AGENTS of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Group (PNP-IG) are literally not giving all wanted persons in the country any time to sleep amid a directive from PNP chief, General Debold M. Sinas for them to help account for all lawbreakers still on the lam over the years and prevent them from committing more crimes on the streets, the Journal Group learned yesterday.
Last week, the PNP-IG headed by Brigadier Gen. Warren F. de Leon hauled to jail 21 wanted persons, all the subject of warrants of arrest issued by different regional trial courts nationwide.
The Regional Intelligence Unit 8 in Eastern Visayas arrested seven of the suspects while the RIU 5 in Bicol region and the RIU-National Capital Region each caught three. On the other hand, the RIU 4-B, in Mimaropa region, the RIU7 in Central Visayas and the RIU10 in Northern Mindanao each arrested two wanted men.
Among those sent to jail by the PNP-IG last week were Rodente Domingo, a wanted murder suspect in Ballesteros, Cagayan since December 1998; Ian Sumalde, wanted for murder in Daet, Camarines Norte since January 2017; Artemio Sinilong, a wanted rape suspect in Gumaca, Quezon since June 2011; and Teddy Rojo, a man wanted for two counts of rape in Romblon, Romblon since January 2019.
Also arrested by the PNP-IG last week were Rakelo Adolfo, wanted for carnapping in Davao City since June 2017; Jaime Corcuera, wanted for rape in Pateros, Metro Manila since April 2012; Joverto Salvan, wanted for murder in Pateros since December 2018; Rustico Albolera Jr. wanted for two counts of sexual assault in Maddela, Quirino since last month; Mark Vergel Narciso, wanted for murder and attempted murder in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro since November 2019;
Leon Arquines, wanted for rape in Dagupan City in Pangasinan since last April; Martin Baday, wanted for two counts of rape in Maddela, Quirino since last February; Jomar Felix, wanted for murder in Malabon City since March 2009;
Raymond USon, wanted for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in Angeles City, Pampanga since last January; Rexnel and Alex Magalong, both wanted for murder in Tabaco City in Albay since last February; Arnold Bajade, wanted for carnapping in General Santos City since February 2016; Justine Mateo, wanted for murder in Tacloban City since December 108;
Melvin Refuerzo, wanted for frustrated murder in Agoo, La Union since March 2014; Rene John Darapisa, wanted for direct assault upon an agent of a person in authority in Cabarroguiz, Quirino since last February; Ariel Dello, wanted for rape in Sorsogon since July 2017; Rovic Igot, wanted for robbery in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu since December 2020; Eduardo Ebale, wanted for murder in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte since last March 29; and Jerwin Guboyan, wanted for rape in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan since February 2008.
Sinas and his Command Group composed of PNP Deputy Chief for Administration, Lieutenant Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne R. Binag and PNP Chief Directorial Staff, Lt. Gen. Joselito M. Vera Cruz have commended the PNP-IG for a job well done in accounting for most wanted persons in the country apart from going all-out against terror gangs and their supporters.
The Journal Group was told that over 1,000 wanted persons and other lawbreakers have been neutralized by the PNP as a result of ‘intelligence packets’ provided by the PNP-IG since November last year.
The efforts of the PNP-IG have been lauded by the PNP leadership which noted that intelligence information developed by the unit enabled them to further advance their all-out campaign against criminality and terror and help keep the streets much safer 24/7.
Official PNP records showed that from March 26 to last April 1 alone, the PNP-IG arrested 53 wanted persons and caused the surrender of 250 New People’s Army members and active supporters.
Among those arrested during the period were three NPA rebels, two most wanted persons carrying a total bounty of P265,000 offered by the Department of Interior and Local Government and 18 other most wanted persons.
Those PNP-IG-led operations likewise resulted in the seizure of 19 illegal firearms, 10 grenades and 18 improvised explosive device (IED) components.
From November 25 to last March 22, the PNP-IG’s campaign against local insurgents had also resulted in the arrest of more than 30 NPA members, the surrender of nearly 700 others and the killing of two armed rebels.
Also seized by the PNP-IG as a result of those operations were 37 assorted high-powered firearms and dozens of different live ammunition.
PNP-IG officers also accounted for 19 most wanted terror suspects, majority of them members of the ISIS-inspired Abu Sayyaf Group and their affiliates, convinced 15 others to yield to the government and launched operations which led in the killing of eight heavily-armed terrorists following gunbattles with officers. A total of 23 powerful guns were confiscated from the terrorists who were neutralized.
During the same period, PNP-IG operatives also captured 405 wanted criminals in the country, 13 of them among the country’s Most Wanted Persons with reward money put up on their heads by the Department of National Defense and the DILG.
Also arrested during the same period by the PNP-IG were 66 Regional Most Wanted, 108 Provincial Most Wanted, 56 City and Municipal Most Wanted and 92 Other Wanted Persons.
Over the past five months, the Unit also accounted for nearly 100 wanted crime gang members and over 10 Partisan Armed Group members and confiscated over 150 assorted firearms that may have been used or still could be used in the commission of crimes.
PNP-IG-initiated operations during the period also resulted in the arrest of 41 known drug traffickers and the killing of another in a shootout with undercover officers. Eight guns were recovered from the arrested suspects.
The PNP leadership also lauded the PNP-IG for its role in their continuing internal cleansing program. So far, the PNP-IG under De Leon has already led operations which resulted in the arrest of five rogue police personnel and the seizure of three firearms. Another good news is that no PNP-IG personnel has been found to be involved in any illegal activity since Sinas took over as the 25th PNP chief last November 10.
Under the stewardship of De Leon, a member of PNP Academy Class 1993, PNP-IG operatives have been making daily accomplishments in the campaign against most wanted persons, terrorists and other criminals thru the launching of an honest-to-goodness ‘intelligence work’ anchored on solid cooperation with the community and their other intelligence counterparts.
