Sunday, September 08, 2024

Tag: Police Regional Office

Town engineer survives slay try

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (March 06, 2024) – A town engineer of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, escaped death when she was shot inside the Municipal Engineering Office afternoon on March 4, 2024

The legal-age female victim got a gunshot wound to her right forearm.

 

She was taken to Cabanglasan Municipal Health Office for medical treatment before being referred to Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center (BPMC) in Malaybalay City for additional care.

 

Police Major Dino M. Cuevas, OIC of Cabanglasan Municipal Police Station (CMPS), stated in his report that the suspect was a male Foreman of legal age.

 

Report said the suspect proceeded to the Municipal Engineering Office and saw the victim in the pantry area, at which point he uttered threatening words.

 

The victim and her colleagues ran to evade while the culprit discharged his unknown caliber handgun, hitting the victim’s right forearm.

 

After the incident, the suspect immediately fled away.

 

However, at around 8:00 p.m. on the same day, the suspect voluntarily surrendered himself to Cabanglasan MPS.

 

The suspect is now in the custody of Cabanglasan MPS. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

 

 

NorMin police awards 13 lady officers for field achievements

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (March 04, 2024) – The Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) on Monday awarded 13 women officers for their respective achievements.

 

In line with the celebration of National Women’s Month this March, the PRO-10 recognized female police achievers under four categories.

 

Receiving the Medalya ng Kadakilaan (Medal of Excellence) were Corporals Cheryl Jacob and Cherry Ann Litub.

 

On the other hand, the Medalya ng Kasanayan (Medal of Skills) was given to Major (Maj.) Maricris Neri, Captain (Cpt.) Maritel Ocon, and Lieutenant (Lt.) Nera Cabrera.

 

The Medalya ng Papuri (Medal of Commendation) were awarded to Colonel (Col.) Michelle Arban, Lt. Col. Estela Chavez, Maj. Jiselle Ester Lou Longakit, Cpt. Emilita Simon, Lt. Ruby Jimenez, and Chief Master Seargent (CMSgt.) Ritzell Labadan.

 

Meanwhile, CMSgt. Julie Ann Won and Staff Sgt. Michelle Apao received the Medalya ng Ugnayang Pampulisya (Police Relations).

 

As a special guest, Gilda Go, governor of Rotary International District 3870, emphasized the evolving role of women in society, highlighting their capacity not only within the confines of their homes but across the entire nation.

 

“I am committed to amplifying the voices of women, to breaking down barriers, and to championing gender equality in all its forms,” she said during her speech.

 

Anti-drug bust campaign

 

In another development, Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., the PRO-10 director, said an estimated PHP1.8 million worth of illegal drugs were seized from 80 operations in the region from Feb. 22 to 28.

 

The operations resulted in the arrest of 84 individuals and the confiscation of approximately 272.891 grams of shabu and 2.54 grams of marijuana.

 

“We will continue to intensify our operations against illegal drugs, gambling, and other criminal activities. Together, let us build a region where everyone can live, work, and do business,” he said.

 

On anti-illegal gambling, PRO-10 police stations conducted nine operations, resulting in the apprehension of 17 individuals and the confiscation of PHP2,945 worth of illegal gambling items.

 

In neutralizing wanted persons, PRO10 also apprehended a total of 81 wanted individuals.

 

In addition to the campaign against loose firearms under “Kontra Boga,” PRO10 conducted 52 operations that led to the arrest of 15 individuals and the seizure of 38 small arms and two light weapons. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

NorMin police, PDEA intensify cleansing ranks of illegal drugs

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 17, 2024) – Law enforcement agencies will remain vigilant in going after illegal drug use and trade, even against those within their ranks, an official assured Wednesday

Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., the Police Regional Office-10 (Northern Mindanao) director, said the police force is committed to an intensified internal cleansing program.

“We will not hesitate to take swift and decisive action against police personnel involved in any illegal activities,” Layug said in a statement on Wednesday.

Layug’s statement came after the recent anti-illegal drug operation on Wednesday at Barangay Carmen here, where a 32-year-old male police corporal was arrested for allegedly using “shabu” with two other individuals.

Seized from the suspects were shabu drugs worth PHP13,600 and other paraphernalia.

Col. Salvador Radam, city police director, said the operation against the erring police officer is part of clearing the organization from illegal drug involvement.

“As we continue the conduct of random drug testing, I warn every personnel caught in engaging such illegal drug activities and who violates the law will surely face charges accordingly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Benjamin Gaspi, the regional chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-10), said they are also conducting their own “internal integrity program” to remove agents involved in illegal drugs.

Gaspi, a lawyer, said PDEA has supported not only the enforcement aspect but also the rehabilitative programs for the recovery of persons who used drugs.

