PNP Regional / Provincial News

JUL

Provincial News, Tuesday, July 29, 2008

PNP Davao chief encourages men to have “legal” sidelines

DAVAO CITY, July 29 (PNA) –- Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director Andres Caro encourages his men to look for extra incomes other than their police profession so as to alleviate the impact of the crisis on their family, “but they must be of legal way”. Caro said with the crisis hitting the country, policemen really needed an extra income.

He said some of the cops are into selling fruits while others are driving jeepneys or taxis after their duty as cops.“These are honorable jobs that must be encouraged and supported by the police superiors rather than prohibited,” added Caro. He said policemen in other countries even have three different jobs, thus he sees no reason why it should be discouraged here.

A low-ranking policemen receives at least P12,000 a month or even less or roughly about P400 a day.
Recent estimates say that a family of four needs to earn at least P800 a day to have a decent life. (PNA)
ALM/LBV/Jessie L. Casalda/lvp

Provincial News, Thursday, July 17, 2008

Police SAF battalion to be deployed in ComVal

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, July 16 (PNA) – To avert further terroristic activities by the communist terrorists here, the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional command will be sending troops to beef up territorial forces. The deployment of the elite force will help policemen guard various municipal police stations in the province. The elite force will also help secure key government and private installations spread all over the province.

“Their main function is to assist our local police and help secure our rural folks and rural businesses who are harassed and extorted by communist terrorists,” said police provincial director Supt. Ronaldo dela Rosa. He said the Special Action Forces Battalion will be deployed anytime this month to beef up the police and military forces in the area.

The elite SAF is the primary Special Forces unit of the PNP and are tasked and equipped to handle counter-insurgency operations, aside from counter-terrorism and law enforcement duties. Supt. Dela Rosa said the SAF will greatly help them as the province is home of at least seven NPA guerilla fronts. Police record showed the increasing spate of attacks conducted by the communist terrorists in ComVal province. Figures from May to July of 2008 indicated about 67 incidents of atrocities for a total of 104 attacks for this year alone.

However, officials from ComVal police headquarters said that the peace and order situation is still under control and is not slipping from their hands contrary to popular notions. ComVal Governor Arturo Uy also said the peace and order situation is under control that investors are still staying put in the province. Uy said he met with a group of Chinese investors during his official visit to Xiamen, China and expressed interest in the province's business potentials.

At present, foreign investors are eyeing agricultural and mining businesses in the province, he said. (PNA)
DCT/jmc/MUC/utb

Provincial News, Friday, July 04, 2008

Red alert up in Davao Region

DAVAO CITY, July 4 (PNA) – The entire Davao Region has been placed under red alert following a spate of attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Chief Supt. Andres Caro II, police regional director, said all police units are now placed on “highest state of alert.”

This means that the police should be more vigilant in and intelligence is intensified.

“It’s no longer in the pursuit of ideology, but merely sowing fear on the people to get money. The rebels are showing themselves to be the most organized criminal group,” Caro said.

More than 50 rebels led by Danilo Nodalo alias Ka Benjie of the Front Committee 18 raided the Banaybanay Municipal Police Station in Davao Oriental Thursday morning, wounding a policeman and a fireman. They also carted away six Armalite rifles, two nine millimeter pistols and one .22 caliber revolver.

Caro said the rebels disguised themselves as rallyists and boarded two Elf-cargo trucks. They fired two M203 rounds at the police station before carting away the weapons.

He identified the wounded as SP03 Abnelnasser Pesian and Fire Officer Rockie Labus standing right beside him during that time was also hit in the knee.

Members of the 1106th Police Mobile Group and the Philippine Army are pursuing the rebels.

Earlier that same morning, at 5:30 a.m., the Asares mining base located at Sitio Tinago, Mt. Diwata, Monkayo, Compostela Valley, was attacked by the rebels. Two of their comrades were reportedly killed while two policemen were wounded.

Caro said the attack which lasted for one hour was led by Ka Jason and Ka Daryl of the Front Committee 20 of the NPA.

