POLICE ROUNDUP

Wild mushrooms down 5 soldiers

BUCLOC, Abra -- Five soldiers were hospitalized after eating wild mushroom here Monday night.

Chief Insp. Carol Lacuata, Cordillera police spokesperson, said the victims, who are personnel of the 24th Infantry Battalion, complained of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. The soldiers reportedly picked the mushroom in Sitio Tinoon, Barangay Labaan.

Health officials are investigating the incident.

 Suspect killed in Ecija drug sting

GENERAL TINIO, Nueva Ecija -- A police officer and a suspected drug pusher were killed in a drug bust here Monday night. 

Chief Supt. Amador Corpus, Central Luzon police director, identified the fatalities as Police Officer 1 Mariano Emmanuel Caparas of General Tinio police and a certain Abet.

Abet was shot dead after he fired at Caparas when the suspect sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents in Sitio Saudi, Barangay Pias, reports reaching Corpus’ office showed. 

A 9mm pistol, a motorcycle and a sachet of shabu were reportedly recovered from Abet.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde gave assurance that the family of Caparas would receive all benefits given to police personnel killed in the line of duty.

At least 87 police officers have been killed in anti-drug operations since February. – Ramon Efren Lazaro

Farmer’s motorcycle stolen along highway

ATOK, Benguet – A certain Ray Posaoen Catnas, of Balili, Mankayan, Benguet, at present residing along km 58, Cattubo, Atok told police his Rusi motorcycle with plate number SI 3950 (registered to Reynaldo Aban Sabalo of Sitio Mata Marozo, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur) he parked at the side of the road along km 58, Cattubo was stolen.

He reportedly parked the vehicle around 6 p.m. on Monday but around 5 a.m. the next day, he noticed his motorcycle was missing. Police are locating the vehicle and the thief.

 Charges set vs mine tunnels’ operatiors 

TUBA, Benguet – Charges are being readied for illegal mining against three small-scale mine owners after police and personnel of the Environment Department’s Mining Geo-Science Board found they were operating illegally here at Sitio Basa, Camp 4 around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Responding to a call from a certain engineer Bunosen of MGB, police found the three operational tunnels owned by Josie Umikeg, Delfin Kamfoli, and Mad-en Kanayon.

Partner hunted for hitting, threatening to kill OFW, uploading nude pictures  

HINGYON, Ifugao – The live-in partner of an overseas foreign worker is now being hunted by police after he mauled and threatened the latter he would kill her, then posted nude photos of the victim in facebook accounts he created to shame her – all because he suspected the victim of having an affair with another man.  

Junia (not her real name), 32 and resident of Kiangan town told Hingyon police Tuesday she was physically abused by her live-in partner, 34, whose name police did not disclose.

She told police her partner was an elementary graduate and a resident of Piwong, Hingyon,.

 Investigation disclosed on April 2, at around 9 p.m. at their residence at Piwong, the victim and his live-in partner had a misunderstanding because the suspect insisted the victim washaving an illicit affair with another man that resulted in a quarrel. The suspect mauled and pointed a knife on the neck of the victim and threatened to kill her in the presence of their son. The suspect stopped when their 6-year-old son intervened.

Further investigation revealed it was not the first time the suspect physically abused the victim. He always threatened the victim to kill her, uttering unsavory and hurting words even in the presence of their son.

It was revealed by the victim that when she left the suspect, he created many Facebook accounts using the profile of the victim then sent scandalous videos, nude pictures of the victim to her friends in exchange for money.

The victim was referred to the local Social Welfare office for counseling while the suspect is still at large. A case was prepared by police to be filed at the prosecutor’s office.

Man shot dead on Abra road 

DOLORES, Abra – A man riding a bicycle was shot dead by two still unidentified men riding in tandem a motorcycle here July 14 around 6:45 p.m. in Barangay Talogtog.

The victim was identified as Jovito Castañeda “Bitong” Taeza, resident of said place.

Investigation disclosed around 6:40 p.m., the victim was riding his bicycle from their house going toward south when he was shot several times by the two unidentified motorcycle-riding men then fled south.

The victim who sustained gunshot wounds on his head and lower abdomen was immediately rushed by concerned citizens to Abra Provincial Hospital, Bangued, Abra but declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Cops recovered five cartridges for Cal.45 from the  crime scene.

