five known drug dealers, city police Ponciano Zafra said.

One of those arrested was wounded in a shootout with police, Zafra said.

He identified the suspected dealers as sisters Ma. Adoracion Maranan and Ma. Mean Maranan, both from Barangay Barrera, and cousins Teresita Magno and Jeffry Magno, and Melvin Manio, all from Barangay Imelda.

Fourteen sachets of shabu were found in from Ma. Adoracion’s house. She was arrested along with seven others who were caught using drugs in her house.

Ma. Mean, on the other hand, was apprehended after police found eight sachets of shabu in her room.

Eleven shabu packets were found in the house of Melvin Manio. His brother, Mark, shot it out with the police and was wounded in the exchange of fire.

Seized from Mark was around 5 grams of shabu.

Zafra and his men were issued an search warrant by Nueva Ecija Executive Judge Ana Marie Joson- Viterbo.

A week ago, Zafra led the confiscation of more than 7.2 kilos of marijuana and arrested thgree suspected pushers. It was the biggest marijuana haul in the city’s history.

“Hindi kami titigil hangga’t may gumagamit at nagtutulak ng droga. Huhulihin naming lahat ang mga salot dito sa lungsod”, said Zafra.

Since July 1 last year, the city police had recovered almost a kilo of shabu, around 8 kilos of marijuana and had caused the surrender of more than 4,800 drug personalities. -- Mar T.  Supnad

4 Cordillera provinces declared drug-free

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Four provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been cleared of illegal drugs.

Apayao and Mountain Province were declared drug-free on Tuesday, Chief Supt. Francis Sarona, CAR police director, said Wednesday.

Sarona said 144 barangays in 10 towns in Mountain Province and 102 of 153 barangays in Apayao were cleared of illegal drugs after a validation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and after compliance with the parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board.

The provincial anti-drug abuse council earlier declared Ifugao a drug-free province after validating reports from barangay and municipal anti-drug abuse councils, said Gov. Pedro Maya-o.

Kalinga received the drug-free certification on Feb. 6 during the opening of a drug rehabilitation center in the provincial jail. – Victor Martin, Raymund Catindig

Tanod stabbed in retired police officer’s house

BANGUED, Abra – A tanod was stabbed here around 8 p.m. Feb. 12 at here at Barangasy Calaba South. Police identified the victim as Rodolfo Dumalen Blaza, 64, while the suspect was was Rene Bayle Barbosa, 19, both  residents of the barangay.  

The victim and suspect along with Jonathan Vasquez, Riting Calixterio were reportedly having a drinking spree at the house of Pacifico Stanjan Ledda, 53,  retired police officer, during a birthday party. While the group were singing, the victim was teasing the suspect to dance but the latter stood and went at the back of the victim and suddenly stabbed the victim three times. Blaza was rushed to Abra Provincial Hospital by his brother.  The attending physician said the victim suffered multiple stabs on  his neck and was admitted for further observation.

Barbosa fled after the incident. 

Bulacan cop chief assures safety of Korean students

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director, has assured the safety of South Korean students in the province.

Caramat held a dialogue with Korean students Jan. 27 and discussed role of police in keeping communities safe.

The dialogue was initiated in the aftermath of the kidnapping of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo from his residence in Angeles City in Pampanga and killing inside the Philippine National Police headquarters at Camp Crame allegedly by police officers.

Caramat said he condemns the incident even as he promised that he would not tolerate any wrongdoing by policemen.

He also reminded the Koreans to be vigilant and immediately report any untoward incident to the police.

In Angeles City, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan ordered the creation of a special desk at the city hall to address the concerns of South Korean residents and tourists. -- Ric Sapnu

Man nabbed for stealing 79 rice bags in Rosario 

BAGUIO CITY – A man who reportedly stole 79 sacks of rice with still unidentified companions at public market of Rosario town in La Union was nabbed here Feb. 12 by Rosario cops led by SPO1 Allan F. Padilla who coordinated with Baguio police.

