PNP Regional / Provincial News

JULY

Provincial New Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Maritime group undertakes mangrove planting, coastal clean up activities in Iloilo & Bacolod

ILOILO CITY, July 29 (PNA) –- The Regional Maritime Office 6 (PRO 6) embarked on coastal clean up and mangrove planting activities in two separate venues in Iloilo and Bacolod City recently as part of the activities lines up under the Project Blue Heart of the Maritime Group (MARIG). RMO 6 regional chief Supt. Cornelio Salinas said Project Blue Heart is being implemented nationwide upon the directive of MARIG Director, C/Supt. Angelo Sunglao.

"It is geared towards intensified and effective law enforcement against illegal fishing and anti-pollution and promotion of marine conservation,” Salinas said.
The mangrove planting was held in Barangay Punta Taytay in Bacolod City. Personnel of the RMO 6 planted some 1,000 propagules which covered about one half of the two hectares that were given to them for adoption. Salinas said the activity, which will be done year-round will also be a big boost to the Green Philippines Program (GPP) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

On the other hand, the coastal clean up was held at the eco park of Banate municipality. Participants in the two activities signed a covenant to ensure the sustainability of the project. (PNA)
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JUN

Provincial New Saturday, June 14, 2008

Another man killed over land dispute in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, AKLAN, June 14 (PNA) - A security agency is now in hot water after another civilian was killed Saturday morning because of a land dispute in this resort island.

Boracay police investigator PO1 Jackson Jauod Jr., identified the victim as Rexcess Mariano, a resident of Sitio Upper Pinaungon, Barangay Balabag Boracay Island.

"Our investigation showed that there were 10 security guards who were deployed to the residence of Mariano at 6:00 early this morning. The Mariano family is said to own the lot which reportedly is also being claimed by the influential Tirol family," Jauod said.

As the 10 security guards of the 3rd Alert Security Agency based in Iloilo City approached Mariano, a confrontation occurred between them.

"According to witnesses, the victim even tried to seek for police help. However, in the process a firefight ensued between the security guards and his personal guards. The victim was hit by a stray bullet that caused his death," Jauod said.

The 10 security guards are now under questioning by the police authorities. Also, the Boracay police are verifying the shotguns used by the security guards with the failure of their security supervisors to show legal documents for their issuance.(PNA)
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Provincial News, Wednesday, June 13, 2008

PNP not letting guard down on Boracay

BORACAY Island, Aklan, June 13 (PNA)- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is not letting its guard down despite that the month of June is being considered as the start of low season in Boracay Island.

"As far as the police is concerned, there is no more rest season in Boracay since the Kalibo Airport opened its gateway to foreign flights. Tourists keep coming in. With this, there is no movement of our PNP personnel from Boracay to ensure peace and order," said Supt. Larry Decena, deputy police provincial director of Aklan.

Two weeks ago, the Mandarin Airline from Taipei started its inaugural chartered flight in Kalibo Airport. This chartered flight brought in tourists bound for Boracay island.

The Air Transportation Office (ATO) also bared that in the coming weeks direct flights coming from Incheon, South Korea will be revived by the Asian Spirit while other airlines such as China Eastern Airlines and Pearl of the Pacific Airlines will also be flying to Kalibo.

Decena said that with the successful maintenance of peace and order in Boracay last summer, the police has decided continue on its strategies for the safety of tourists.

"We have decided that we will no longer decrease our police personnel in Boracay. We will just increase its number as the need arises," Decena said. (PNA)
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Provincial News, Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Iloilo PNP receives 12 motorcycles from provincial government

ILOILO CITY, June 11 (PNA) – The provincial government of Iloilo on Tuesday turned over 12 Honda XR motorcycles to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) to improve the mobility of the Philippine National Police (PNP) especially in providing security to the Iloilo airport of international standard in Cabatuan and Sta. Barbara towns.

The turnover ceremony which was held at the IPPO Camp Sumagaysay in Sta. Barbara was led by Governor Niel Tupas and received by IPPO director, S/Supt. Ricardo de la Paz.

The ceremony was witnessed by Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) director C/Supt. Isagani Cuevas, provincial officials, local chief executives of recipient towns and Foroen Franssen, a police general from the Netherlands.

The P1.6 million-fund, which was used to purchase the said vehicles, was approved by the previous set of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Meanwhile, Cuevas extended his gratitude to the governor for the support the province has provided to the IPPO to better address criminalities happening in its area of responsibility. (PNA)
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Provincial News, Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Police to conduct school visitations

ILOILO CITY, June 9 (PNA)- Personnel from the Iloilo Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) will visit the different public elementary schools in the city to create awareness among teachers and elementary pupils on how to prevent crime.

ICPO’s Pollice Community Relations chief S/Insp. Lourdes Banzuelo said the dialogue is meant to prepare the students, parents and teachers in the event lawless elements strike in schools.

It is primarily meant to teach pupils on what to do and at the same time remind parents and school officials of their responsibilities in protecting the students.

Cases of cell phone snatching and pickpockets are the common problems encountered by police during the school opening.

Parents let their kids bring mobile phones in school that makes them easy prey of snatchers. There are also pupils who, in early age, go to school wearing jewelries, said Banzuelo.

She explained that children in primary grades must be briefed on how the criminals work. They can easily get the children’s attention and trust, she said.

The police will also distribute flyers on crime prevention during their visit in schools.

The schools are also encouraged to hire security guards to protect the students as well as the school’s properties.

The hiring of security guards should be deliberated and approved by the parents and teachers Association (PTA). The school could not afford to seek the services of blue guards.

The PTA’s intervention in hiring security guards is one ways of showing their participation and support to the school, said Banzuelo.

The presence of the blue guards is important especially with the no-uniform policy of the Department of Education (DepEd).

It will be difficult to determine on whether the pupils who are inside the school are enrolled and students of the school.

It will be a wiser idea for pupils especially those in the second grade to wear their uniforms aside from their identification cards for easy identification.

There are schools that are near the crowded streets and have the most number of elementary pupils, said Banzuelo.

Parents must also be briefed on the measures that they need to practice whenever they leave their house and bring their kids to school.

All the doors must be locked before leaving the house. Residential houses with no one left around are the target of the Akyat Bahay gang, said Banzuelo

Meanwhile, Banzuelo also reminded shoppers to take extra precaution while in the streets and inside the mall. Pickpockets might take advantage of the situation, she said.(PNA)
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PRO-6 welcomes 225 new police officers

ILOILO CITY, June 9 (PNA) – A total of 225 newly recruited police officers with the rank of Police Officer 1 (PO1) have taken their oath before Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 Director, C/Supt. Isagani Cuevas and National Police Commission 6 (Napolcom-6) Director Honey F. Paredes at the parade ground of Camp Delgado in Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City.

According to Supt. Ranulfo I. Demiar, the 225 recruits were among the 710 applicants who underwent selection process since the recruitment started last March 3.

He disclosed that the 225 police recruits comprised the quota allocations of PRO-6 throughout Western Visayas with the province of Negros Occidental having the most number of recruits at 90, followed by Iloilo with 85, Antique and Capiz with 15 each and Aklan and Guimaras with 10 each.

Demiar said the PO1s will undergo a six-month Basic Recruit Course Training at the Regional Training School 6 in Bakyas, Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod City and another six-month Field Training Exercise and a 45-day Internal Security Operations Training or Special Counter-Insurgency Operations Unit Training before they will be deployed for police duties.

Demiar noted that PRO 6 Personnel and Human Resource Development Division (PHRDD) records showed that there are 7,335 police personnel in the region.

Thus, in relation to the 6,843,643 population of Western Visayas as of the 2005 census, there is still a big variance between the ideal and actual police-population ratio of 1:500. (PNA)
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MAY

Provincial News, Wednesday, May 22, 2008

Police prevents NPAs atrocities in Aklan

KALIBO, Aklan, May 22 (PNA) - Police here claimed that the recent threat of atrocity from suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) in Buruanga town was successfully prevented.

