News releases.....
July 10, 2008
SIGNING OF JOINT
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)
----------On issues concerning Internal Security Operation at the Conference Room, of the Police Regional Office 9 at Camp Col. Romeo A Abendan, today at 9:00 o’clock in the morning. The said memorandum is in connection with the issuance of EO 546 which mandates the Philippine National Police to directly undertake an active support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in terms of Internal Security Operation (ISO) for the suppression of insurgency and other serious threats to National Security amending certain provisions of Executive Order No. 110 series of 1999. Executive Order 546 mandates a stronger coordination and partnership between the PNP and the AFP in the maintenance of peace and order in the area of responsibility. The MOU stipulates that the 1 st Infantry Division, PA shall continue as the lead role in undertaking the Internal Security Operation with the active support of the Police Regional Office 9. It also involves coordination of any official visit and troop movements and wearing of proper uniform and use properly marked military/police vehicles during the visits to facilitate identification. Both PNP and AFP Shall have a common stand on issues for press releases, interviews and press conferences on matters pertaining to ISO undertakings and coordinate the conduct of any Civil Military Operations (CMO) and Police Community Relations (PCR) activities. Both Parties shall treat all sites of violent incidents as crime scenes.
-----------The PNP shall assume jurisdiction on the conduct of investigation and the filing of cases in courts. Both Parties shall make available for debriefing apprehended or surrendered members of threat groups and allowed access to capture documents/materials under their respective custody. Joint checkpoints may be established for tactical maneuver during government initiated or enemy offensive action in order to seal off enemy’s avenues of approach or escape. Lines of communication shall be established using radios, cell phones and other means to facilitate immediate action on ISO-related incidents among the different units of the parties and shall encourage their respective commanders to conduct exchange visits, joint operations, augmentation teams, and to mutually share intelligence. The agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless otherwise amended or revoked through a formal and official instrument.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[March 10, 2008]
LIQUEFIED SHABU AMONG ITEMS SEIZED IN LAB RAID
---------Police Superintendent Edgardo D Lenizo, Chief regional police crime laboratory disclosed that one of the chemicals recovered in the follow-up operations, after the discovery of a shabu laboratory in Barangay Lamisahan, this city, is a liquid form of shabu.Supt Lenizo said that this was the latest findings of their examination in some of the seized chemicals during the follow-up operations.He said the volume of the liquefied shabu is estimated to be 300 milliliters and it only needs one process to be converted into a crystalline form of shabu that is being sold to drug users.The liquefied shabu were among the chemicals seized at the residence of alleged shabu laboratory Weng Li Yang, 42, a Chinese national and that of his friend, Lucky Ong, also a Chinese national, in Barangay Tetuan, Supt Lenizo said.He said the rest of the confiscated chemicals were shipped to the police crime laboratory in Camp Crame for further analysis.
---------Meanwhile, Western Mindanao Police Chief, Director Jaime G Caringal said that what were being produced at the laboratory in Barangay Lamisahan are unfinished products and is being transferred to another laboratory in this city to avoid detection for processing into finish product which is in crystalline form.Yang and three of his workers are presently detained at the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center while Ong and Yang’s wife, Janet, are still in the custody of the police after they signed a 15-day waiver.Moreover, PDEA Regional Director, Police Supt Adzar Albani said a combined group of law enforcers composed of officials from the court, prosecutor’s office, police and PDEA agents conducted an ocular inspection of the shabu laboratory in the remote village of Lamisahan. The inspection was part of the new policy as stipulated under RA 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.The group also inspected Yang’s residence and that of Ong where the delivery van containing chemicals believed to be used inn the manufacture of shabu was recovered. The shabu laboratory is being guarded by policemen, Barangay officials and village watchmen of Lamisahan. In a continuous operation, police and PDEA agents through the help of village officials have discovered four boxes containing shabu chemical precursor dumped in a vacant lot in Marcos Drive, Barangay Putik, east of this city. Albani said the boxes were similar to the ones that were recovered in the Lamisahan laboratory contained the same name of persons and contact numbers. It was shipped from Laguna to this city and estimated to be more or less P3 million pesos when processed into finish form of shabu.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[March 3, 2008]
AMATEURS BANK ROBBERS NABBED, STOLEN MONEY RECOVERED
Police in Ipil Town arrested three persons tagged as the principal suspects in a daring bank robbery of a commercial bank in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and recovered the money intact in the amount of Php 500,000.00, a report reaching this office disclosed yesterday. Police Superintendent Jose Bayani L Gucela, Police Information Officer identified the arrested bank robbers as Joselito Siason, Rafael Resurreccion and Petronio Simara, all of legal ages and native of Barangay Mampang, Zamboanga City. Gucela said that bank heist was discovered by Mr. Edgardo Osayo, Manager, PCI Bank Branch in Ipil Municipality, when he discovered that the safety vault was destroyed the following day and immediately sought assistants to the police.