Based on PDEA-10 records, 1,484 of the region’s 2,022 barangays have been declared drug-cleared while 156 were categorized as drug-free. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

4 injured in fireworks factory blast in Bukidnon

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Dec. 30, 2023) – Four individuals – two men and two women – sustained second-and third-degree burns in an alleged explosion in a fireworks factory in Balangay 9, Barangay Poblacion, Quezon, Bukidnon, on Friday, December 29

The victims were taken to the Simbulan Hospital in the neighboring municipality of Don Carlos, Bukidnon, and are in stable condition, the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office said.

Initial investigation said that the victims were allegedly engaged in the production of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices prior to the explosion. The assistance of the Explosive Ordnance
Disposal was needed as authorities wanted to conduct an in-depth investigation and assess the legality of the establishment.

Quezon police Chief Major Noel Cano said they are still waiting for verification from the Firearms and Explosives Office at the Police Regional Office-10 to determine if the establishment is registered to produce firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

“If they are not registered, we will check the legal remedy or legal action that we can take\ against them so that the victims can benefit,” Cano told the Manila Bulletin on Saturday, December 30.

Cano added that the victims were manufacturing fireworks that will allegedly be used for the New Year countdown of the local government unit of Quezon. He said they are looking into this as the fireworks should be ordered and they should not be manufacturing them.

The EOD, together with the Bureau of Fire Protection, has cleared the area of possible hazardous materials. No houses were affected as the area is isolated.

The Department of Health-Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) has recorded nine cases of firecracker-related injuries in the region as of December 29 – three cases each from Bukidnon and this city, two from Misamis Occidental, and one from Iligan City.

The agency recorded 10 cases of firecracker-related incidents from December 21 to January 6 last year.

Cases in Quezon, Bukidnon, have yet to be included since they still need to be validated by the reporting unit, said DOH-10 officer-in-charge Dr. Ellenietta Herunaidna Maria Victoria Gamolo in a text message on Saturday.

On December 12, the DOH-10 released a memorandum to all its personnel, including development management officers, human resources for health, contract of service personnel, DOH hospitals, medical health centers, and other health agencies to implement Code White Alert from December 21 to January 6, for the observance of the Yuletide season and Fireworks Related Injury (FWRI) surveillance, including firecracker-related tetanus cases, until January 21.

Under Code White Alert, DOH-10 response teams and committees “shall be on standby, on-call, and report to the office immediately in case of any emergency situation.”

As part of the safety precautions to ensure that no illicit firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials are supplied to the public, especially to youngsters, random inspections in markets and other locations will be strictly enforced, the Bukidnon police said in a statement on Saturday. (Frank Dick Rosete/Manila Bulletin)

NorMin 2023: New chapters, calls for justice

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Dec. 27, 2023) – Northern Mindanao will always have a story to tell every year. In 2023, the region did not disappoint, bringing in a considerable amount of national attention

In particular, Misamis Occidental province had more of that this year.

The aftermath of the December 2022 shear line floods compelled President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to visit the province and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental as well, in early January.

Marcos’ meetings with regional and local officials with Cabinet members have created long-term policies, especially in adding disaster-resilient infrastructure projects and social welfare programs.

Since then, the provincial government has rolled out cash assistance in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for flood-affected residents.

Crime, deaths

Misamis Occidental also brought stories that call for justice – one being the death of community broadcaster Juan Jumalon, who was killed while livestreaming inside his house in Calamba town on Nov. 5.

His death prompted a series of condemnations from media groups, public officials, and even Marcos himself.

Suspects were identified, and murder charges were filed.

The incident led Gov. Henry Oaminal to direct the provincial police and the Police Regional Office (PRO-10) to arrest the culprits and revisit the investigation of other assassination attempts.

These included the Oct. 15 blast in Clarin which hit his convoy; the Oct. 23 shooting of Calamba Municipal engineer Jopson Baones; and Oct. 28 grenade-throwing incident at the house of Calamba Mayor Luisito Villanueva.

Almost a month after Jumalon’s murder, the province will again mourn the death of Riza Ramos Daniel, 49, who was killed in a blast inside the Mindanao State University-Main Campus gymnasium in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur on Dec. 3.

Daniel was the mother of El Dritz, who was also injured in the blast, both of Tangub City. El Dritz was a third-year Computer Studies student at MSU-Main. Daniel decided to work in Marawi City to be closer to her son.

MSU-Marawi incident

The incident in MSU-Main brought the provincial government of Lanao del Sur and the Marawi City government together to coordinate with the police and military.