This developed as the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) received an intelligence community report that some 30 armed men suspected to be NPAs were seen roaming around the hinterland areas of Buruanga, Malay, Nabas and Ibajay.

The Police Regional Mobile Group headed by Supt. Remus Canieso based in Negros Occidental was immediately deployed in the province to check the veracity of the report.

The intelligence report said that the NPA would attack Buruanga town during its fiesta celebration.

As soon as the police mobile group arrived in the area, a rainbow coalition composed of more than a hundred police personnel from threatened municipalities was formed.

Together, they proceeded to the hinterlands of the mentioned municipalities and talked to the barangay residents to confirm such report.

Senior Inspector Auxillio Dador, Boracay PNP chief in Malay, Aklan, said that he also sent 30 personnel to join the police operation.

"What we have prevented was the NPA's possible recruitment and organization of their ranks while they are in the province. If they have successfully done so they might have sabotaged a police station here," said Dador.

Based on the records of the PNP, the Buruanga Police station was once harassed by NPAs members. (PNA)

Provincial News, Wednesday, May 22, 2008

PNP creates task force to solve killing of Ajuy vice-mayor

ILOILO CITY, May 22 (PNA) – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) here created a task force to investigate the killing of Ajuy town vice mayor Ramon Rojas Jr upon the directive of PRO 6 director C/Supt. Isagani Cuevas.

The Task Force Ramon Rojas Jr. will be headed by Iloilo Police Provincial Office director S/Supt. Ricardo de la Paz and PRO 6 Operations Division Chief S/Supt. Cornelio Defensor as his deputy.

“These officers have some information regarding the peace and order situation in Ajuy. They will be supported by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Regional Investigation Division (RID),” Cuevas said.

In an interview over a local radio station here, Cuevas, who is in Bacolod City attending the Local Peace and Security Summit, said he has been receiving information after Thursday's morning shooting incident regarding an "intense political conflict in the area."

“We hope that this information will lead to the immediate solution of the case. Also, we hope that the people in Ajuy will provide significant information to our investigators,’ he added

Rojas was shot dead by two unidentified assailants while taking his daily routine walk at around 5:30 Thursday morning at Sitio Casamata, Brgy. Central, Ajuy.

The vice mayor was with Central Brgy. chairman Ferdinand Nacionales, who was able to escape from the assailants.

Cuevas said that he is not giving a deadline for the task force to resolve the killing but the PNP will "have a very intensified campaign against the killers of the vice mayor."

“We will try to do our best to immediately solve the case,” he said. (PNA)
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Provincial News, Wednesday, May 20, 2008

PNP-Bacolod reshuffling station commanders to improve service

BACOLOD CITY, May 20 (PNA) -- The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is reshuffling its 10 station commanders, hoping to further improve and intensify its anti-crime prevention drive amidst reports of rising crime incidents in the capital city of Negros Occidental.

“It is for the good of the service,” said BCPO director Sr. Supt. Ronilo Quebrar on the implementation of the first phase of the revamp of commanders that involved four police stations Tuesday.

Quebrar said the reshuffle will also enhance the crime-prevention and response capabilities of the police in the city.

Quebrar said effective Tuesday, Police Station 4 commander Chief Insp. Santiago Y. Rapiz will take the Police Station 1 formerly held by Chief Insp. Noel Mana-ay who was transferred to the BCPO headquarters.

The precinct 1 covers one of the largest areas in Bacolod, including the business district at downtown.

Senior Insp. Danilo Francisco of Police Station 7 assumed as the new Police Station 4 commander while deputy group director of the City Mobile Group (CMG) Insp. Reynaldo Auditor will take over Francisco's post.

Supt. Edgar Esparagoza, deputy city director for administration, spearheaded the command turnover rites.

Quebrar urged his men to "work harder for the community where you serve and deliver more than the public expect from you in the maintenance of peace and order."

He said the next phase of the revamp will take place very soon even as he urged the public to help the police fight crime by reporting any unusual activities and the presence of suspicious people in their community. (PNA)
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ICPO to make an inventory of banks, pawnshops

ILOILO CITY, May 20 (PNA) – Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Dir. Wesley Barayuga said he intends to make an inventory of banks and pawnshops in this urban area as a measure to prevent criminalities committed by lawless elements in the society.

This developed following the robbery incident that happened in an RCBC branch in Cabuyao, Laguna where the hold uppers successfully carted away around P15 million and killed bank's personnel.

To prevent hold up incident from happening here, Barayuga said, he would be requiring banks during the inventory to have their community circuit television and security alarm system connected with the nearest police station.

He said this will also be implemented on the pawnshops that are also prone to robbery.

Barayuga said there are now only a few banks in the city that have the necessary equipment.

He thus urged all banks and pawnshop owners to acquire the community circuit television and security alarm system to ensure prompt response of the police in case of crime incidents. (PNA)
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Provincial News, Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Intelligence seminar to better equip policemen

ILOILO CITY, May 14 (PNA)-– The three-day intelligence seminar that ends Wednesday hopefully would better equip policemen in Western Visayas who are assigned in the intelligence group in handling information against criminality.

The intelligence seminar which started last May 12 at the Philippine National Police Regional Headquarters, is participated in by both officers and non-officers from all over the region.

Spearheaded by the Regional Intelligence Division with Sr. Supt. Cornelio Defensor as the acting chief, the seminar is also intended to update the officers and non-officers about their functions and roles in curbing lawlessness in Western Visayas region. (PNA)
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No more two-day off, one day duty for policemen in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY, May 12 (PNA) - Policemen in Western Visayas will no longer enjoy their two-day off, one-day duty scheme with the proposed institutionalization of the daily three-shift duty introduced by Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) director, Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas.

Cuevas said the three-shift duty, which he also dubbed as 7-9-7, will correct the practice where policemen render a 24-hour duty of three days at eight hours a day. Thereafter the officer takes two days off.

With the 7-9-7 scheme, the first shift will start at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.; second shift at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and the last shift will be from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. the following day.

Cuevas said they would still continue to avail of their one-day off as mandated by the law.

The PRO 6 director believes that this new scheme will prevent policemen from getting into altercation likewise ensure a strong force in various police stations.

Cuevas is now proposing that the new scheme be institutionalized and probably replicated in other PNP offices in the country.

"This should be institutionalized because our chiefs of police sometimes no longer exercise their authority over their personnel and sometimes the discretion is being abused," he said.

He cited that since the 7-9-7 scheme was implemented two weeks ago as component of the "Mamang Pulis/Aleng Pulis Serbisyong Tapat at Malinis" program, the PNP has already conducted successful operations against holdup men in the region. (PNA)
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APRIL

Provincial Provincial, Tuesday, April 29, 2008

ICPO on alert, no untoward transportation strike incident

ILOILO CITY, May 12 (PNA)-– The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) headed by director Police Sr. Supt. Wesley Barayuga continues to be on alert although no untoward incident has happened because of the transport strike launched Monday.

Barayuga, while describing the transport strike here in Iloilo City as a failure, said that they will just continue to be on standby and be ready to assist stranded commuters.

The ICPO director said that there are 6x6 military trucks and police multi-cabs ready for deployment anytime.

He added that he has deployed police personnel to heighten police visibility in the different areas of Iloilo City just to make sure that no lawless element would take advantage of the situation.

Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Dir. Porferio Clavel said he too has not received any complaint from drivers or commuters since the start of the transport strike at 5 o’clock this morning in Iloilo city and the province.

He, however, reminded PUJ operators and drivers to conduct their transport strike peacefully until 5 o’clock this afternoon when they end their protest action to the increasing prices of petroleum.(PNA)

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Provincial Provincial, Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Crime incidents in W. Visayas decrease

ILOILO CITY, April 28 (PNA)-– Crime incidents in Western Visayas went down by 18.04 percent during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year.