Investigation disclosed that prior to the incident, Mr. Osayo hired the three suspects who were experienced construction worker to repair and at the same time install vinyl tiles inside the bank safety vault and it was then discovered that the money was missing the following day. Responding Ipil policemen led by Sr Inspector Ariel Huesca, Chief of Police arrested the three construction workers to shed light regarding the disappearance of the money in the safety vault. At the height of the investigation, one of the suspect identified as Joselito Siason broke his silence and confessed that it was his idea who masterminded the robbery and told the police where he hide the money. The police recovered the money still intact hidden underneath a file of stone tiles at the back of the establishment. The Php 500,000.00 was properly turned over to Mr. Osayo, PCI Bank manager in the presence of several employees of said bank.
As this develop, Police Director Jaime G Caringal, Police Regional Director lauded the quick and precise response of the Ipil Municipal Police in the recovery of the stolen money and encourage other law enforcer units in his area of responsibility to act quickly in all police matter that need police intervention and to assist the public whom we sworn to protect.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Feb 27, 2008]
Western Mindanao Police Chief, Director Jaime G Caringal presented to media this morning the living person of Mr. Weng Li Yang, a Chinese national allegedly behind the operation of a shabu laboratory in Barangay Lamisahan, this city and who was arrested at the Marriot Hotel in Cebu City yesterday about 1:40 in the afternoon. PRO9 Spokesperson, Police Superintendent Jose Bayani L Gucela said that the 42-year old Yang, alias Andy Yang has a temporary residence at Tomas Claudio Street and it was his wife who convinced him to surrender to the joint police and PDEA agents headed by Police Superintendent Roman Arugay, Chief of the Investigation Section, Zamboanga City Police Office. Yang and his wife were flown back to Zamboanga City and from the Domestic Airport, the alleged drug lord was escorted by policemen and motored to Camp Batalla to be presented to the regional police director.
Superintendent Gucela said that Mr. Yang was positively linked to the busted shabu laboratory operations in Barangay Lamisahan last Friday, and was also tagged as operator of the shabu manufacturing in Alfaro and Estrada Streets, in Barangay Tetuan, that were also raided by the police and PDEA agents. Meanwhile, police recovered yesterday morning a white Tamaraw FX allegedly owned by Mr. Benjamin Jamora, an ally of Mr. Yang in the illegal shabu operation. The vehicle was discovered at the house of one Jesus Cuartocruz y Manuel, 58, a mechanic, and resident of Toribio Drive, Barangay Pasonanca. Cuartocruz claimed that Jamora left the vehicle at his residence and told his wife that he want his vehicle to be fix by him. That it was only when he heard in the radio station the involvement of Jamora in the illegal operation prompting him to report immediately to the police the whereabouts of the vehicle. It was recalled, during a follow-up operation, police recovered a cargo van vehicle loaded with millions of pesos worth of assorted chemicals and drugs paraphernalia intended for manufacturing shabu inside a rented house owned by a municipal judge in Estrada Street, Barangay Tetuan, last Sunday morning. The vehicle with plate number YFB-969 was confiscated from a certain Lucky Ong, a Chinese national who is temporary residing in Barangay Sta. Maria and who was also renting an apartment in Barangay Tetuan as his alternative house. The seized items contains: Five half-filled containers of different sizes containing white crystalline substances, 10 blue drums loaded with liquid chemicals, several self-sealed packs containing black and brown powders, drugs apparatus and other empty containers. Yang is now under the custody of the police and undergoing investigation while a case for Violation of Republic Act 9165 known as the Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 is being readied against the suspect for filing in court.
