More vehicles stoned along Ilocos highways

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP QUIRNO, Ilocos Sur -- The stoning of vehicles along highways has become more rampant in this province despite police efforts to thwart the practice.

Four more passenger buses were stoned recently even as police patrols were increased along national roads.

Senior Supt. Jovencio Badua, Ilocos Sur police director, said he has directed all police chiefs in the province “to enhance police presence particularly at night time and conduct patrols along the national highways.”

Badua also directed his men to check beer joints and bars where suspected throwers converge before they go on a stoning spree.

“We had already identified two suspects in Sta. Maria town and filed cases against them,” he said.

He also instructed the police chiefs to utilize barangay police action teams to meet  bar owners to help stop the stonings.

“We have already provided leaflets to bus operators and drivers containing hot line numbers to enable them to get police assistance in case of emergency,” he said.

Four more Partas buses were stoned, damaging their windshields and injuring passengers.

In Narvacan town alone, police noted three stoning incidents in just one day, and one in Barangay Napo, Magsingal.

In Santiago town, an Isuzu GIGA Wing Van truck was also stoned by two unidentified men at Barangay Caburao, near the Banayoyo junction. 

The truck’s windshield was cracked.

The two unidentified suspects fled south direction after the incident.