From January to March, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) recorded a total of 636 crimes, or a decrease of 140 incidents compared with the same period last year, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) said.

Of the total crime volume, 404 or 63.52 percent are index like murder, physical injuries and homicide.

Physical injuries recorded the highest number with 142 cases; murder, 73 cases; rape, 66; homicide, 58; theft, 39 and robbery, 26.

The remaining 36.48 percent are non-index crimes like vehicular accidents.

The PRO6 reported that index crime decreased by 120 incidents or 22.

90 percent while non-index crimes went down by 20 cases or 7.93 percent.

The average monthly crime rate is 3.41 showing a decrease of 0.76 or 18.22 percent from 4.17 of the same period last year.

The crime solution efficiency was recorded at 94.81 percent showing a decrease of 0.81 percent as compared to 95.65 percent last year.

PRO6 Director Isagani Cuevas attributed the decrease to improved police visibility.

“We employed proper accounting of personnel. The scheme is 10 hours a day, six days a week. It improved the police visibility which helps deter criminalities,” said Cuevas. (PNA)
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Provincial News, Tuesday, April 22, 2008

PNP-Maritime 6 launches Oplan Nitrate in Negros Occidental

ILOILO CITY, April 22 (PNA) – Local police units in the coastal municipalities of Negros Occidental are enjoined to support the campaign of the 6th Regional Maritime Office (6th RMO) against dynamite fishing.

Supt. Cornelio R. Salinas made the appeal as Oplan Nitrate of the anti-blast fishing special operation task force (ABFSOTF) was launched in the province during the command conference of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) Tuesday.

Salinas said Oplan Nitrate has two objectives, namely the monitoring of the distribution of improvised explosives and the prevention of the movement of components used in making dynamites.

He said that it is also necessary for the local territorial police to establish a good network in the coastal communities to solicit their support for the campaign.

The 6th RMO with its Maritime Police Stations in Negros Occidental has been receiving reports of such illegal activity.

Salinas said that there were information that several fishermen were injured due to the premature blasting of dynamites before they were thrown into the water in Cadiz City. (PNA)
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Provincial News, Friday, April 18, 2008

Bacolod Police seizes 69 fake P1,000 bills

BACOLOD CITY, April 18 (PNA)-- Sixty-nine pieces of fake P1,000 bills were seized by elements of the Bacolod City Police Station 1 from a resident of Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, Thursday afternoon at Centroplex Commercial Complex in Bacolod City.

Chief Insp. Noel Mana-ay, station 1 commander, said that the 69 fake bills were recovered from the wallet of Jimmy Bermudo alias "Insik", 31, of Brgy. Chito, Kidapawan after a complaint filed by Bacolod resident Lerma Paredes who alleged that her P1,000 was switched by the suspect when she was about to pay for her bill at a food court.

According to Mana-ay, Paredes was looking for loose change for her P1,000 when Bermudo offered to give her two pieces of P500 bills. After a few minutes, however, the suspect asked her to return the bills since he also needed the loose change.

When Paredes was paying the cashier, the P1,000 bill was found to be fake. With the assistance of mall security guard Arnold Carpin, Bermudo was collared and turned over to Police Station 1, Mana-ay said.

The police station chief said Bermudo brought the 69 counterfeit money bills from Kidapawan, where he came from two days earlier.

He said that the suspect claimed to have relatives in Talisay City and Binalbagan town in Negros Occidental.

Charges for violation of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) 168 or illegal possession and use of false treasury or bank notes and other instruments, was filed Friday morning before the City Prosecutors Office against Bermudo in an Information Sheet numbered 08-673, Mana-ay added.

Bermudo remains detained at police jail, he said.(PNA)

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Provincial News, Friday, April 11, 2008

Iloilo City police campaign vs illegal drugs gains ground

ILOILO CITY, April 10 (PNA) – The city police’s aggressive campaign against illegal drugs is gaining ground as seen in the increase in the number of drug-related apprehensions by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The ICPO made the report during the monthly meeting of the Iloilo City Peace and Order Council (ICPOC) recently, although statistics was not made available as to the specific number of operations and apprehensions.

PDEA, however, in a separate report during the said meeting, disclosed that its supply reduction campaign this March has resulted in the apprehension of 25 persons including eight others who are in its watchlist.

The PDEA, in its report also during the ICPOC meeting, disclosed that the entire Iloilo City is now infiltrated with illegal drugs, compared with only 55 of the 180 drug-affected barangays in 2007.

The number of persons in the PDEA watchlist also increased from 64 in 2007 to 298 this year.

As early as first quarter this year, a total of 989 cases are already pending in court compared with only 909 cases in 2007.

With the tightened campaign, the PDEA noted an increase in prices of illegal drugs. Metamphetamine chloride or "shabu" is now priced at P7,000 per gram from P5,000; marijuana at P200 per plant from P25 and "ecstasy" at P1,800 from P1,500 per tablet.

Meanwhile, even as Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, who chairs the ICPOC, lauded its efforts, he said the law enforcers should also look into tapping the support of barangay officials and "tanods" or village cops for the campaign. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Saturday, April 05, 2008

PNP-Maritime creates task force to address blast fishing in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY, April 4 (PNA) – An anti-blast fishing special operation task force (ABFSOTF) was created by the 6th Regional Maritime Office (6 RMO) to monitor the distribution of improvised explosives and the movement of components that are used in the creation of dynamite blast in the territorial waters of Western Visayas and consequently take the necessary action.

The task force will operate with the support of coastal municipalities working on the intelligence gathering aspect and local and provincial police offices and the elements of the 6th RMO on the operation side.

Supt. Cornelio R. Salinas, regional chief of the 6 RMO, said they "will bring the war on the land side" as those who are engaged in illegal fishing activities such as dynamite fishing have fast moving assets faster.

“The coastal municipalities will give us the picture of the extent of the dynamite fishing operation. With this we need the support of the community, our coastal barangays,” Salinas added.

He disclosed that three weeks ago, dynamite fishing had caused the death of one fisherman while four others were wounded in Barangay Talutu-an in San Dionisio, a northern coastal town of Iloilo province.

Another case was also reported in Cadiz City in Negros Occidental several weeks ago.

Salinas said the accidents were caused by premature blasting of dynamites.

“These are indicators that there is blast fishing,” he said.

Blast fishing is apparent in Batbatan and Malalison Islands in Antique and the province’s coastal towns; Hintutulo Island situated between the boundary of Roxas City and Masbate; north Negros Occidental, specifically in Cadiz City going to Sagay City and in the northern towns of Iloilo.

Salinas said based on their monitoring, most of the components used in making explosives came from Masbate and Bantayan Island in Cebu City. (PNA)

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MARCH

Provincial News, Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Aklan cop exec bats for continuation of PNP’s integrated transformation program

KALIBO, Aklan, March 31 (PNA) – Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) director, S/Supt. Benigno Durana finds it a challenge to continue the implementation of the Integrated Transformation Program (ITP), a flagship project of the PNP central office.

S/Supt. Durana explained that some policemen, after going through the program, were now back to their old behaviors such as frequenting cockpits, being lax in implementation of security and inefficient in the performance of duties.

APPO was chosen as one of the pilot areas of the program, such that Durana was firm in his commitment to continue with the ITP to achieve the goal of making Aklan PNP a model office for the PNP organization.

In order to promote the ITP, Durana conducted surprised visits in various municipal police stations to determine how to promote the good performances of PNP stations and policemen.

“Example of these is that I find the New Washington PNP clean, they are participative in the community programs and projects. I hope to find more of these positive developments in the PNP stations as I go around the municipalities and give them commendations,” Durana said.

Durana added that he will hold accountable policemen who are violating the ITP.