Tagudin buy-bust nets one pusher

By Mar Supnad

TAGUDIN, Ilocos Sur- Police swooped down and conducted a buy-bust operation Monday here in Barangay Malacanang resulting to arrest of a suspected drug pusher.

Police arrested Leonardo Ordinario, 35, construction worker, drug surrenderee and confiscated from him three medium heat sealed sachets of shabu and P1000s buy-bust money.

The arrested person and confiscated items are now under custody of Tagudin police.

In Vigan, personnel of Vigan PNP conducted an illegal gambling operation at Barangay Raois, Vigan City that resulted in the apprehension of six women after they were caught playing “tong-it.”

Police identified them as Eliza Amate, 66, single; Elsa Santos, 72,single; Melita Mangampo69 , widow; Teresita Amungol, 64, widow; Salvacion Barcesa, 58; and Cristina Florendo, 46, all are unemployed and residents of BarangayRaois, Vigan City.

Police confiscated from them were two sets playing cards, two tables and betting money amounting to P429.

Arrested persons and the confiscated items were brought to Vigan police station.

 Man, 71 nabbed for libel in Sagada

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Police arrested a certain Robert Magalgalit Beleo, 71 here Tuesday at Barangay.Banga-an for libel. This after arrest warrant was issued against him by Sergio T. Angnganay Jr., presiding judge of First Judicial Region, RTC Branch 35, Bontoc, Mountain Province. The judge set bail of P40,000 bail for Beleo’s temporary liberty.

 Waiter arrested for estafa in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – A waiter was arrested Tuesday at his residence here at No. 103 Upper Quirino Hill for estafa. Nabbed was Vrenneli Amking Bugnosen, 35, single, native of Lepanto, Mankayan, Benguet.

Judge Leody M. Opolinto presiding judge of MTCC Branch 3, earlier issued warrant against him setting bail of P80,000 for his temporary liberty.

 3 macho dancers, 5 others nabbed for pot session

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Three macho dancers and five residents of nearby San Juan town were nabbed in raid at a pot-session in a lodging inn in this city on July 14.

According to Supt. John Guiagui, San Fernando’s city police chief, the macho dancers who were arrested at the Sleep n’ Drive Inn of Barangay Catbangen, San Fernando City, La Union, were Ryan Malazarte, 25, Kevin Bryan De Guzman, 31, and Dareckson Bastasa, 26, all working as dancers at a gay bar in this city and native residents of San Pedro, Laguna.

Seized from these suspects were five sachets of alleged shabu, two sachets of alleged marijuana, and several drug paraphernalia.

The other five suspects arrested at Barangay Cabugnayan, San Juan, La Union were Bernardo S. Macayan, 28, single, Eric A. Padua, 25, married, Joel B. Abat, 26, single, Benjie A. De Leon, 30, married, and Orlando C. Rodriguez, 35, single, all residents of the said barangay.

They were arrested for possession of a sachet of marijuana leaves.

According to San Juan police, suspects Padua, Abat, De Leon, and Rodriguez were all drug surrenderees and under surveillance, while Padua faces a rape case.

All suspects are now at the custody of police stations for proper disposition. -- Erwin Beleo

Grave coercion lands man in jail 

TUBA, Benguet – A man was arrested here Tuesday for grave coercion. Nabbed was Kim Bangonan Mariano, married, 30, of Paltingan, Ambiong, La Trinidad, Benguet.

He was arrested by virtue of warrants of arrest for three cases issued by  Melita Amylesha Macaraeg, presiding judge of MTC, First Judicial Region, Benguet. The judge set P15,000 bail for each case.

Young man found dead in container van

BAGUIO CITY – A man was found dead inside a container can here at Suello Village on Tuesday.   

Police identified the victim as Salve Samdao Saga-ok, 25, driver and a stay-in of Datanian Aggregates along Circumferencia Road in the area.

A police report said the victim’s co-workers found him already stiff with no response so they applied first aid to no avail.

Around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, a telephone call from a concerned citizen was received by PO2 Mirasol Buabo, informing that a lifeless male person was found in the van. Interview conducted by responding personnel of Station 10 with Ben Pasig Cayabas, owner/manager of the sand and gravel business, disclosed that on Tuesday morning, he arrived at the area and his workers talking about Saga-ok who was already dead.