PO1 Jerson Maniquez and PO1 Joselito Suarez sustained minor injuries in the attack.

Caro surmised the non-payment of revolutionary taxes by the tunnel owner could be the reason for the attack. The rebels withdrew towards Km. 56 of Monkayo, Compostela Valley dragging their alleged two dead comrades.

He ordered all chiefs of police to monitor all clinics and hospitals that may harbor patients with gunshot wounds.

A hand grenade also exploded after midnight of Wednesday, at 12:54 a.m., at corner Arbejo and Fuentes Streets, Poblacion Nabunturan, Compostela Valley killing two persons and wounding 12 others.

Caro said two unidentified persons aboard a red Honda XRM lobbed a hand grenade on a group of students at the Park and Go Bakeshop, killing two persons, Grace Agura and Renel Campitan.

He also identified six of the 11 wounded as Jade Postrero, Chaln Labonete, Tonette Ulyamana, Reynaldo Saplan, JR Valle and Noel Siva.

Caro said police operatives chased the perpetrators on board a motorcycle resulting in the wounding of one of the suspects who fell from the motorcycle, but still managed to escape with the help of a companion and a back up motorcycle with a lady rider.

He said police operatives are also looking at the report that the perpetrators were also involved in the killing of two soldiers who were gunned down while taking their breakfast at an eatery in Nabunturan Public Market. (PNA)
RBC/jmc/ASA/lvp

Provincial News, Friday, July 04, 2008

Comval gov offers P200-T cash reward for grenade throwers

NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley, July 4 (PNA) – Governor Arthur Uy has offered a P200,000 reward for the capture of the grenade throwers, who killed three persons and severely injured 12 others inside a bakery in Nabunturan Poblacion, this province Thursday morning.

Police Inspector Rey Tactacquin, officer-in-charge of the Nabunturan police station, said three unidentified motorcycle-riding men threw a hand grenade at the Park 'n Go bakery located at Poblacion Nabunturan around 12:45 a.m. Thursday.

The victims died on the spot while the 12 injured were taken to the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City.

Police identified the casualties as Grace Agura, Reniel Campitan and Rodel Lambongon while some of the injured victims were Jay-Ar Valle, Noel Siva, Jelmar Jhon Savala, Jacqueline Diez, Chay Labonite, Tonette Ulyameha, Reynaldo Saplan, Charlito Piquisa, Juane Eliasano and Jade Postero, alias En-en.

The victims were inside the bakery when the explosion occurred.

Police said the bakery was the target after the owner refused to pay extortion money to the New People’s Army (NPA).

Uy said it is possible that the same group was responsible for the killing of two members of the Philippine Army’s special force in the same area last June 30. The soldiers were having their breakfast in Poblacion, Nabunturan.

Nabunturan police identified the victims as Sgt. Rizal Alcos and Pfc. Exequiel Estadian Alcos, both of 3rd Special Forces Battalion under 1003rd Infantry Brigade.

The suspects immediately fled after the incident, carting away the soldiers’ M-16 Armalite rifle and M-14 rifle.

The governor said the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial mobile group and the Philippine Army are now in hot pursuit of the rebels. (PNA)
LAP/FFC/FMD/lvp

Provincial News, Friday, July 04, 2008

Armed men hold-up NFA rolling store in Sorsogon

SORSOGON CITY, July 3 (PNA)-- Armed men on Wednesday held-up a rolling store of the National Food Authority (NFA) distributing cheap government rice in Magallanes, Sorsogon.

The suspects carted away some P40,000 and valuables from the NFA personnel of the rolling store.

NFA Sorsogon provincial manager Cesar Barcelona, however, said on Thursday the incident will not stop the food agency from fielding rolling stores across the province to continuously serve impoverished families that cannot afford the prevailing prices of commercial rice.

In fact, Barcelona said they will field additional rolling stores going in the barangays, particularly those in remote areas of the province to make government rice more accessible to poor families. At present, the NFA here has 10 rolling stores.