Already, many of those violators were penalized to become cleaners and janitors in Camp Pastor Martelino for about one week to one month depending on the gravity of the violation.

The Aklan PNP was placed under the ITP because of the Boracay Island.

Policemen who are assigned in the island reflect how efficient and effective the APPO personnel in doing their tasks. (PNA)

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PRO-6 to penalize poor performing cops

ILOILO CITY, March 26 (PNA)- The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) announced Wednesday it will penalize those policemen who failed to perform their duties last Holy Week despite the Philippine National Police’s order placing the entire police force on full alert status.

PRO-6 regional director C/Supt. Isagani Cuevas said although the security measures enforced by police have contributed to the peaceful observance of the Lenten season, the PRO-6 will still go after those erring cops.

He said several policemen assigned at the Jaro PNP here will be held responsible for not reporting to duty last Holy Week.

Last week, amid lingering terrorist threats, police forces were placed on full alert status to thwart any sabotage.

The PRO-6 ordered city and provincial police directors to conduct rounds of inspection in bus terminals crowded with tourists and travelers going to provinces.

Police visibility was enhanced in public areas including bus terminals, airports, seaports and resorts.

Several police assistance centers, C/Supt. Cuevas said, have been set up in religious spots in the region to secure Catholic devotees.

Police officers coordinated with other government agencies to enforce security measures.

Last Wednesday, teams from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) visited terminals in the city exit points. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Tight security enforced in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, March 17 (PNA) – Tight security is now in place in Boracay Island following the arrest of two alleged terrorists in the island last week.

Sr. Supt. Benigno Durana, chief of the Boracay Task Force, said tight security has been put up after Romblon Rep. Eleandro Madrona and Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores made the call in their joint statement issued.

The two congressmen believe that the alleged terrorists are casing Boracay with the expected influx of tourists especially this Holy Week.

"Everything is now in place. We are in control of the situation and all the members of the task force would be on alert for the entire Holy Week during which tourists are expected to take their week-long vacation," Durana said.

Last week, operatives of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) arrested Muhammad Bani and Al Midzbar Bunajal who are believed to be members of the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group.

Report from Manila said that as of press time, Bunajal has been released by the ISAFP since no case was filed against him while Bani was put behind bars for his alleged participation in the 2001 Dos Palmas kidnapping.

The family of Bani denied his involvement in the said case. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Visayas PNP braces for Oplan Semana Santa

ILOILO CITY, March 17 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) here in Western Visayas will be placed on heightened alert with the needed security measures in place this Holy Week.

C/Supt. Isagani Cuevas, regional director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) based at Camp Delgado, said security measures will be tightened in all entry and exit points in the region this Lent season to avert any untoward incident.

He said uniformed policemen will be deployed in major seaports and airports as well as in various jeepney and bus terminals throughout the region to ensure the safety and security of the commuting public.

Police personnel will also be deployed in various churches and malls during the Lent season to insure the security and safety of church-goers and shoppers from being victimized by disgruntled criminal elements.

It is expected that passengers will flock to the various bus terminals during rush hours on Holy Thursday and Holy Friday for a vacation to their respective home province or a a get-together with families during the observance of the Lent season.

As this developed, the PNP will be putting up the Passengers Assistance Centers (PAC) in various seaports and bus terminals as well as in highways to provide prompt response to whatever exigency for both passengers and motorists.

These PACs will particularly be put up in Iloilo City, Bacolod City and Roxas City in Capiz, Guimaras and Caticlan in Malay, Aklan, where foreign nationals usually spend their summer vacation especially during Holy Week in the world-renowned island paradise and white-sand beach of Boracay Island.

The setting up of PACs is in line with Camp Crame’s yearly program dubbed “Oplan Semana Santa” in collaboration with several national line government agencies like the Health, Transportation and Communication, Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Coast Guard > The PNP aims to help passengers particularly domestic and foreign tourists to have convenient services in their travel.

The PRO-6 regional director likewise directed all PNP directors and towns police chiefs in the region to secure crowd of devotees in their respective localities where Lenten activities are being held.

Some of these prominent places where Lenten activities draw huge crowds are Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo and Zarraga, Banate and Alimodian municipalities in Iloilo province and other places in Aklan, Capiz and across Guimaras and Negros Occidental where there will be reenactment of the the sufferings of Jesus Christ.

Meanwhile, PCG-Iloilo commander, Cdr. Harold Harder, has warned various pump boat operators in mainland Iloilo and Guimaras to refrain from overloading passengers during the Holy Week.

Passengers particularly devotees and foreign tourists alike would likely flock to the island-province on Holy Friday to witness the yearly "Pagtaltal", a live passion drama reenacting the agony of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Harder also reminded ferry operators plying between Iloilo-Guimaras to always ensure their life jackets are available to passengers at all times, adding that passengers must also register their names in the manifest before boarding.

The PCG-Iloilo commander said they will not hesitate to punish violators who would blatantly neglect the required safety gadgets during sea travel. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Friday, March 07, 2008

Boracay police warns tourists against pickpockets

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, March 7 (PNA) - The Boracay Special Tourists Protection Office (BSTPO) here warned tourists who are planning to visit the island to be vigilant.

Senior Inspector Auxillio Dador said they are expecting not only the influx of tourists but also criminal elements many of whom will come from Metro Manila.

"Transportation from Metro Manila to Boracay is already very much accessible to potential criminal elements with the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) and or through airline companies. If tourists are not vigilant on their belongings, criminal elements may have lucrative business here soon," Dador said.

Dador said they should take extra care of their cellular phones, digital cameras and wallets.

In previous years, the Boracay police was able to apprehend group of criminal elements from Tondo and Cavite posing as tourists in this resort island.

Dador said, they are also mobilizing multipliers such as security guards, barangay officials and network volunteers to keep the peace and order in the resort island during peak season.

They also are bracing up for physical related injuries brought about by alcohol intoxication while staying in this resort island.

"My advise to tourists is drink and be merry but not too much," he said. (PNA)


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Provincial News, Thursday, March 06, 2008

Suspect in killing of broadcaster surrenders

KALIBO, AKLAN, Mar 5 (PNA) - After years of hiding, the prime suspect in the killing of former Bombo radio station manager Herson Hinolan surrendered to a regional trial court (RTC) judge here Wednesday.

Sr. Supt. Benigno Durana, provincial police director, said that former Lezo mayor Fred Arcenio gave himself to Judge Virgilio Paman of RTC Branch 7 at around 3:10 pm.

Arcenio who is facing murder charges, had sent feelers to surrender.

The government has put up a reward of P100,000 for anyone who could give information leading to the arrest of Arcenio.

Hinolan was fatally shot by the suspect on Nov. 13, 2004.

A certain Peter Melgar saw the killing. (PNA)

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FEBRUARY

Provincial News, February 26, 2008

Bacolod police alarmed by increasing night crimes

BACOLOD City, Feb. 26 (PNA) -- Alarmed by the increasing incidents of night crimes involving minors, police authorities declared they will strictly impose the liquor ban and curfew hours.

"It's our first step at reducing night crimes," Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director Sr. Supt. Ronilo Quebar said.

Aside from police visibility, Quebar has also sought the help of barangays in the implementation of the liquor ban and curfew.

Quebar warned operators of beer houses and bars to strictly obey local ordinances, prohibiting them from serving intoxicating drinks to minors.

"I am reiterating my warning against establishments which are serving liquors to minors," Quebar said.

Quebar has also reminded parents to closely monitor their children especially at night.

"The presence of fraternities and gangs has contributed in the rise of criminalities and these problems need participation not only of law enforcers but parents," Quebar said.

Quebar warned that police will not hesitate to impose arrests and penalties against violators of the city ordinances. (PNA)

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Provincial News

ICPO ensures no untoward incident on rally

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 25 (PNA)-– The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has ensured that no untoward incident will happen Monday as the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Panay and its allied organizations hold the rally in observance of the People Power I.

