GOVPH

NPA CAMPS CONTAMINATE COMMUNITY WATER SOURCE

Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet - Three barangays of Tadian, Mountain Province have been alerted regarding contamination of their potable water system after two NPA camps were found to have been raised at the water source area. Dirty bandages, medical waste, and other detritus were scattered right next to the water reservoir and intake tank of their water system. Poisonous ingredients for Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along with finished products such as grenades and claymore mines were also discovered. At risk are the water systems of Duagan, Sumadel, and Nabitic. However, the Tadian Municipal Health Office must have to wait for clearing operations to terminate before it can address water contamination in said barangays. This same problem was also raised by the residents of Bagnen, Bauko, Mountain Province whose water source was also contaminated not long before the encounter between the government forces and the NPA bandits happened. They claim to have been suffering from dirty water as the NPAs have encamped near their water source.

Aside from contaminating the water sources, the NPAs also deliberately burned forests to escape pursuing government forces aside from employing IEDs/landmines in their unsuccessful attacks that could indiscriminately damage any individual, livestock, and properties aside from negative effect to the local folks’ normal life.         

The government forces fear for the life of the people who might be caught by the planted landmines. Despite the death and wounding of some of the PNP troops, the clearing and hot pursuit is still ongoing until the government forces make sure that the mountains are free from the landmines which the NPAs have planted.

On the morning of April 5, 2019, combined troops of the Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion and 53^rd Division Reconnaissance Company of the Philippine Army discovered the first camp just 50 meters away from the reservoir tanks of the three barangays. Nearby were the improvised explosives and bomb ingredients that are toxic and could poison the water. Later in the afternoon, another encampment was found 300 meters in a cave, where bloody bandages, used dextrose bottles and syringes, and catheters were scattered along with left-over food and food containers. The evidence were indicative of casualties incurred by the NPA during encounters with government troops since March 29, 2019.

With this disturbing practice of the New People’s Army, Police Regional Office-Cordillera is calling on residents of remote barangays throughout the region to periodically inspect their water source areas for NPA encampments.  It is now apparent that the NPA has advanced from being a peace-and-order problem to being a source of health problems. In putting up camps near community water sources, they are blatantly violating the rights of communities to clean and contamination-free potable water. RD PROCOR PBGen Israel Ephraim T Dickson appealed to the community and other local tourists to temporarily refrain from going to the areas of Bauko and Tadian, Mountain province until all areas were cleared. (PROCOR RPIO)

Firearm Holder, Gamblers Nab in a Day in Renewed PRO-COR Campaign

PRO-COR’s renewed effort against criminality bagged in one day, an illegal firearms holder and four persons engaged in illegal gambling. The campaign has been ordered by PROCOR Regional Director, Brigadier General Israel Ephraim T Dickson, in the run to the forthcoming 2019 elections. It has been noted that unscrupulous elements take advantage of the flurry of activities that often marks the final three weeks of the campaign period.

 Anselmo P. Gallo, 50 years old of Lusong, Manabo, Abra, was apprehended on April 23, 2019 at his residence by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Marita Bernales Balloguing of RTC Br. 20, Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Arresting officers from the Abra Criminal Investigation Detection Group (CIDG PFU-Abra), Special Action Force-22nd SAC and Manabo police, were able to confiscate one (1) caliber .45 pistol with 1 magazine and 8 live ammunition.

On the other hand, four gamblers were arrested at Marcos Highway, Sto. Tomas Proper, Baguio City in the afternoon of the same date after they were caught in the act playing card game. Anti-Illegal gambling operatives of Station 10, BCPO identified the arrested individuals as WILFREDO BARAGA ALLER, 50, native of San Carlos, Occidental Mindoro, resident of Sto. Tomas Proper, Baguio City; JOHN ESPARTERO ABGAO, 31, native of Cabugao, Apayao, and resident of Purok 4, Dontogan, Baguio City; GERALD DADIBO RAGUDO, 23, native of Damit-Bayog, Zamboanga Del Sur, resident of Queen of Peace, Baguio City and MARTIN MALICDEM FERRER JR., 31, native of Malasiqui, Pangasinan, and resident of Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet. Confiscated items include bet money amounting to Php 233.00 and gambling paraphernalia.

The public is encouraged to join hands with the authorities to combat this illegal menace in the region. “We cannot do this alone, but with the help and full support of the community and their vigilance we will clear the region against these illegal activities especially that election period is fast approaching” PROCOR Regional Director, Brigadier General Israel Ephraim T Dickson said. (PROCOR RPIO)

Two drug pushers fall in buy-bust operations of police Cordillera

Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad Benguet: Two drug pushers were arrested in two succeeding days of buy bust operations conducted by the Baguio City Police Office and Kalinga Police Provincial Office.