Within the week, the Islamic State militants claimed the attack, followed by the arrest of suspects Kadapi Mimbesa and Arsani Membisa, who are said to have links with local terrorist group, Dawlah Islamiyah. Both had prior arrest warrants for murder and kidnapping charges.

Other than Daniel, the three other fatalities were students Janine Arenas and Junrey Barbante, and faculty member Evangeline Aromin. The blast also injured some 50 people.

Change of command, anti-insurgency

Meanwhile, this year saw major changes in the region’s military and police leadership.

Maj. Gen. Jose Ma. Cuerpo II replaced Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag as the commander of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) in March. Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug also replaced Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop as PRO-10 director in October.

As soon the two assumed office, they had their hands full in continuing the mandates of the national government in securing the peace and order situation in the region.

The 4ID under Cuerpo continued its operations against New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, and even on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, troops under the 403rd Infantry Brigade killed 10 rebels in Bukidnon.

Cuerpo said the Army has maintained its position of allowing NPA rebels to surrender or face a military operation, wherever they may be in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

PRO-10 also accepted rebel surrenderers who brought in firearms and ammunition. Those who surrendered were assisted in the programs of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

On anti-drugs, Layug said the police has continued its anti-illegal drug campaign with a series of buy-busts in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

With the introduction of “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, PRO-10 followed suit in promoting a holistic approach to addressing illegal drug issues.

Village polls

Layug and Cuerpo would again have their hands full in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) that were finally held on Oct. 30 after several years of delay.

Police and military troops were deployed to keep the peace.

While reports of vote buying by the local chapter of the National Citizens; Movement for Free Elections, and tensions among supporters in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, both PRO-10 and 4ID reported a “generally peaceful” BSKE.

On election gun ban operations, PRO-10 reported that from August 28 to October 30, a total of 77 operations were launched that resulted in the arrest of 90 persons, confiscation of 55 firearms, 41 deadly weapons, 367 rounds of ammunition, and an explosive.

But in Lanao del Sur province, which is part of the Bangsamoro Region, the BSKE was marred with heated confrontations among political supporters, voting delays in precincts, and occasional violence that led to a death in the town of Butig.

Rice, economy

The limited rice supply and increase in its prices prompted the national government to issue Executive Order 39, which put a ceiling on prices and provided assistance to affected farmers and small-scale retailers.

Bukidnon province, the region’s food basket, was also affected by drought that some had attributed to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon being experienced in the country.

However, according to the Department of Agriculture, the lean months between August and September would be offset by the fresh harvests that came in October.

And so it did, as the Philippine Statistics Authority Region 10 released its monthly inflation reports and regional economic status in the following month, showing a rosy picture of the regional economy. The National Economic and Development Authority-Region 10 forecasts a stable overall economy for 2023.

Based on the 2022 gross regional domestic product, NEDA-10 Director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño said Northern Mindanao achieved a GRDP of 7.2 percent or PHP935 billion, compared to the 6.3 percent growth in the previous year, which was impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. (By Nef Luczon/PNA)

Pamilya patay sa aksidente sa Cabanglasan

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Isa ka pamilya ang patay human mabangga-e og pick-up truck ang ilang gisakyan nga motorsiklo sa Cabanglasan, Bukidnon

Base sa report sa gma news.com, ang mga biktima giila nga si Nathaniel Montellano, iyang asawa nga si Verlinda, ug ilang 4-anyos nga anak nga si Lexine.

Matod sa taho nga na-angol sab ang ilang pag-umangkon nga si John Paul Agsula.

Sumala sa mga awtoridad, nahitabo ang trahedya sa pakurbang bahin sa national highway sa Barangay Capinonan niadtong Nobyembre 4 sa buntag.

Ang pick-up truck nga gimaneho ni Charlou Camaso, nawala sa linya sa kalsada ug nabangga-an niini ang motorsiklo nga gisakyan sa mga biktima.

Matod ni Police Regional Office-10 Spokesperson Police Major Joann Navarro nga sila magpahigayon sa dugang nga imbestigasyon.

Si Camaso gitaho nga posibleng mu-atubang sa reklamong reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injury. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)

New NorMin police chief to focus on community engagement

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Police Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., the new Police Regional Office-10 (Northern Mindanao) chief, wants to focus on community engagement to improve police service and their campaign against criminality

He bared his plans in his inaugural speech during the turnover of command ceremony between him and the outgoing director Police Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop at the PRO-10 headquarters in Camp Alagar, Barangay Lapasan, this city, on Tuesday, October 10.

Layug urged the police to continue building collaboration and dialogues with different stakeholders, emphasizing that the Philippine National Police (PNP) should not undermine the community’s contribution, especially in its fight against illegal drugs.