Relatives of the victim decided not to subject the cadaver to autopsy as they were waiting for their elders to conduct rituals prior to removal of the victim’s cadaver from the area.

Arm found along Nangalisan River

SABLAN, Benguet -- A man’s left arm was found here Tuesday by cops led by SPO3 Godfrey C. Cotay Jr.  partially buried by sand along Nangalisan River at boundary of this town and Tuba.    

Investigating team headed by Supt. Rodrio Leal said the arm was detached around two to four days earlier.

The arm was brought to La Paz Funeral Homes Baguio City for finger printing and DNA examination.

This, as Sablan police coordinated with barangay officials of Mangi, Bayabas here and Nangalisan, Tuba, if they have missing person in their respective barangays.

Father, daughter hurt as car hits their motorcycle 

BAGUIO CITY – A man who just fetched his daughter from the school at Fort Del Pilar Elementary School at Philippine Military Academy here were injured when the motorcycle they were riding in collided with a private utility vehicle.  

A police report said the incident happened around 4:10 p.m. Tuesday along Aguinaldo Drive in front of the PMA gate. 

The vehicle driven by Geronimo Dionisio, 36 of Ud-odan, Itogon, Benguet collided with the motorcycle driven by Cristopher Aguas, 34 of No. 40 Purok Magsaysay, Apugan, Loakan.

Investigation revealed Aguas just fetched his daughter Shigeno inside the school campus and while descending going towards the direction of Loakan Road, he collided with the vehicle driven Dionisio which came from Barangay Kias turning left going towards PMA gate.

As a result, the motorcycle riders fell on the ground. Responding cops brought the victims to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment while the damaged MC was brought to Station 4 for safekeeping. The driver’s licenses of both were confiscated and issued traffic citation tickets.

 Tarlac top fugitive nabbed

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Authorities arrested the second most wanted person of Victoria town, Tuesday morning in San Andres, Victoria, Tarlac.

Arrested was Jeffrey Cainglet y Tuquero, ranked No. 2 most wanted person of Victoria, 27 and resident of the town.

The warrant was issued by Judge Hon. Ramon Pamular of RTC Branch 63, Tarlac City for rape in relation to RA 7610 with no bail recommended.

The suspect is temporarily under the custody of Victoria police for proper disposition. -- Franco Regala

 Gays fight it out in Abra disco bar 

BANGUED, Abra – A gay man was confronted here by another gay inside a ladies toilet which led to a confrontation and fistfight between screaming companions of the two. 

A police report said the incident happened July 15 around 12:30 a.m. at Chalix Disco Bar located here at Zone 5.

Investigation disclosed Willy Ragadio Villastiqui, 35, gay, went inside the comfort room for females to relieve himself when Gretchen Fructuso Valeros, 25, confronted him followed by a heated argument.

The altercation continued until they returned to their respective tables when suddenly one of the companions of Valeros named Carlo Balira Valeros, 38, gay, threw a bottle of beer towards Villastiqui's group who retaliated that turned to a fist fight.

As a result, Valeros sustained injuries on his left elbow and was rushed to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment.

Driver, minor survive Kabayan road crash

KABAYAN, Benguet – A young man and a minor were injured when they were pinned inside their vehicle after it hit a road parapet here around 11:50 a.m. of July 14. in Soysoyan, Gusaran.

Police and fire personnel rushed to the area but found victims Frenson Bugtong Cosip, 15 and driver Junie Macario Sacpa Jr., 20 were already rescued by responding civilians.

The responding officers gave first aid before transporting them to the Rural Health Unit at Poblacion, Kabayan.  Investigation disclosed the white Mitsubishi Canter loaded with cabbage bearing plate number RDX 965, owned by Novery Macario Sacpa of Tawangan, Kabayan and driven by  Junie Sacpa Jr., was descending the road when its brakes malfunctioned.

The driver pulled the handbrake but it failed that prompted him to maneuver the said vehicle to the retaining wall but the vehicle continued to move until it bumped the road parapet. Both victims were pinned inside the said vehicle and sustained injuries due to the strong impact.

The injured victims were brought to Baguio General Hospital by Kabayan police for treatment.  The vehicle incurred undetermined cost of damage.