ICPO Dir. Wesley Barayuga said that the deployment of police personnel in the city proper particularly in front of the old Iloilo Capitol Building where the rally has already started at past 2 o’clock this afternoon is just to ensure that no infiltrator could join in their group to sow havoc.

“We would like to ensure that the rally will go on peacefully and that no element could take advantage of their presence there,” ICPO Dir. Barayuga said.

The traffic enforcer is also making sure that the rallyists could not impede the flow of traffic.

The militant group that has a permit to stage a rally Monday afternoon started to march around the city proper at about 1 O’clock, carrying their placards calling for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

They were joined in by a group of priests from the Philippine Independent Church (PIC) in their “sotanas” or white priestly robes.

There were also some Roman Catholic Church priests joining in the rally.

A PIC or Aglipayan priest said they are joining the rally for they would like the truth to come out.

He said that their Iloilo Archbishop Gaspar Banes is also joining in the cause.

The rally is,however, attended by a small number of people mostly from the militant groups.(PNA)

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Provincial News

2 students killed, 10 others injured in Negros Occidental town road accident

BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 25 (PNA) - Two high school students were killed while 10 others were injured, two of them still in critical condition, when a tricycle they were riding collided with a mini passenger bus around 8 a.m. Sunday in Moises Padilla town in southern Negros Occidental.

SPO3 Mario Flores, Moises Padilla PNP traffic investigator, identified the fatalities as Fritz Gerick Batallon, 15 years old of Barangay Bulad, Isabela town, and Peter John Tabanda, 15, of Barangay Aranda, Hinigaran town.

They are all 3rd year high school students of the La Consolacion School-Isabela (LCS-I) campus, Flores said.

Flores said injured were their classmates identified as John Mark Bicara, 15; Dexter Almojeda, 15; John Arnel dela Torre, 18; Jude Clinton Lopez, 15; Reynalyn Palmo, 15; Mike Robles, 15; Kenneth Flordeliz, 20; Miro Timbad, 15; Mark Anthony Jovero, 15 and Hazel Delgado, 15 -- all of Isabela town.

Delgado and Palmo remain in guarded condition as of Monday morning in two hospitals in Bacolod City, while some others remain confined at hospitals in La Castellana and Isabela towns, Flores said.

He said investigations showed that a Fuzo mini-bus driven by one Bobby Maque, 37, of Barangay Balukahag, La Castellana, while on a blind curve and downhill along the national road at Sitio Takasan, Barangay Magallon, Moises Padilla, collided with the tricycle with 12 students on board.

One of the students was driving the overloaded motorcycle, the police investigation said.

The students were on their way to a mountain resort for an excursion, Flores added. (PNA)

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Provincial News

PNP closes some major streets as Bacolod Diocese prepares to lead massive rally

BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 25 (PNA) - The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is now closing some major streets in Bacolod as it readies for the massive march-rally to start from five assembly areas in the city at 1 p.m. to be led by the Diocese of Bacolod and the United Negrense Yearning for Truth (UNYT).

Sr. Supt. Ronilo Quebrar, BCPO director, said they have started temporarily closing down some streets here to ensure that marchers who will converge at the Bacolod Public Plaza can conduct their activities peacefully.

Quebrar said the Philippine National Police (PNP) here is assuring the expected thousands of marchers and rallyists as well as those who may not join the mass actions, that the city police force is ready for any eventuality to protect them.

Quebrar said as of noontime Monday, they have completely deployed their men in key points of the city to preserve the prevailing peaceful and orderly situation in Bacolod.

"We will be on the sideline, making sure the people who wanted to express their sentiments will be protected as well as those who are not joining. We are also urging the rallyists to police their own ranks to avoid infiltrators who may take advantage of the crowd," Quebrar said.

He noted rallyists are now gathering at the five assembly areas they have chosen and they will pass through several major streets beginning 1 p.m.

A press statement dated today from the office of Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said the speaker at the rally here today will be Atty. Neri Colmenares, while the bishop will give his response.

The church-led rally here is in commemoration of the 22nd Anniversary of the EDSA I People Revolt, in support of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada’s testimonies on the alleged anomalies on the ZTE-NBN deal, and in seeking the truth behind the corruption that is happening in country, the statement said.

Expected to join the rally are representatives of the parishes under the Diocese of Bacolod, students, youths, civil society groups, the academe and labor organizations, it said.

The rally will be held at the public plaza where the marchers will converge. They will assemble at five areas which are the Capitol Lagoon, Villamonte Rotonda, Lupit area, and City Heights, and downtown.

Bishop Navarra in the statement, reiterated his call for everybody to join the massive rally, "to stand-up and do it".

The statement re-echoed the bishop's pronouncement last week that the rally is in consonance with the call of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for a communal action to seek the truth and fight corruption.

"I am inviting not only the Catholics but the other faiths and sectoral bodies to join so that the truth will come out on the corruption that is happening in the country today," he said.

Militant groups led by Bayan Muna and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Negros Occidental will also join the marches here, the statement added. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Friday, February 22, 2008

Knife-wielding robbers took 40 cellphones in 5 minutes

BACOLOD CITY, Feb. 21 (PNA) - Eight unidentified men armed with knives swooped down on a Bacolod downtown merchandising store during rush hour Wednesday night and carted away about 40 cellphones.

Bacolod City PNP Station 1 commander Chief Insp. Noel Manaay said the eight suspects overpowered two security guards of Unitop Marketing at Gonzaga Street fronting the public plaza here about 7:30 p.m. and robbed the store of mobile phones.

Manaay, whose station is only about 500 meters from where the store is located, said they are yet to get the estimate of the mobile phone units taken. He contended they are still conducting further investigations.

He said the store's security guards he identified as Roberto Antonio, 37, and Angelito Romales, 21, told investigators they were surprised by the armed men's raid at the store's entrance.

He said four of the suspects held the guards while the other four took the items from the shelves as employees and customers were looking on.

Manaay said it took some 20 minutes for Unitop employees to report the incident to them.

He said they are looking deeper into the incident which was carried out by suspected gangsters during rush hour and with many people still inside the store other than the numerous sidewalk vendors outside. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Friday, February 15, 2008

Cuevas bares thrust as new PRO 6 director

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 14 (PNA)-– Newly-installed Police Regional Office 6 (PRO 6) director, C/Supt. Isagani Cuevas exhorted members of the Philippine National Police(PNP) here to pursue with renewed vigor the operational thrust of the organization which focuses on anti-criminality, internal security operations and anti-terrorism.

Cuevas, who started his tour of duty on February 13, said street crimes and organized crime activities, particularly those that victimize the marginalized should be given attention.

He added that their campaign should also be geared towards high profile crime, drug trafficking, heinous crimes and illegal gambling.

For a start, Cuevas wanted the “anti-illegal drugs special operation task force from the regional down to the municipal and city stations reorganized by removing those who are unfit to perform the job and the anti-organized task units strengthened to address heinous and other high profile crime.”

“So that we have the necessarily qualified, morally upright and physically fit personnel needed for this official thrust, from now on all unit commanders shall continue to download all the Inspectors and PO1 out in the field so that visibility patrol and other personnel need of all units particularly the police stations shall be addressed,” he said.

Cuevas warned that erring personnel could not escape the long arm of the law as he wanted “a daily accounting of personnel at all levels of command with their disposition properly monitored and supervised.”

“Intensification of our counter-intelligence measure shall be made to detect and eventually arrest personnel who are involved in some illegal activities.

To complement this, the Integrity Task Force shall be created to arrest, investigate and file charges against PNP personnel involved in illegal drugs and mulcting or 'kotong' and to continue the conduct of drug test,” he stressed.