The NFA rolling stores sell at P18.25 per kilo the ordinary rice variety and P25 per kilo the premium variety imported from Thailand.

Police report said that the rolling store hold-up took place in Barangay Pili, Magallanes while the NFA crew on board a passenger jeepney was negotiating the national highway on their way back to the agency's office here at about 1:20 p.m.

Magallanes is a remote coastal town, about 40 kilometers northwest of this provincial capital, and is considered a New People's Army (NPA)-infested territory.

The report said the NFA rolling store had just distributed 20 sacks of rice at the town proper, about five kilometers from the scene of the hold-up, when flagged down in Sitio Manapas of the village by the two suspects armed with short firearms.

Sorsogon Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial director Senior Supt. Henry Rañola said they have identified the suspects and were just awaiting the warrant for their arrest. (PNA)
LAP/FFC/DOC

Provincial News, Friday, July 04, 2008

2 wounded, 12 high-powered firearms seized by NPA in Davao Oriental raid

BANAY-BANAY, Davao Oriental, July 3 (PNA) – A police and a fireman were confirmed wounded when still undetermined number of armed members of the New People’s Army (NPA) raided a police station in Banay-Banay, this coastal province around 9:30 Thursday morning.

The NPAs also carted away seven M-16 armalite rifles and three .9mm pistols.

One of the wounded policemen, Police Officer (PO) 3 Abdul Nasser Pasian, said he was outside the police station doing some painting jobs when people on board two Isuzu elf vehicles arrived.

Pasian said he never expected that it was a raid.

“I only thought that those people will stage a protest rally nearby since they have placards,” he said.

The police station is located near the Municipal Hall of Banay-Banay.

The wounded policeman said they were surprised when strafed by at least 100 armed men from the trucks, some of whom in uniforms.

Pasian, who was hit in the right thigh, said Fire Officer Rockie Labus who was standing beside him, was hit in the knee.

“I tried to fire back at them since I was outside the police station during that time but they were too many strafing the police station, thus, I decided to seek cover because I am already hit,” Pasian said.

Pasian said he did not know what happened next as he tried to stop the bleeding from his wound.

PO3 Jimmy Cañete said there were only five policemen at their station at the time of the raid because some were providing security at a fellowship which was held every Thursday at the Municipal Hall.

Cañete said the suspects ransacked the station’s armory and seized the seven M-16 and three .9mm pistols.

During the attack, Banay-Banay chief of police Sr. Inspector Dequencio Panti was in a seminar in Mati City.

He immediately called for re-enforcements upon learning the incident.

Cora Fajardo of Lupon Health Office said that the wounded policemen were brought to the Lupon District Hospital.

Lupon is an adjacent municipality of Banay-Banay.

Joint operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are pursuing the suspects who escaped to an undetermined area after the incident.

Reports said the rebels belonged to Front 18, led by a certain Kumander Lando and Kumander Noli. (PNA)
LAP/FFC/JLC/lvp

MAY

San Pedro police said Kim Villa Abrille was tagged by a lone male witness as the triggerman in the killing of Rommel Siglos, 22, a resident of Tacurong City, and Rey John Tolentino, 23, from Cotabato City.

The two were shot dead around 11 p.m. of May 23.

Chief Inspector Alden Delvo, head of the San Pedro Police Precinct, said the Villa Abrille clan had already sent word to surrender the suspect, a Hotel and Restaurant Management student of Philippine Women’s College.

Delvo said aside from the witness, an identification card owned by the suspect was also recovered in the getaway vehicle used by the suspects, which was recovered along Magallanes Street.

In the initial police investigation, the victims were drinking at a bar in the area when they had a verbal squabble with the group of Villa Abrille from a nearby table.

Due to the heated argument, the two decided to go to their vehicle in the parking area.

As the two sat in the vehicle, the persons with whom they had an argument appeared and shot them repeatedly, resulting in their immediate death.