La Union farmer arrested for shabu

BACNOTAN, La Union – A 41-year-old farmer was arrested by authorities in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Sapilang this town Tuesday night.

Police identified suspect as Jomar Halinaganan, single, a resident of Casiaman, Bacnotan, La Union.

Halinaganan was nabbed selling illegal drugs or shabu to anti-narcotic agent who posed as buyer in the buy-bust operation.

Seized from him were two heat sealed sachets of shabu and P500 buy bust money.

Halinaganan was detained at the Bacnotan police station for charges for violation of RA 9165 shall be filed against the suspect. -- Erwin Beleo

 Cops nab bocap, 4 others for drugs

TUGUEGARAO CITY– A high-value target and four other drug personalities including a former barangay kagawad were arrested in separate police operations on July 17.

Police Regional Office 2 in its intensified campaign against illegal drugs nabbed Mark Obena, 20, electrician of Purok 2, Mabini, Santiago City for selling 1 pack of dried marijuana leaves weighing 600 grams to a PDEA agent who acted as a buyer on July 17.

Confiscated from the suspect was the buy-bust money.

Next to be arrested on the same day by Solana Police and PDEA Region 2 Southern Cagayan in buy-bust operation was Efren P Balubal, former barangay kagawad of Centro Northwest Solana, Cagayan, for selling one sachet containing suspected to be “shabu”.

The PNP also recovered one sachet containing shabu, the buy-bust money, 1 unit of black & white Honda XRM and one Cal. 38 loaded with 2 pieces live ammunition.

Meanwhile, three drug personalities were arrested in separate drug buy-bust operations in Cagayan Valley. Those arrested were identified as Bernardo Javier, 58, married, a resident of Rosario, Santiago City; Ariel Sabado, 29, married, construction worker, a resident of Centro, Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and Jerry Galande, 31, a resident of Brgy. Masoc, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

Jose Mario Espino said a case for Violation of RA 9165 is now being prepared for filing against the suspects while another case for Violation of RA 10591 was filed against the arrested high-value target. -- Liezle Basa Iñigo

3 students nabbed for pot session

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Three male students were arrested for engaging in a pot session inside a lodging inn of this city at dawn Wednesday.

Supt. John Guiagui, San Fernando’s city police chief, identified the suspects as Franz Jan T. Buncab, 19, HRM student; Patrick Ian L. Sibayan, 19, nursing student; and Paulo B. Cayago, 20, an electrical engineering student.

Guiagui said the suspects were newly identified drug personalities, who had checked-in at room 6 of Pearl Drive Inn along Gov. Luna St. Barangay 4, this city.

Joint operatives of San Fernando City police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency conducted the drug raid operation at about 1:45 a.m.

Confiscated from them were 4 sachets of shabu, 3 sachets of marijuana, 2 improvised pipes with burnt marijuana, 1 aluminum tooter, 2 strips of aluminum foil with residues, and other drug paraphernalia.

The suspects were subjected to medical examination and were placed under the protective custody of the city police station. -- Erwin Beleo

7 arrested for illegal firearms

BAGUIO CITY -- Seven persons, including five teenagers and a minor, were arrested in separate police operations in the highland provinces of Kalinga, Ifugao, and Benguet in a span of seven days, the police regional office reported.

Police Regional Office Cordillera director Chief Supt. Rolando Nana said the police will look into the extent of involvement of teenagers in illegal gun possession.

In a report released to the media, out of the seven arrested persons, five were teenagers, including a 16-year-old, which is considered a minor.

Five firearms of different calibers were seized from the suspects.

Nana said the lone 16-year-old minor was brought to the custody of the municipal social work office in Benguet province's capital town of La Trinidad.

He narrated that in the evening of July 7, the minor brought out his homemade Cal. 22 handgun out of frustration when the store owner refused to sell him alcoholic drinks. Fortunately, the store owner quickly grabbed the gun from the minor and called the police.

Arrested in Balbalan, Kalinga were Bernard Legaspi Velasco Jr., 19 and Kevin Dave Gammad Dalere, 18, after they were found in possession of caliber .45 Colt loaded with eight live ammunitions. Police flagged them down while on board a motorcycle without a plate number.

The two others, Arnolfo Domingo and Angelo Lamao Gunnawa, both 19 years old, were caught after a brief chase as they tried to evade operating units on the night of July 2 in Barangay Bulanao in Tabuk City.