JANETH YANG LUCKY ONG RUDYARD PAYTO EDGAR RICO --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Feb 12, 2008]
POLICE SEIZED 280 DRUMS SODIUM CYANIDE
Operatives of the 9th Regional Mobile Group, Community Action Center (9RMG COMPAC) stationed in Sitio Gatas, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte seized Wednesday dawn a large volume of illegally shipped sodium cyanide allegedly owned by a prominent businessman in the province. PRO9 Information Officer, Police Superintendent Jose Bayani L Gucela said the shipment was intercepted around 4 a.m. Wednesday along the highway that links Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay.--------Gucela said the police team led by SPO1 Arsenio Pimentero were manning a checkpoint when they intercepted a 10-wheeler truck loaded with some 280 drums of sodium cyanide. The truck is driven by Edwin Solomon, 31, was on its way to the town of RT Lim in Sibugay province coming from Kalawit municipality when intercepted. When policemen accosted the truck driver, the latter presented only a photocopy of the Bill of Lading for the transport which is not a requirement to shipped the said chemicals. To legally allow such transport, the shipper should bring with them a permit to import including that of the authorized dealers where they purchased the chemicals, Gucela added. Sodium cyanide is a poisonous white salt used in fumigating, in manufacturing of steel and dyes and in extracting gold and silver from ore. Gucela said the cargo truck was turned over to the custody of the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) in Liloy Municipality for proper disposition while the driver of the vehicle was placed under further investigation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Feb 12, 2008]
CARINGAL INSPECTS PRO-9’s NEW SITE IN PAGADIAN CITY
Western Mindanao Chief Police Director Jaime G Caringal led police officials in inspecting the new site of the Police Regional Office 9 at Camp Balintawak in Pagadian City last Friday. Director Caringal was joined in the trip by Traffic Management Office 9 Chief, Sr Supt Cristeto Rey Gonzalodo, 9th Regional Mobile Group Director Supt Lurmer Detran, Logistic Officer Supt Edwin De Ocampo and Sr Inspector Ronilo Capispisan. After the inspection, Caringal and party also made a command visit in Zamboanga Sibugay last Saturday. Director Caringal said it will take three months to rehabilitate the four buildings and the construction of concreted camp fence with barb wire before the PRO9 will be occupied.
-------- Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Director, Sr Supt Ramon M Ochotorena briefed Director Caringal on the status of the four buildings at Camp Balintawak intended for the PRO9. The main administration building will house the offices of the Regional Director and his staff officers. One building is located at the entrance of the camp and another building is occupied by troopers of the 9th Regional Mobile Group. Director Caringal directed PRO9 Engineer SPO1 Federico B Doris to bulldoze the other side of the camp and make the terrain level. It was previously a firing range which will be transferred to the back of the camp. Camp Balintawak was formerly used as a training ground for the police. The police regional director also directed SPO1 Doris to make an estimates on how many meters of electric wire and water pipe to be use that will bring electricity and water to the four buildings.
The command visit to Zamboanga Sibugay PPO was intended the peace and order situation in the area and to check the general welfare and morale of the police assigned in the area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Feb 8, 2008]
SEVEN VANS LOADED WITH IMPORTED HEAVY EQUIPMENTS SEIZED
---------A joint operation made by operatives of the Traffic Management Group 9, the Maritime Police and agents of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group 9 (PAGS) led by Superintendent Ed Benigay seized on Monday morning seven 40-footer containerized vans loaded with imported heavy equipment at a container yard in Barangay San Roque, this city.