The killers hurriedly escaped on board a car with plate number LCE 747 towards an unknown direction. (PNA)

LBV/Jessie L. Casalda/lvp

Provincial News, 26 May 2008

Davao PNP orders probe on shooting of multi-robbery suspect

DAVAO CITY, May 25 (PNA) – Davao City police director Jaime Morente has ordered the investigation on the death of a leader of the Chigo Robbery Gang, who was shot dead by a policeman while on their way to the Ninoy Aquino Hall of Justice in Ecoland, this city last May 22.

Bernardo Chigo was shot dead by SPO1 Jun Bactol of the San Pedro Police Precinct after the suspect grabbed Bactol’s .45 caliber pistol inside the police Mobile No. 05 while traveling along Bolton Bridge on the way to court.

Morente said he has already instructed San Pedro Police Precinct Commander Chief Inspector Alden Delvo to conduct the investigation of the incident.

“If there was any question on the action of the authority, it should be corrected and those responsible should face the consequences,” the police official said.

If there were evidence that the killing of Chigo was deliberate, Morente said the one responsible should face administrative and criminal charges.

Despite the on-going investigation, SPO1 Bactol is still allowed to do his duty and not placed under restriction.

Morente said Bactol is still being allowed to report for duty due to lack of personnel and police visibility is needed because of some big event in the city.

Chigo, who was tagged in the several robbery incidents in the city and other places, was arrested by operatives of the San Pedro Police Precinct and Heinous Crime Investigation Section at Maramag, Bukidnon in the morning of May 22.

Morente said Chigo’s arrest was made after the Davao police received information about Chigo’s presence in Bukidnon.

Chigo was brought to Davao City because of the criminal cases lodged against him such as robbery in Mercury Drug in Toril, robbery and killing of businesswoman Letty Palaruan in Juna Subdivision, and robbery and killing of Elvira Lim, wife of Tamugan Barangay Captain Renie Lim in Marilog District, Davao City.

Chigo was also tagged in the series of robberies in Davao del Norte, Tagum City, Digos City, and in Central Mindanao. (PNA)
LOR/FFC/JLC/lvp

Provincial News, 26 May 2008

Davao PNP orders probe on shooting of multi-robbery suspect

DAVAO CITY, May 25 (PNA) – Davao City police director Jaime Morente has ordered the investigation on the death of a leader of the Chigo Robbery Gang, who was shot dead by a policeman while on their way to the Ninoy Aquino Hall of Justice in Ecoland, this city last May 22.

Bernardo Chigo was shot dead by SPO1 Jun Bactol of the San Pedro Police Precinct after the suspect grabbed Bactol’s .45 caliber pistol inside the police Mobile No. 05 while traveling along Bolton Bridge on the way to court.

Morente said he has already instructed San Pedro Police Precinct Commander Chief Inspector Alden Delvo to conduct the investigation of the incident.

“If there was any question on the action of the authority, it should be corrected and those responsible should face the consequences,” the police official said.

If there were evidence that the killing of Chigo was deliberate, Morente said the one responsible should face administrative and criminal charges.

Despite the on-going investigation, SPO1 Bactol is still allowed to do his duty and not placed under restriction.

Morente said Bactol is still being allowed to report for duty due to lack of personnel and police visibility is needed because of some big event in the city.

Chigo, who was tagged in the several robbery incidents in the city and other places, was arrested by operatives of the San Pedro Police Precinct and Heinous Crime Investigation Section at Maramag, Bukidnon in the morning of May 22.

Morente said Chigo’s arrest was made after the Davao police received information about Chigo’s presence in Bukidnon.

Chigo was brought to Davao City because of the criminal cases lodged against him such as robbery in Mercury Drug in Toril, robbery and killing of businesswoman Letty Palaruan in Juna Subdivision, and robbery and killing of Elvira Lim, wife of Tamugan Barangay Captain Renie Lim in Marilog District, Davao City.