Recently, a farmer identified as Langngag Yagao Gayyad, 43, and a resident of Lacnog, Tabuk City, Kalinga was apprehended by the joint personnel of Kalinga Drug Enforcement Unit, Tabuk City Police Station and members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-15.

He was arrested in his residence in the afternoon of March 28, 2019 while his two companions eluded arrest. Result of the operation is the confiscation of one (1) small sachet containing suspected shabu and drug paraphernalia in his possession.

Moreover, a female drug pusher identified as CHERRILYN ASPERA GALANG aka CHERRY, 31, a resident of East Bayan Park, Baguio City was arrested along East Bayan Park Barangay, Baguio City in the night of March 27, 2019.

During the joint drug buy-bust operation of the City Drug Enforcement Unit, Station 7, Station 6, and members of the Criminal Intelligence Unit in coordination with the PDEA-CAR, Galang was held after vending a sachet of shabu to one of the operatives who acted as a poseur buyer. Her male companion escaped after being alarmed of her scream while being arrested.

Evidence confiscated from the suspect’s possession were two (2) sachet of shabu, 1 mobile phone and Php3,000.00 buy bust money.

Gayyad and Galang are now facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 filed by the police in court. While the companions of the arrested suspects who eluded arrest are now subject for surveillance and manhunt operation for their immediate arrest. (PROCOR RPIO)

PROCOR Arrests 138 Wanted Persons in a Month

Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet – Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) operatives gained success in the service of warrants issued by the courts against suspects following the arrest of 138 wanted persons for the month of March including 8 Top Most Wanted Persons (TMWP).

Most notable accomplishment of the arrest within the month is the neutralization of the three top most wanted persons in the provinces of Apayao, Benguet and the City of Baguio on March 26, 2019.

The No. 3 tmwp of Apayao province identified as Paul Sabadao Alawin, 49, native of Upper Maton, Pudtol, Apayao and presently residing in Brgy. Guinalbin, Aglipay, Quirino Province was arrested thereat. He was charged for the crime of murder with no recommended bail bond.

Also, Benguet’s No. 7 tmwp identified as Joel Pasigon Alingba, 28, farmer and a resident of Tinoc, Ifugao was arrested in Mansoyosoy, Catlubong, Buguias, Benguet. He was charged for the crime of violence against Women and their Children with a recommended bail bond of ₱120,000.00.

While the No. 5 most wanted person of Baguio City identified as MARCEL DOMINGO RAMOS, 26, glass aluminum installer, and resident of San Antonio Village, Aurora Hill, Baguio City was apprehended in Kabuyao, Tuba, Benguet. He was charged for the crime of rape with no recommended bailbond.

In the station level of Baguio City, another three top most wanted person were also arrested in their respective residences.

The number 6 top most wanted person of Police Station 1 (PS) and PS6, BCPO were arrested. Police Station 1 (PS), BCPO arrested Rafael Voltaire Bidang Montero, 25, construction worker and a resident at Km 4, Bacbacan, Asin Road, Baguio City on March 10, 2019. While PS 6, BCPO arrested ELIZABETH TAQUIO SALAZA, 44, government employee, and a resident of Sayangan, Atok, Benguet on March 5, 2019. Montero was charged for the crime of Qualified Theft with a recommended bail of Php 40,000.00 while Salaza was charged for the crime of two counts of Estafa with a recommended bailbond of ₱240,000.00.

Moreover, the No. 9 TMWP of PS3, BCPO identified as Leo Sandoval Briones, 37, and a resident of Engineer's Hill, Baguio City was arrested for the crime of Serious Physical Injuries on March 7, 2019 with a recommended bailbond of Php12,00000.

Finally, two top most wanted person was also arrested in the municipal level of the province of Ifugao. Hungduan’s no. 1 most wanted person identified as Martin Liwanon Dangpahon, 48, farmer was arrested in his residence at Uhaj, Banaue, Ifugao on March 14, 2019. While Kiangan’s No. 4 most wanted person identified as Eddie Baguilat Dulawan, 53, farmer and a resident of Duit, Kiangan, Ifugao was arrested at Barangay Ricarte Norte, Diffun, Quirino on March 7, 2019.

Dangpahon was charged for the crime of rape with no recommended bailbond while Dulawan was charged for the Crime of Acts of Lasciviousness with a recommended bailbond of Php200, 000.00.

In addition, 128 other wanted persons were arrested over the past month regionwide.

Brigadier General Israel Ephraim Dickson, Regional Director said that the positive result of massive manhunt operations is the noteworthy outcome of PRO-COR’s continuous crime reduction program. “We are relentlessly hunting these criminals to prevent them from committing their nefarious activities to ensure the security of the public especially that the election is fast approaching," Dickson added.

Likewise, he directed all unit commanders to passionately implement the service of warrants and account all wanted persons to help fast track pending cases in various courts of the region. (PROCOR RPIO)