Cuevas expressed hope that with their renewed commitment they can “rise to the challenges of times, satisfy the expectations of the people of WV and enhance their individual and unit capacity.” (PNA)

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Provincial News, Thursday, February 14, 2008

Dulay quits as W.Visayas' top cop, bares gains

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 13 (PNA) - Retiring director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Sr. cited on Wednesday the successful conduct of national and local elections in Western Visayas as among his shining momments while in the police service.

Dulay, who just relinquished his post as chief of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) to Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas, told a crowd gathered for the turn-over rites that there was "no trace of electoral fraud" in the region/

He added that the gun ban campaign implemented in Western Visayas for the Commission on Elections by the Philippines National Police yielded 359 firearms, 14 explosives and a hand grenade.

It also led to the arrest of 351 suspects with 281 cases now filed in court.

"This is the result of our successful cooperation and teamwork. We proved that a well-placed plan and a proactive strategy can accomplish the job of protecting our right of suffrage," Dulay said.

Moreover, during his watch, 13 police stations in the region were constructed and the administrative buildings of Antique and Iloilo Police Provincial Offices were completed.

In terms of enhancing police mobility, a total of 57 mobile units to include 28 Toyota Altis, 7 Honda motorcycles, 4 Mitsubishi patrol jeeps and 18 Hilux units were distributed to various police units in the region.

"Our anti-criminality efforts yielded very encouraging results in the areas of illegal drugs and violation of special laws," he said.

During his 13-month stint, seven of the top most wanted persons in the region and 16 criminal gangs were neutralized, which he claimed "strike a blow to the organized crime rings."

"Our crime solution efficiency is 94.87 percent. These sterling performances have earned PRO 6 accolades from the national command and the private sector," he stressed.

Dulay retired from the police service after rendering more than 36 years in the profession. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Wednesday, February 06, 2008

PNP–Maritime intensifies monitoring on movements of mineral products

ILOILO CITY, Feb. 6 (PNA) – The 6th Regional Maritime Office (6th RMO) is now closely coordinating with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) here to ensure that mineral products being shipped through the Culasi Port in Roxas City, Capiz are properly documented and corresponding taxes have been paid to the government.

This, after the 602nd Maritime Police Station (602nd MARPSTA) in Culasi discovered that the exporter of a truckload of copper ore which was intercepted on February 1 while entering the port area failed to pay its excise tax to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Instead, the exporter, Alice Joy Ibañez of the Ridge Mining Engineering Services and Mineral Enterprise, paid only P3,000 to the municipal treasurer’s office of Pilar.

The 500 metric tons of copper ore were taken from Barangay Canapian of Maayon town supposedly for shipment to Kowloon, Hong Kong.

“I have instructed our team in Capiz to closely coordinate with the MGB to monitor any movement of mineral products there. Likewise, I encourage other exporters with related business to pay their taxes, prepare necessary documents and other legal requirements if they would want to engage in mineral products extraction,” Supt. Cornelio R. Salinas, 6th RMO regional chief said.

He recalled that they had also intercepted a shipment of coral sands and Capiz shells.

Meanwhile, the truckload of copper ore was also released after Ibañez paid P7,810.00 in excise tax. (PNA)
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Provincial News, Monday, February 5, 2008

Death by stoning for one who hacked his 2 nephews
By Armando P. Toga

BACOLOD CITY, Feb 4 (PNA) - If you are entertaining the thought death by stoning is perpetuated only in some arab coiuntries, you are wrong.
This kind of justice, which dates back to the time of when Jesus Christ stopped the jews from stoning Mary Magdalene to death "for being a whore," is still being practiced by some people in Negros.

Infact, a 50-year old man got stoned to death after he hacked his two nephews Friday evening in Pontevedra town in southern Negros Occidental.

Pontevedra PNP director Insp. Mary Rose Salve G. Pico said Ronie Ortizo was killed after his sister, Ludy Estiamba and nephew Benjie Ortizo allegedly stoned him to death at about 10 p.m. Friday.

Initial investigations showed, that the 50-year-old Ortizo, for unknown reasons, allegedly hacked and injured with a cane cutter, his nephews idenditifed as Alfred Abobot and Benjie Ortizo.

The machete delivered cuts to the different parts of the victims' body.

The investigation also showed that Estiamba tried to pacify the culprit, but the 50-year-old man allegedly became uncontrollable prompting them to throw stones that hit the sensitive parts of his body and got killed.

Insp. Pico said Abobot was brought to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod, while the young Ortizo and Estiamba voluntarily surrendered to the Pontevedra Police Station where they are presently detained. (PNA)

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JANUARY

Provincial News, Friday, February 01, 2008

Guimaras councilor shot dead; another wounded in ambush

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 31 (PNA)- A barangay councilor was killed while his fellow village official was wounded in an ambush early Tuesday night at a barangay in Jordan, Guimaras.

Killed in the ambush incident was 40-year-old Efren Gajardo, Jr., a barangay kagawad of Bulwangan, Jordan in the island-province of Guimaras. He succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds in the head and body that caused his instantaneous death.

Wounded, on the other hand, was fellow barangay councilor Vicente Magpusao who is presently recuperating at the Guimaras provincial hospital in Jordan poblacion where he was rushed from minor gunshot wounds he sustained in the different parts of the body.

S/Supt. Leo Puertollano, provincial director of Guimaras Provincial Police Office (GPPO), said the ambush incident happened at around 6:30 o’clock early Tuesday night.

The two village officials were on their way home onboard a motorcycle when waylaid by two armed suspects who sprayed them bullets while they were negotiating in a hilly and forested area in Sitio Igbantung, Brgy. Bulwangan, some seven kilometers away from the Jordan town proper.

The Jordan PNP and Guimaras provincial command immediately dispatched teams of police personnel to the area to conduct hot pursuit operation but failed to catch up with the fleeing ambushers.

Police recovered 13 empty shells of M16 armalite rifle and the victims’ motorcycle in the crime scene.

Investigators said that Magpusao was the likely target of the assailants but it was Gajardo who was unfortunately pinned by the raining bullets.

Citing testimonies of Magpusao’s wife, investigators theorized that the ambush incident could have been triggered by a long standing feud between Magpusao and relatives of his wife over a land dispute in their barangay, even as deeper investigation is presently ongoing in an effort to establish other possible angles behind the ambuscade.

Investigators have already the identities of possible suspects but declined to make them known for the meantime so as not to jeopardize ongoing police operation for their arrest.

The remains of the slain barangay councilor were brought to a funeral parlor in Jordan poblacion for proper disposition. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Iloilo City Police Office named best in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 28 (PNA) – The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is set to receive its Best City Police Office award during the Philippine National Police (PNP) Day celebration to be held at Camp Martin Delgado Tuesday morning.

The ICPO under S/Supt. Wesley Barayuga bested other city police offices from Western Visayas after being consistently named as the best city police office during the past three quarterly performance evaluations conducted by the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas extended his warmest congratulations to the ICPO although it failed to grab the best city police office award at the national level which was won by Baguio City.

“That’s sufficient already and I am happy that we are number one in Western Visayas. That only goes to show that our police are really working for the safety of our residents,” Treñas said.

Other awardees during the PNP Day include Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO), which was named best provincial police office; Roxas City, best city police station; San Jose Municipal Police Station in San Jose Antique for best municipal police station; 604th Provincial Mobile Group, best provincial mobile group; San Miguel Police Station for Best Rural Women and Children Protection Center and Cadiz City in Negros Occidental for Best Urban Women and Children Protection Center.

The PNP will also give recognition to individual awardees and various non-government organizations that have been supportive of the PRO-6. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Monday, January 28, 2008

Zero casualty during Dinagyang revelry -- PNP

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 28 (PNA) -– The staging of Dinagyang festival here was conducted peacefully with no casualty reported except for minor cases of trouble due to too much intake of alcohol.

Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, C/Supt. Wilfredo Dulay attributed this to the necessary preparations conducted by authorities to fully secure revelers and the media mileage given to the security aspect that discouraged those lawless elements to disrupt the festivity.

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), under S/Supt. Wesley Barayuga, deployed some 1,460 personnel during the three-day highlights while the 6th Regional Maritime Office (6th RMO), led by Supt. Cornelio Salinas, secured the ports and piers.

“I am happy with the turnout of our security preparations,” Dulay said. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Thursday, January 24, 2008

Porn, pirated discs seized, 10 persons nabbed in Bacolod mall raid

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 24 (PNA) -- A total of 5,000 pornographic and pirated video discs were confiscated in a raid Wednesday afternoon inside the Gaisano City Mall in Bacolod City.

Sr. Insp. Argel Ancheta, Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) intelligence chief who led the raid, identified those arrested as Sarah Ali, Joan Belleza, Rutchelle Arroyo, Maychelle Leduna, Pitie Ali, Glaiza Diola, Jasmine Rios, Irish Resmundo, Jean Torres, a certain Gremabelle and a 17-year old girl.

They were turned over to Bacolod PNP Station 8, he said.

Those arrested face charges for violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and Optical Media Board (OMB) law, Ancheta said.

He said recovered during the raid were 5,000 video discs, nine TV sets, eight DVD players and six speakers.

Ancheta said the joint operation was conducted by the NOPPO's Special Operations Group-Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (SOG-AIDSOTF), the 612th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) and the Provincial Women's and Children's Concerns Desk. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Thursday, January 24, 2008

PNP recommends cancellation of permits of 3 security firms in Boracay

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, Jan. 23 (PNA) - Three security agencies may stand to lose their permits to operate with the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) now recommending their cancellation pending investigation of their involvement in various clashes in Boracay Island.

APPO director Sr. Supt. Benigno Durana disclosed that the permits of Panay Veteran Security and Investigation Agency, JVG Security Agency and Global Security Agency should be revoked.

"I have recommended the cancellation of their permits to operate because they have acted on their own interests instead of helping the police promote peace and order in the resort island," Durana said.

The five security guards whose name he did not divulge are facing murder charges after they were found positive of powder burns in a paraffin test conducted by the PNP Crime Laboratory.

An investigation also continues on 15 security guards who were involved in land dispute.

"After we finish investigating the other security guards, we might as well release them for humanitarian reason because we believe they might just be victims of the circumstances," Durana said.

Meantime, the police will soon invite the Tapuz and Tupaz camps to discuss with them their responsibilities once another incident would happen.

Each claim ownership over the 3,000-square-meter lot in Brgy. Manoc-manoc in Boracay.

Durana, however, warned that clashes related to land dispute may continue to erupt in the future unless the issue of land ownership will be resolved by the higher court. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Gov. Tupas' SOPA inspires police

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 23 (PNA) -- Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) director Ricardo de la Paz said that the state of the province address (SOPA) of Gov. Niel D. Tupas, Sr. has inspired and motivated the police to double their effort to maintain peace and order in the province.

“We’re very inspired and happy that the governor mentioned his plan to continue law enforcement enhancement capabilities,” Sr. Supt. De la Paz said.

With this support from the provincial government, the police director said that they are motivated to double their effort and performance to maintain peace and order in Iloilo.

In his SOPA Tuesday, Gov. Tupas said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has performed commendably in fighting criminality and illegal activities from day one of his incumbency as governor.

“The incidence of highway robberies, cattle rustlings, kidnappings and other major crimes have been kept to a minimum level during the last six years,” the governor noted.

Because of this, the provincial chief executive said that Iloilo has sent a strong signal that it is a safe place for the people and visitors but not for criminals.

As part of the said law enforcement enhancement capabilities, the governor said that he will allocate additional resources to improve the mobility, communications and even firepower of the police forces.

More patrol vehicles will be provided to make police visibility more prominent in all areas of the province. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Fighting cock rob gang busted in Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 22 (PNA) - A notorious fighting cock robbery gang operating in the entire Negros Occidental was finally busted by operatives of the Himamaylan City Police Office Monday after a series of follow-up operations.

Chief Insp. Armando Tubongbanua, Himamaylan PNP director revealed to PNA that three apprehended members of the gang include Antonio Villegas, Michael Villegas and Silverio Peduhan, all residents of the city.

Tubongbanua said the suspects were arrested at Sitio Batayanan in Barangay Urong after stealing 30 heads of fighting cocks worth some P100,000.

He said the operatives were tipped about an armed group in Barangay Buenavista and when policemen came they were eventually cornered.

The Villegas Rob Gang, he said, was intercepted with the assistance of the 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) led by Sgt. Winifred Ychalan.

Recovered from them during the follow-up operations were 10 heads of fighting cocks.

The PNP chief said the suspects are presently detained at the Himamaylan police jail.

"We hope to collar the others who belong to the group. We have already busted them because these three are their leaders," he said. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Thursday, January 17, 2008

Kalibo PNP bats for zero-vehicle policy during Ati revelry

KALIBO, AKLAN, Jan. 16 (PNA) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) here has urged motorists bound for the annual Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival to follow traffic rules as they will implement the zero-vehicle policy this coming Saturday and Sunday.

SPO1 Rene Armenio, Kalibo PNP Traffic chief, said the zero-vehicle policy will be implemented along the route of the street-dancing activity and the religious procession on Sunday afternoon.

"The reason for this new policy developed after discussions with the media, stakeholders and other agencies. We want to prevent a traffic jam that may hinder the flow of the revelry," Armenio said.

Exempted from said policy are police patrol cars, emergency vehicles such as ambulance and fire trucks and media vehicles covering the event.

Politicians' vehicles will be asked to coordinate with traffic enforcers so they can pass through the streets with less hassles.

"We also ask residents around the festivity that their cars will be allowed entry and exit provided that they will have their own parking areas inside their homes," Armenio said.

For his part, Supt. Arnold Ardiente, Kalibo PNP chief, said at least 804 police enforcers will augment the revelry and some of them will be detailed in 1 PNP assistance centers around Kalibo.

The Kalibo PNP started Wednesday implementing the traffic-rerouting policy and asked motorists outside Kalibo to just follow traffic signs for the smooth flow of traffic during the entire revelry. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Boracay PNP on red alert following clashes

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, Jan. 15 (PNA) - Elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in this resort island have been placed undern a maximum red alert status following the clash of two groups resulting to the death of an ex-soldier and wounding of two others.

SPO1 Auxillio Dador of the Boracay PNP identified the victim as ret. T/Sgt Vicente Maming while wounded were a 12- year boy and a security guard.

Reports said Maming attempted to take over the contested lot in Sitio Cagban, Barangay Manoc Manoc here reportedly owned by Gov. Carlito Marquez.

"But the detailed security guard of the contested lot fought back killing Maming in the process and injuring the two. We also recovered several slugs of gun at several nearby houses," Dador said.

Currently, the security guards of Triple A are under police custody with homicide possibly to be filed against them.

Just recently, at least 43 security guards were simultaneously arrested by the PNP in a separate contested lot in Barangay Balabag, Boracay and facing charges of alarm and scandal including illegal possession of firearms.

The PNP admits that land-grabbing has been a perennial problem in this resort island involving influential personalities. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Negros town cops get additional cash incentives for zero crime

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 15 (PNA) -- Policemen of La Castellana in southern Negros Occidental will receive additional cash incentives starting this month for achieving zero crime during the town' festival after nine years.

In an interview with the Philippines News Agency, Sr. Insp. Raymond Maningo, the town's Philippine National Police chief, expressed appreciation to the local government, led by La Castellana Mayor Alberto Nicor, for giving an additional P500 monthly cash incentives per policeman.

“This will motivate the men to further improve their performance and to better serve the community,” Maningo said.