Nana said the two sped away on a motorcycle after seeing policemen prompting the law enforcers to chase them. A Smith and Wesson caliber .38 loaded with five live ammunitions was seized from the two.

In Ifugao province, Jerry Baldino, 30, of Tinoc town and Domingo Natalac, 25, of Asipulo town, were intercepted in a checkpoint in front of the Lamut police station on the evening of July 3 while onboard a motorcycle. They yielded three guns -- a caliber .45 loaded with five live ammunitions, a magnum 22 loaded with three live ammunitions, and a caliber .38.

Nana said charges for illegal possession of firearms were filed against those nabbed.

In a text message, the Cordillera police chief urged those with unlicensed guns or firearms with expired licenses to surrender their guns to avoid being caught for violation of the firearms law, which is a criminal offense.

Nana also commended the personnel on the field for their anti-criminality efforts.

He directed all Philippine National Police units in the Cordillera Administrative Region to launch more operations against loose firearms. -- Dionisio Dennis Jr./PNA

 Police nab 3 drug peddlers in Angeles

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – PRO3 regional director Chief Supt. Amador V Corpus said three persons were nabbed and confiscated from them over P200K worth of shabu in separate anti-illegal drug operations in Angeles City during the weekend.

Operatives of the Angeles City Police Drug Enforcement Unit (ACPDEU) conducted buy-bust operation along Jake Gonzales St. (Shell gas station) Virgen Delos Remedios, Angeles City which resulted to the arrest of Anjo Muñoz.

Confiscated from Muñoz were seven pieces plastic sachet of shabu weighing more or less 55 grams with an estimated street value of P165,000.00; one blue pouch bag; one P1,000.00 marked money; and one light brown Honda City bearing plate Nr RGB 571.

Operatives of Police Station 5 conducted also buy bust operation at Nr 45 Maligaya St., Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City which resulted to the arrest of Herminio Yanga @ Tangi, 49 of said place and Robert Cayanan y Ocampo, 39, of Bagong Silang, Barangay Cutcut, Angeles City.

Confiscated from Yanga and Cayanan were eight small-size heated sachets of shabu with an estimated street value of P40,000,one empty small violet candy box; one pair of scissors, one bamboo stick; one empty fortune cigarette box; one disposable lighter and one bundle of unused transparent plastic sachets; two hundred peso bills and P500 marked money.

Cases for illegal drugs were filed against the suspects at the Angeles city Prosecutors Office. – Mar Supnad

 2nd most wanted person in Ilocos traced in Caloocan

CAMP GEN FLORENDO, La Union- After almost five years of hiding, the 2nd most wanted person among drug pushers was arrested Tuesday night in Caloocan City by police of Santiago, Ilocos Sur and Caloocan.

Senior Insp. Aristeo Tajon, chief of police of Santiago, Ilocos Sur, identified the fugitive as Renato Collado Tengsico, former president of Association of Barangay Captains and native of Poblacion Norte, Santiago town.

“We conducted the intelligence build-up until we were able to trace him in Caloocan city,” said Capt Tajon.

Tengsico was dubbed co-leader of the Tengsico-Cabreros criminal group which was engaged in illegal drugs in the 2nd District of Ilocos Sur.

Tajon said Tengsico was listed under PRRD Level 2, previously at-large for having been convicted for violation of Section 11 of RA 9165.

The report said that Tengsico, listed as one of the high value target of Ilocos Sur police and a resident of Barangay Poblacion Norte, Santiago, Ilocos Sur was caught off guard inside his rented apartment at Caldino Apartment, Block 1, Lot 28, 1st Street, Shelter Ville Subdivision, Barangay 171. Caloocan City when the government forces swooped down on his hideout.

His arrest was based on a warrant of arrest for being convicted for violation of Sec. 11 of RA 9165 issued by Judge Sixto Deompoc of RTC Br 72, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

Police said the case against the Tengsico stemmed from the anti-drugs operation conducted against the target on August 29, 2013 in the municipality of Santiago, Ilocos Sur that resulted in the confiscation of 11.456 grams of shabu from his possession, control and custody.

During the arrest, the following items were also seized: four sachets of shabu and one weighing scale. -- Mar Supnad