“Let us take time to step and set down with the people for us to listen to what they can share and what we can do together,” Layug said.

Community engagement is one of the five focused agendas of PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., along with personnel morale and welfare, integrity enhancement, information and communications technology development, and honest law enforcement operations.

Police officers and personnel were also reminded of the basics of public service – good manners and proper performance of duty with utmost respect and discipline – as Layug wanted all complainants and respondents who visit every police station in the region to smile because of exemplary police service.

Layug was appointed on October 2 by Acorda, who also served as Northern Mindanao police chief. PRO-10 covers the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, and the two highly urbanized cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Prior to his appointment, Layug, a licensed civil engineer, served as the chief of the PNP Engineering Service. He was a former chief of the PNP-Aviation Security Unit in the National Capital Region during the height of the bullet-planting controversy at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Layug is a member of the PNP Academy Tagapaglunsad Class of 1993.

Coop, on the other hand, asked the Northern Mindanao police to offer Layug the same support, loyalty, and dedication they showed during his leadership.

“I have full faith that the legacy of professionalism, commitment, and dedication we have built together will endure under the leadership of my successor, Police Brig. Gen. Ricardo Gonzales Layug Jr.,” Coop, who will retire on October 29, said in his message.

Under Coop who had served since August 2022, 8,305 crime incidents were recorded in the region, down 7.22 percent or 695 incidents compared to the previous year. The PRO-10 also had 96 drug-cleared barangays in the region, bringing the total to 1,462.

Coop cited a recent survey conducted by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines and the Mindanao Development Authority, showing that 91 percent of respondents trust the police, 92 percent respect, 89 percent feel safe, and 93 percent are satisfied.

When asked if there is a reshuffling of police officers after his assumption, Layug said he did not bring any police officer with him, saying that there are always excellent policemen wherever he goes.

After the turnover of the command ceremony, Layug conducted a command conference together with all city and provincial police directors in the region, who shared their briefing presentations to enable him to have a “bird’s eye view” of the peculiarities of their areas. (Franck Dick Rosete/Manila Bulletin)

Illegal drugs, firearms top violations in NorMin end of September

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Illegal drugs and unlicensed firearms were the top arrests at the end of September, the Police Regional Office in Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) reported on October 2

Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop, PRO-10 director, said the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) focused on various key areas of criminality, including the campaign against illegal drugs, and loose firearms. 

“The success of this operation serves as a clear message that the police, along with the support of the community and other agencies, will continue to prioritize public safety and combat criminal activities relentlessly,” Coop said in the report.

The PRO-10 report said the region-wide SACLEO netted 63 suspects, eight of whom belong to the list of most wanted persons.

Likewise, PRO-10 field units carried out 14 buy-bust operations, resulting in the seizure of illegal drugs worth PHP157,000.

Six suspects were caught carrying illegal firearms including several drug suspects.

Meanwhile, a 59-year-old male was arrested in Salay, Misamis Oriental, for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, for carrying a shotgun.

His arrest was a result of the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Election in preparation for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan on Oct. 30. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Northern Mindanao records 5.77% drop in crime volume

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NORTHERN Mindanao has recorded a decline of 5.77 percent in crime volume from January to July 2023 compared to the same period in 2018, the Police Regional Office (PRO) reported

According to PRO-Northern Mindanao Chief PBGen Lawrence Coop, from January to July 2023, the latest crime data showed that the total crime incidents have dropped to 8,667 compared to 2018’s 9,198 incidents covering the same period.

The region also saw a 3.54 percent decrease in crimes under eight focus crime and 2,420 anti-illegal drug operations conducted, which resulted in 2,696 drug personalities arrested and 1,539 drug cases filed in court.

Likewise, the PRO-Northern Mindanao seized 8,539 grams of shabu and 23,567 grams of marijuana with a total street value of P60,900,007.80.

Of the 1,866 drug-affected barangays in Northern Mindanao, 1,462 were already drug-cleared.

The PRO-Northern Mindanao also arrested 1,321 most wanted persons, one most wanted person with a reward, and 3,574 other perpetrators.

The police regional office also apprehended 1,313 persons for illegal gambling, confiscated P345,000 bet money, and filed 55 cases in court.

“PRO-10 (Northern Mindanao) was scored as highly satisfied by the 7,430 respondents in a study by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines for the first semester of 2023 regarding trust, respect, and community satisfaction with police service,” Coop said.

“Likewise, PRO-10 received ratings of 91 percent on trust, 92 percent on respect, 89 percent on safety, and 93 percent on satisfaction from 1,200 respondents in a separate study done by the Mindanao Development Authority for the second quarter of 2023,” he added. (Jo Ann Sablad/Sunstar)