Twenty-three town police officers, including the police chief, will avail of the additional allowance every month.

“This is because for the first time in the nine years of the Bayles de Luces festival, there was no reported incident, minor or otherwise, thus achieving zero crime from the festival’s opening salvo on December 30, 2007 to January 5, 2008,” Maningo said.

Part of the incentive, he also said, is a set of PNP-General Officer’s Attire or GOA uniform brought by the mayor.

"With this kind of support and recognition of our work, we are set to accomplish more and intensify the campaign against crimes within our area of responsibility," he said. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Bacolod PNP sets up tourist assistance desks in precincts

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 15 (PNA) -- The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is into maximizing crime prevention as it sets up tourist assistance desks in its 10 police precincts here in support of the city's tourism program.

Sr. Supt. Ronilo Quebrar said the local police is also maximizing crime prevention and other security measures at the Bacolod Public Plaza to ensure 24-hour safety for the public.

Quebrar said the local PNP is not only establishing tourist assistance desks in all its sub-stations but also also organizing a separate group of policemen to primarily help tourists and their concerns.

Selected officers from each precinct will undergo seminars and trainings for this purpose, the police said.

Part of the program, the BCPO head also said, is to step up operations against commercial sex workers, ambulant vendors and beggars at the public plaza, and to detail policemen 24 hours a day.

Tourists and Bacolod residents, he said, can now stay at the plaza round-the-clock for picnics and recreation.

However, he said they will discourage anyone who will again attempt to make the plaza their nightly sleeping quarters. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Monday, January 14, 2008

City dad's movie house raided for lewd films

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 14(PNA) - A movie house at a public market area, owned by a city councilor, was raided by police operatives Friday afternoon in Silay City, Negros Occidental for showing lewd films.

Sr. Insp. Rico C. Santotome Jr., Special Operations Group-Anti Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (SOG-AIDSOTF) head said the operation resulted to the arrest of four theater staff, and two minors who were watching bold films.

Santotome said Wilmar Theater is owned by Warlito Go, a councilor of Silay City. There were 33 pieces of pornographic video discs, a Sony widescreen, projector, numerous movie tickets, a DVD player and P820 cash confiscated.

Apprehended were Teresita Ferrer, 68, and John Oñate, employees of the establishment.

The two minors who were watching inside when the raid was conducted were turned over to the Silay WCCD.

Santotome said charges for violation of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act (RA) 7610 or Anti-Child Abuse Law have been filed against the suspects who are presently detained at Silay Police Station.(PNA)

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Provincial News, Saturday, January 12, 2008

Iloilo city cops ready for Dinagyang fest

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) –- The Philippine National Police here is all set and ready for Dinagyang Festival slated January 25 to 27 this year.

Police senior superintendent Wesley Barayuga, Iloilo City PNP director, said they can manage the security preparations even without augmentation from the Police Regional Office.

“I have already finished the plans for ‘Oplan Dinagyang 2008’. My men already know what to do during the festival highlights,” Barayuga said.

Nine groups of policemen will be detailed in various sites, including the four performance areas.

He said there will also be six canine to help the police ensure the safety of the performers and revelers.

Dubbed as the country’s top tourism event last year, Dinagyang festival is expected to gather almost a million local and foreign tourists and visitors to witness the yearly event here in honor of Señor Santo Niño. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Friday, January 11, 2008

Iloilo PNP hopes to maintain last year's accomplishments

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) – The Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) vowed to continue its successful campaign this year against crime and illegal activities perpetuated in the province.

Police senior superintendent Ricardo De la Paz, IPPO director, said they have accomplished a lot last year.

He noted that in the last quarter of 2007 alone, the IPPO captured nine suspects in the series of highway robberies in the province.

Anti-illegal fishing operations also apprehended 237 illegal fishermen, with 61 fishing boats impounded by the police.

There were 71 persons arrested for illegal gambling, while 24 suspects were linked to illegal drugs.

Policemen also confiscated 167 loose firearms during the course of their campaign.

De la Paz likewise boasted their capture of 496 wanted persons in Iloilo.

“We will try to sustain our achievements of the past year and carry it over this 2008,” he assured. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Pagdilao, on deck as WV PNP chief

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 8 (PNA) -- Continuity in the effective and efficient delivery of public service by the Philippines National Police is once again demonstrated with the recent assignment and assumption of Police Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, as Deputy Regional Director for Administration (DRDA) here on Monday.

As a matter of fact, Chief Supt. Pagdilao, expressed full support to all of the efforts of Police Regional Office 6 Dir. Wilfredo Dulay and the Philippine National Police (PNP) program roadmap.

Pagdilao, who, until recently was the chief spokesperson of the PNP, is believed to have been pre-positioned to assume as PNPregional director as soon as Dulay reaches his mandatoryu retirement age of 56 on February 14, this year.

Pagdilao, who is a lawyer, said that the PNP program roadmap which was developed at the PNP national headquarters to improve the image of the police officers as a protector of the people rights, would be implemented in all police offices nationwide.

He said however that the timing and manner of its implementation would vary depending on the people, culture, resources and local government units cooperation.

In Western Visayas, programs such as the Anti-"Kotong" and "Mamang Pulis" programs will be implemented to improve the image of the police officers. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Kalibo PNP starts campaign against petty crimes in preparation for Ati-Atihan fest

KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 7 (PNA) – Elements of the Kalibo PNP have started campaigning against petty crimes, specifically snatchers and robbers, to ensure the safety of revelers during the Ati-atihan festival next week.

Supt. Arnold Ardiente, Kalibo Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said they wanted to ensure the peace and order of the 796-year-old festival, dubbed as the "Mother of Philippine Festivals".

In previous years, cases of robberies and snatching complaints flooded the Kalibo police desks.

The police expect that snatchers and swindlers from nearby provinces such as Bacolod and Iloilo will troop to this province soon.

"Since last week, we already removed the 'peryahan' in the poblacion and asked them to transfer to other places. We suspect that some people in the peryahan might be harboring the criminals," Ardiente said.

Already, the municipal government of Kalibo has stopped issuing business permits to mobile vendors, particularly those selling stuffs like balloons and foods.

"I could not see logic because mobile vendors came from as far as Bacolod City to sell balloons. Analyzing their possible economic gains, it is impossible for them to profit much if they just sell such stuff to the revelers. They must have other agenda in mind while as they insist to sell similar items in this town," Ardiente said.

If they insist, transient vendors are advised to bring identification cards for reference.

"In previous years, we have noted that some vendors didn’t bring with them identification cards or even community tax certificates," Ardiente said. (PNA)

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Provincial News, Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Pedicab driver gets award for returning lady cop's service firearm

BACOLOD CITY Jan. 7 (PNA) -- An 18-year-old pedicab driver was awarded cash by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director after he returned the lost service firearm of a police officer assigned at the Special Operations Group-Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (SOG-AIDSOTF) on Christmas Eve.

SPO1 Fresco Lobaton of Murcia Police Station told PNA that Randy Martinez Dizon, a pedicab driver, endorsed to him the bag he recovered while on his way home along Circumferential Road in Bacolod last December 23 evening. Dizon’s uncle advised him to entrust the found baggage to Lobaton who will return it to the owner, a fellow police officer.

The bag was owned by PO1 May Escarda of SOG-AIDSOTF and contained her 9mm Beretta pistol, a reserved magazine with ammunitions, money and wallet, all intact and returned safely to her by Dizon through SPO1 Lobaton.

Sr. Supt. Rosendo Franco and PO1 Escarada went to Murcia Police Station and claimed the bag, the gun and the other items and gave Dizon cash reward as a way to thank him as well as enjoy Christmas Eve with his family, Lobaton said.

Franco lauded Dizon and Lobaton’s trustworthiness to exhaust all means to return the items to its rightful owner, worth emulating by others. (PNA)

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