Chigo was also tagged in the series of robberies in Davao del Norte, Tagum City, Digos City, and in Central Mindanao. (PNA)
LOR/FFC/JLC/lvp

Provincial News, Friday, May 09, 2008

PNP Davao conducts surprise drug test on cops

DAVAO CITY, May 9 (PNA)-– The Philippine National Police (PNP) Davao conducted a surprise drug tests on Wednesday to all members of the police forces, however proved negative.

Insp. Florepez Balado of the Scene of the Crime Operatives here said the drug test was conducted in order to find out whether some members of the police forces were under the influence of illegal drugs.

The tests were conducted by members of the Police Crime Laboratory precinct by precinct.

“We never informed them that we have to conduct on the spot test so we will really know if some of our colleagues are using illegal drugs,” Balado said.

"We are happy that the results are negative,” he added. (PNA)

ASA/lvp

APRIL

Provincial News, Friday, April 11, 2008

Davao cops sue 63-year-old man for operating video karera

DAVAO CITY, April 10 (PNA) -- Illegal gambling charges were filed Tuesday against a 63-year-old man for allegedly operating a video karera machine at his house in Agdao District, this city.

Sta. Ana police operatives filed the charges before the City Prosecution Office (CPO) against Jerry Miñoza for violation of Republic Act 9287 or new anti-illegal gambling act.

Miñoza’s house was raided by policemen after receiving a report from a concerned citizen. The raid was conducted around 5:00 in the afternoon last April 3 and yielded a video karera machine and several one-peso coins.

The raid was an offshoot of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s order to get rid their areas of video karera operations. (PNA)

LOR/JLC/lvp

Provincial News, Saturday, April 05, 2008

PNP Davao goes online

DAVAO CITY, April 4 (PNA) -- To provide better service as enunciated in the “Mamang Pulis” Action Program of Police Chief Director General Avelino Razon, the Police Regional Office in the Davao Region has launched Thursday its online facility which can be accessed at www.pnppro11.com.

Chief Supt. Andres Caro II, PRO regional director, said the website facility will inform the public about the activities and role of the police in the community.

“It is intended to inform the public about the role, functions and on-going activities at PRO Davao and its City/Provincial Offices, Caro said.

He said it will also be very useful in responding to the calls of today’s demand of providing a venue for the stakeholders of Davao Region to interact with their police, adding the facility is interactive and a user-friendly website that would inform the public about their law enforcers.

Important documents can also be downloaded from the online facility.

These documents include the PRO Davao press releases, police community relations activities, Anti-Kotong programs, emergency hotlines, information about PRO 11 and other police provincial offices/Davao City Police Office, organizational structure of PRO Davao–Command Group and staff and steps on how to join the PNP.

Caro said the public can also send their comments about PRO Davao through this public service endeavor of the Police Regional Police. (PNA)

LAP/Anthony S. Allada/lvp

FEBRUARY

Provincial News, Thursday, February 14, 2008

Anti-hoodlum cops fielded vs killing sprees in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 13 (PNA) -- The Davao City Police is reinforcing its Anti-Hoodlum Unit with several dozen policemen to arrest the suspects in the killings where nine people killed in stabbing and shooting incidents in two weeks.

The move came after two men took turns on Monday night in stabbing a seashell vendor in Bankerohan Public Market.

The said vendor was the ninth victim of violent incidents here, mostly attributed to the Davao Death Squad.

“We will reinforce the anti-hoodlum unit with 60 personnel from the 2nd City Mobile Group,” said police chief Jaime Morente, as the recent spate of summary killings alarmed the public.

Most of the deaths have been pinned down on the death squad, but police denied such group's existence and said the killings were gang-related.

Morente said he would order a renewed campaign against teenage gangs whose members have already been identified by the anti-hoodlum unit. (PNA)

LOR/FFC/RMB/lvp

Provincial News, Wednesday, February 13, 2008

14 NPA rebels charged for killing Davao businessman

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 12 (PNA) - Police authorities here have filed murder charges against a spokesman of the communist New People's Army (NPA) and 13 others tagged in the daylight killing of a businessman along Magallanes St., this city last Feb. 2.

