Police to disband 131 private armies in Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PNA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is stepping up efforts to disband 131 active private armies in Samar provinces in a bid to ensure honest, orderly, and peaceful elections on May 9.

Reports reaching the police regional headquarters show that private armed groups (PAGS) with 158 firearms thrive in Calbayog City and nearby towns within the first congressional district of Samar province. At least 39 of these private armies have warrants of arrest.

The Montealto group based in Calbayog City has the most number of members at 65, followed by the Moloboco group with a force of 44 armed men based in nearby Sta. Margarita town. These two groups are in control of 129 firearms.

Sr. Supt. Brigido Unay, chief of the police regional intelligence division said that 22 private armies are also active in the towns of Matuguinao, San Jorge, and Gandara. These areas have been consistently identified as hotspot during elections period.

Members of private armies have been tagged by the police as behind the recent series of killings in Samar’s first district.

“As the election draws near, utilization of PAGS by unscrupulous politicians are expected. We will conduct sustained police operations, targeting PAGS and armed elements even after the elections period,” Unay said.

Dismantling of private armies is listed as the top priority of Samar police provincial office since last year.

In 2015, the police formed a special team tasked to disband private armies with the help of the military. (PNA)
FPV/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Ormoc police traps two top fugitives

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Jan. 12 (PNA) – The city police here has scored anew on its anti-crime operation following the arrest of two fugitives on Monday.

The local police nabbed Ramon Liston, 42, for allegedly raping a minor in 2011. The fugitive has a standing court case of rape since 2012 and on the list of top wanted by the city police station 3.

Chief Inspector Joel R. Camacho said the suspect initially resisted during the arrest, but eventually cooperated with the cops.

Liston was charged for raping a minor. The Regional Trial Court Branch 12 Presiding Judge Clinton C. Nuevo issued the warrant of arrest on March 29, 2012.

Acting on the civilian’s report, Sr. Supt. Ferdinand Garay formed a composite team from City Public Safety Company (CPSC), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), City Intel Branch (CIB) and police station 3 who successfully arrested Liston at the city hospital.

Garay lauded his men for the capture of the station’s top wanted.

In a separate operation Monday afternoon, cops arrested Carl Jayson Rios, 19 at his house in Macabug village, this city. He’s been hiding for one year after the court issued a warrant of arrest for theft case.

A joint team of police composed of City Public Safety Company (CPSC) led by Chief Insp. Joel Camacho and police station 1 headed by Chief Insp. Hilario Monteron, Jr. conducted manhunt operation.

Initially, Rios evaded arrest, but eventually showed cooperation, according to Camacho.

Three charges of theft were filed against Rios resulting in the release of his arrest warrants in 2014.

Clinton C. Nuevo, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12, Ormoc City issued Rios’ alias warrants with bails recommended at PHP10,000, PHP20,000 and PHP10,000 for each case.

The arrested fugitive is ranked 10 of wanted persons at the city police station 1. (PNA)
FFC/ELVIE ROMAN ROA

Ormoc’s most wanted person falls

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, Dec. 23 (PNA) – While most people are on holiday mode, the City Public Safety Company (CPSC) of Ormoc City Police Office (OCPO) arrested on Tuesday evening the city’s most wanted, who was charged of murder.

Fugitive Gerald A. Villamor, 23, jobless and resident of Naungan village initially resisted when the cops nabbed him at his common law wife’s house in District 26. He was standing at the main door when the operatives arrived, leaving him no opportunity to escape.

Due to reports that Villamor is heavily armed, the cops used an “element of surprise” tactic, at the same time cautious since the suspect’s partner is seven-month pregnant, said team leader Chief Insp. Joel Camacho.

The operatives were equipped with arrest warrant issued by Presiding Judge Girlie M. Borrel-Yu of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 35. No bail was recommended to Villamor, who was charged for killing a student in 2011.

City Director Senior Supt. Ferdinand Garay lauded his men for arresting the city’s top wanted that offered this as a “gift to the people of Ormoc.”

Once again, he thanked the support of the community that led to the arrest of the fugitive. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/Elvie Roman Roa