A police report said the robbery reportedly happened earlier that day around 8 a.m. The victim was named as Rolando Jacla of Barangay Concepcion, Rosario. The sacks of rice were allegedly stolen from his store by unidentified suspects who fled to Baguio City on board two  Toyota Grandia with Plate Number 8668 and 8157 respectively.

Cops went to Slaughter Compound, Magsaysay Baguio where the rice was reportedly delivered. The suspect was identified in the area as Mayo Calasiao, 36, unemployed of Sitio Balengbeng, Beckel La Trinidad, Benguet.

Sixty one sacks of rice, part of the stolen 79 sacks were recovered and brought to Rosario with witnesses for documentation and filing of case in court. Jacla’s companions were still at large at press time.

Pasil councilor mauled after drawing gun

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A municipal councilor of Pasil town identified as Dexter Gayawet Batalao, 29, was mauled by a certain Wilbur Bongad Agoy, 25 and his companions around 1 a.m. Monday here at Purok 2, Bulanao.

Investigation disclosed the victim who was under influence of liquor had a heated confrontation with the suspect who was having a drinking session beside a parked vehicle. Batalao drew a handgun and pointed it to Agoy who tried to grab the gun until they both fell on a canal. While the suspect and the victim were grappling on the firearm, the gun went off. The victim together with his companions mauled the suspect and took the firearm from him.

The victim together and the suspect were rushed to Kalinga Provincial Hospital for treatment.

Man found dead in Bulacan

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – The body of a man believed to be a drug pusher was found in Pandi, Bulacan Tuesday morning.

The victim bore several stab wounds. He was hogtied and his head was wrapped in packing tape, according to Bulacan police acting director Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat.

The body was found by local transport group leader Alex Jacinto in Barangay Cacarong Bata at around 7:30 a.m. 

Police are verifying reports that the victim was a drug supplier in Pandi, Bocaue and Balagtas, all in Bulacan. – Ric Sapnu

Groups challenge each other to fistfight; young man shot

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A certain Paolo P. Chagwasi, 20 was shot on the foot here around 11:50 p.m. of Feb. 12 near Genesis Grain Center, Purok 4. Police investigation disclosed Chagwasi’s group had an altercation against another group wherein they challenged each other to a fistfight. The unidentified suspect who belonged to the other group drew a handgun and fired once at the victim hitting his right foot. Police responded but the suspect’s group had left already. 

Ilocos Norte crime down 60 percent

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte -- Crime volume in Ilocos Norte decreased significantly in 2016, the police provincial office reported.

Senior Supt. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., police provincial director, said the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office recorded 600 index crimes last year, 60 percent lower than in 2015 with 1,500.

Index crimes involve crimes against persons and against property that are used to track crime incidence. 

Nartatez said their strong partnership with the local government and the intensified campaign of the Philippine National Police against crime resulted in the substantial decrease.

“The decrease in crime rate is a good indicator that we have effective measure in the prevention of the occurrence of crimes,” Nartatez added.

On crime solution efficiency, he noted that INPPO’s investigation efforts increased to 80 percent in 2016 from 65 percent.

Nartatez said that the INPPO's goal this year is to “to intensify the prevention of the occurrences of street crimes, further enhance our investigative solution, further increase the number of arrest involving illegal drugs and illegal firearms and strengthen the capability enhancement program.”

Police personnel will continue to undergo training to upgrade their skills, he added.

Gov. Imee Marcos said the provincial government supports the INPPO’s plan to fight criminality in the province fully. She said heightened public safety is in line with her vision for a "livable" province.

Young man arrested for homicide in Tabuk

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A man was arrested here Monday after Jennifer P. Humiding, executive judge of regional trial court, First Judicial Region, La Trinidad, Benguet issued arrest warrant against him for homicide.

Arrested was Roldan “Arjay” Bukel Guzman, 24, farmer here of Barangay Nambucayan. Humiding set bond of P200,000 for Guzman’s temporary liberty.

Businesswoman nabbed for estafa; no bail set

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Police of La Trinidad, Benguet and their local counterparts arrested a businesswoman here Monday for estafa.

