PROCOR arrests 21 for drugs and gambling
As the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) continues in some parts of the region and some parts downgraded to General Community Quarantine (GCQ), Police Regional Office Cordillera also intensifies its war against illegal drugs and gambling which resulted in the arrest of 21 over the weekend.
In an operation against illegal drugs in Barangay Bahong, La Trinidad, Benguet on the morning of May 3, 2020, nine (9) Suspects were caught red-handed while in the act of having a pot session. They are identified as Jonathan Gabriel Nabe, Norson Palasi Cabigat, Perkins Galuba Bentriz, Johnson Visaya Lucas, Randy Palasi Cabigat and Christian Lorence Puguon Doccog. Meanwhile, Junior Ticnang, Richard Gannaban Bueno and Arvin Rodico Alvendia were collared inside a nipa hut in Talaca, Agbanawag, Tabuk City, Kalinga on the afternoon of May 2, 2020. Along with their arrest was the confiscation of four (4) plastic sachets containing suspected shabu; assorted aluminium foil; improvised aluminium totter; and two (2) lighters.
Moreover, Anselmo Pineda Nava was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Ap-apid, Tinoc, Ifugao on the morning of May 3, 2020. Confiscated from his possession were one plastic sachet containing suspected shabu, buy-bust money and one lighter.
Furthermore, Ull Bryner B. Carbonel was arrested in Purok 7, San Juan, Tabuk City, Kalinga on the morning of May 2, 2020 by virtue of a warrant of arrest. During his arrest, one (1) plastic sachet containing suspected shabu; 16 heat sealed transparent plastic sachets containing residues; aluminium foil; and lighter were confiscated from him.
On the campaign against illegal gambling, ten (10) individuals were arrested while in the act of gambling in Abra.
Suspects Rodolfo B Bandolin, Joseph P Bisares, Jocelyn M Buemio, Fernando A Bandolin, Lolita B Bisares and Salvador P Buemio, all residents at Alinaya, Pidigan, Abra were arrested thereat on the afternoon of May 1, 2020. While George Tamayo Isao, Romy Javier Ta-a, Dante Claor Cardona and Walter Pacapac Blando, all residents of Barangay Badas, San Juan, Abra were likewise arrested on the afternoon of May 2, 2020.
Collected pieces of evidence were two sets of playing cards, one (1) set mahjong tiles, 53 playing chips, two (2) dice, and a total of Php970 bet money.
PROCOR chief commends SAP beneficiaries who waive cash aid for other families
Police Brigadier General R’win Pagkalinawan extends his gratitude and expresses his admiration to the supposed SAP recipients who chose not to receive the cash aid distributed throughout the region by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the different Local Government Units (LGUs) saying that this kind gesture reflects the upright characteristic of Cordillerans, their resiliency towards crises like this COVID-19 pandemic, and their concern for others.
“It is very heart-warming to experience that amidst this crisis where almost every day is a struggle, people here in Cordillera do not think of getting more for themselves; rather, they share what they have so that everyone can be satisfied,” he said.
Since the start of the distribution of the SAP in April this year, numerous individuals who are registered in the shortlist of the LGUs to receive the funding declined the support saying they believe they are overqualified under the parameters set by the DSWD, emphasizing that other families are more deserving.
Most of the reasons why they chose not to receive financial assistance are because they have enough for their families and have continuous compensation while others were simply honest since some of their spouses were already recipients in other places, government employees, and/or 4Ps beneficiaries.
Adding up the figures gathered from the provinces of Abra and Benguet, more than a hundred SAP beneficiaries waived the Php5,500.00 cash aid while other provinces are still consolidating their data since the distribution is still ongoing.
PBGen Pagkalinawan said he is confident that the funds allotted to address the concerns of the less fortunate here in the Cordillera region are appropriately given to the right families. Part of the salaries of all Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel were committed to the Social Amelioration Fund for COVID-19, not to mention other initiated programs like the “Kapwa Ko Sagot Ko”, Adopt a Family Program, and other charitable efforts of the PROCOR.
“Times of crisis should be moments where everyone must really be “brothers’ or sisters’ keeper”, and I am very honored to witness that here in the Cordillera, You can feel the sincerity, selflessness, and harmony of the people, not only through individual and organizational efforts, but especially in inter-agency collaboration.” He said.**