The confiscation of the goods that came from Taiwan was made because of under-valued tax payment.
----------PRO9 Information Officer, Superintendent Jose Bayani Gucela said that only seven out of eleven containerized 40-footer vans were intercepted, the other four vans managed to escape and brought by shippers somewhere in Zamboanga del Norte province before the arrival of the joint operatives.
----------Gucela based on report disclosed that the owner of the vans whose names were not revealed, only paid Two Hundred Forty Eight Thousand pesos (P248,000.00) for custom and importation tax, but base on the investigation jointly conducted by the group, revealed that the payment is under valued. Gucela said that a representative of the owner shipper identified only as Mr. E Ibol attempted to bribe the police official in the amount of Ten Thousand pesos (P10,000.00) for the released of the vans, but was apprehended by the raiding policemen.
-----------Meanwhile, the same operating group figured in a near armed confrontation with Tawi-Tawi Mayor and his bodyguards at a local wharf when the lawmen apprehended three hot cars belonging to the said local executive that were imported with under valued tax payment. The mayors group were disarmed by policemen led by PSr Inspector Armando Bucoy and PAGS agents. A criminal case has been filed with the City’s Prosecutors Office against the mayor and his followers.
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ABU SAYAFF MEMBER NABBED AT LOCAL WHARF
[Jan 21,2008]
Police Regional Director, Director JAIME G CARINGAL confirmed yesterday that the man who was arrested at the local wharf on January 11, 2008 is a true blooded member of the dreaded Abu Sayaff Group. In a press statement, the police regional director disclosed that Usman Asari had a pending warrant of arrest for Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention issued by Judge Danilo Bucoy of the Regional Trial Court, Branch-2 under the 9 th Judicial Region of Isabela City. Director Caringal said, Asari-a Jolo based ASG was apprehended by combined operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division, 9 th Regional Mobile Group and special agents of the Transportation Security-DOTC, after he alighted from M/V Trisha Christine II from Tawi-Tawi. Asari was involved in the 2001 kidnapping in Tumahubong, Basilan and in Sipadan Island , Malaysia last April 2000 where 18 foreigners and three Filipinos were seized and brought to the mountains of Bilaan, Patikul, Sulu.
The arrested Abu man is a follower of ASG sub-leader Murphy Laja of Pandami, Siasi, Jolo Sulu and also linked to the group of deceased ASG leader Ghalib Andang, alias Commander Robot. The arrested Abu man admitted his involvement and participation in ASG atrocities in Sulu. Director Caringal said a witness, who is a former ASG member now under the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice in coordination with City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron positively identified Asari as one who is covered in the warrant of arrest. Asari remains under the custody of the police pending his turnover to the court for litigation.
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[Jan 21,2008]
ARMED MEN RAID MINING SITE, ROB GOLD PANNERS
Seven armed men raided a small-scale mining site at Kilometer 18, Sitio San Isidro, Brgy Upper Bunguiao, this city and robbed the gold panners of gold granules weighing 50 grams and other valuables yesterday morning. A quick response of the police and military in the area prompted the bandits to release the small-time miners and fled towards the deep forest going to the watershed. Two of the victims identified as Eusebio Diabordo and Joseph Alfonso met with the responding military and elements of the Sangali police station led by Chief Inspector Jesus Belarga, along the path leading to Kilometer 18. Police Sr Supt MANUEL BARCENA, City Police Director in his report to Police Director JAIME G CARINGAL, regional director, said the gunmen harassed six houses and forcibly took the valuables of the occupants who were mostly small-time miners. The gunmen took from Diabordo, 50 grams of gold granules and cash amounting to P32,000.00 while Alfonso told the police that the raiders also took from him several personal belongings.
SSUPT BARCENA said that aside from the gold and valuables, the gunmen also took several livestock animal from the hapless residents of the place. As this develops, the police and the military aided by CAFGU volunteers are on the hot trail of the fleeing armed group.
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Camp Colonel Romeo Abendan, Mecedes,Zamboanga City