Nabbed was Nora Ngeti Ngan-Oy, 46, native of Kibungan, Benguet and presently residing at Quezon City, Manila.

The arrest was made after Cecilia Corazon S Dulay-Archong, assisting judge of RTC Branch 8 La Trinidad, issued warrant against her for estafa with no bail recommended. Accused was brought to La Trinidad where she was incarcerated at local jail.

Manila call center agent found fighting for life in Baguio inn

BAGUIO CITY – A call center agent in Manila is now fighting for his life at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center here after was found by an attendant stabbed in a room at room 409, La Brea Inn, Session Road bloodied and gasping for air Feb. 12 around 5:45 p.m.

Ferdinand S. Rosas, 27, service staff of said inn found victim Gerry Opog, 42, with residential address at Block 1, Lot 95, St. 8, San Isidro, Cainta Rizal, a call center agent of WNS, Global Service Philippines.

Investigation disclosed the victim checked in Feb. 11. Rosas was doing his round when he saw the victim lying on the floor since the door was half open.

He peeped and saw the victim gasping for air which prompted him to call for emergency assistance who came and rushed Opog to BGHMC while police inspected the room and found the bed sheet splashed with blood with a fan knife (balisong) near the pillow. The victim’s belongings were all intact indicating that no other person was present inside the room.

A police report said the victim apparently attempted to commit suicide since he was unjustly terminated from his job as a call center agent over money matters. Personal properties of the victim were turned over by  police investigators. The family of the victim was contacted and informed of the incident. 

Central Luzon now 83 percent drug-free

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga —Central Luzon is now 83 percent rid of illegal drugs, according to police regional director Aaron N. Aquino.

Chief Supt. Aquino reported only 17 percent or 240 barangays in the region have been left “uncleared of illegal and addictive drugs.”

Aquino expressed optimism that in the next few months “we can probably rid the region totally of illegal drugs.”

He cited the successful campaign being launched by the Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) led by Senior Superintendent Benjamin Silo Jr., that resulted in the clearing of the province of illegal drugs last month or ahead of the target set by the President and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Aquino wanted that Bataan’s success in its campaign versus drugs adopted and become a model by other PPOs and City Police Offices in the region.

For his part, Silo cited the all-out support of Governor Abet S. Garcia for the PPO’s successful campaign against illegal drugs. -- Mar T. Supnad

Six persons hurt in car accident.

BAGUIO CITY -- Six persons were injured in a car accident here Feb. 10 around 6 a.m. along Leonard Wood Road.

A Toyota Corolla sedan came from the direction of Pacdal heading towards the city proper when it slid due to slippery road landing on the opposite lane then collided with a taxi resulting to damage to both vehicles.

Four passengers of the sedan were injured including two occupants of the taxi. all victims were treated by the responding Baguio City Emergency Medical Service medical personnel and Fire Protection medical team who brought them to Baguio General Hospital Medical Center for further medical treatment. -- Gaius Cabrera

Ex-village chief  nabbed for rape

By Jun Elias

BANGAR, La Union – A former barangay captain was arrested for rape Wednesday.

An M16 rifle, a caliber .38 revolver, a fragmentation grenade and ammunition of various calibers were also seizedduring a raid on the residence of Onofre Sabado, 50, former chairman of Barangay Luzong Sur, police said.

Sabado, who was accused of rape by his stepdaughter, is the second most wanted person in this town.

The arrest and raid were based on warrants issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 34 Judge Manuel Aquino.

Pampanga village chief shot dead

SAN SIMON, Pampanga – A barangay captain was shot dead in this town Monday.

Sonny Simbulan, 54, of Barangay Concepcion was in front of a store when unidentified motorcycle-riding men wearing bonnets fired at him.

Simbulan’s brother Isagani said the victim was buying food for his visitors from the Commission on Elections at the barangay hall when he was shot.

 “He told us that he had received death threats, but we don’t have the details. We believe the killing was politically motivated,” Isagani said.

Simbulan, who lost in the mayoral elections, has a pending electoral protest. – Ding Cervantes