Chief Insp. Antonio Rivera, chief of the Investigation Division of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), forwarded the complaint before the City Prosecution Office (CPO) against NPA Southern Mindanao spokesman Rigoberto Sanchez, Armando Saligumba and 12 others for the killing of Vicente Solis Ferazzini.

Rivera sued the NPA members after they had confirmed that Ferazzini was killed after he refused to give in to the demands of the NPAs for a P20,000 revolutionary tax for his farm in Catigan, Toril, this city.

Ferazzini was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen while he was walking towards his car parked along Magallanes St.

He sustained several gunshot wounds in the body and expired while undergoing medical treatment at the Davao Doctors Hospital.

Sanchez revealed that Ferazzini was killed by the NPAs liquidation squad due to his involvement in the counter-insurgency campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He said Ferazzini allowed the military to establish a base at his property in Catigan, Toril.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ordered an all-out war against the NPA. (PNA)

vcs/PTR/JLC/lvp

Provincial News, Saturday, February 2, 2008

Communist hit squad back in action in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 1 (PNA) -- The head of a military and police-backed anti-communist organization Friday warned that the Sparrow Unit, the dreaded liquidation squad of the communist New People’s Army (NPA), may have penetrated Davao City to carry out assassinations.

Ryan Sardinia, chair of Southern Mindanao Alliance in Response to Terrorism (SMART), said based on their monitoring that the Sparrow hit men could target military and police personnel and civilians.

But Philippine National Police (PNP) Davao spokesman Querubin Manalang said communist hit men are in the police watch and assured they would preempt any the assassination plans.

SMART, founded by anti-communist fighter Rex Sardinia in the 90s, has been assisting military and police in the region in the anti-communist campaign.

Sardinia figured as a front liner of the “Alsa Masa” (People’s Uprising) movement— a loose anti-communist organization— along with the late broadcaster Juan “Jun” Porras Pala in the middle 80’s as anti-red fighters at the height of the rebel occupancy of Davao City.

Two years ago, SMART figured in a word war with cause-oriented groups it tagged as communist fronts, after it erected large anti-communist billboards in Tagum City, Davao del Norte bearing the names of militant groups like Bayan, Bayan Muna, Karapatan and Gabriela.

The Sparrow Unit surfaced in the 80’s in Davao City as a rebel liquidation squad. (PNA)

LOR/FFC/RMB/lvp

JANUARY

Provincial News, Friday, January 11, 2008

Davao cops prefer skills training over counseling youthful offenders

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Local police authorities are urging the Senate to revisit a law that bans the detention of youthful offenders, owing to the growing problem on recidivism which law enforcers are plagued.

At the same time, they urged Senator Francis Pangilinan, husband of mega-star Sharon Cuneta, consider setting up a network of rehabilitation cum livelihood and skills training centers, instead of just releasing the juvenile delinquents to their parents after some kind of counseling.

Dioniso Abude, chief of Davao City PNP's precinct in Calinan District, said that mere counseling of minor offenders is proving to be ineffective in curbing street hooliganism.

He said most of youthful offenders the police earlier arrested, continue to commit the same crimes, despite the counseling mandated under the Juvenile Welfare Act.

Abude laments that most of youthful offenders who have been involved in theft, vagrancy and street violence between rival gangs in his turf, continue to be the same suspects one a similar office is committed.

The new law bans the detention of offenders below 18. Instead, it mandates that the police and social services workers admonish them against leading the life of a criminal, before they are released to their parents.

Abude noted that each time the same offenders get arrested for a crime similar to what they had done time for, alleged parental neglect tends to be the usual alibi for the vicious cycle.

Earlier, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte assailed the Juvenile Welfare Act for allegedly giving an undue advantage to minors who seek safe haven with it, while at the same time commit more crimes without getting slapped with legal redress. (PNA)

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