The Ilocos Times

  BJMP regional office personnel along with a K9 dog inspect all the belongings of the female PDLs at the BJMP Laoag during the surprise “Operation Greyhound” on May 20, 2019. PDEA also conducted a surprise and random drug test for PDLs and jail personnel. (Doms dela Cruz) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Assistant Regional Director for Administration (ARDA) superintendent Florante Nisperos announced that Laoag City Jail remains ‘’drug free” after the recently concluded surprise operation greyhound on May 20, 2019. Mr. Nisperos said both the persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and jail personnel underwent surprise random drug tests. “In fact, very sanitized iti Laoag City Jail in terms of illegal drugs ken contrabands,” Mr. Nisperos said. BJMP Laoag J/Chief Insp. Herminigildo Rivera was thankful for the result and findings of the surprise “Operation Greyhound”. The recent operation feature

By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —The police in this city will continue to aggressively implement “Double Barrel”, the enhanced managing of police operations and the anti-illegal drugs campaign plan. Lt. Col Mar Louise Bundoc, Laoag police chief, made this announcement. Mr. Bundoc took over the city police’s reins on January 3, 2019. Records show that during his stay, they conducted 14 operations for “double barrel” including “buy-bust” operations from January to May in the different barangays in the city and all the arrested suspect landed in jail. Relative to this, Mr. Bundoc said Laoag is “generally peaceful” since the start of his stay in the city. He stressed that his stay in the city is challenging since he came during the election period. He, however, maintained that there were no elections-related incidents from the start of the election period until election day. The election period officially ends on June 13, 2019. In a related

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Incidence Response Management 911 in Ilocos Norte continues to save lives as quick-responders continue to act on hundreds of emergency calls over the last three years. With a growing number of callers every day, “Agent 5054”, a call taker at the PIRM center, reported that they receive an average of 50 calls per month or 600 calls annually. “Most of these cases are vehicular accidents next to health-related incidents and police assistance due to minor cases like nuisance and public commotion among others,” he said. Since it was launched on December 2016, the Ilocos Norte emergency hotline has grown from four call takers and one police officer on duty to 11 call takers and four police officers who take turns in a 12-hour shift. The center has a standby ambulance in front of the Capitol too. In 2018, the 911 Emergency Response Office was merged with the Department of Public Safety, adding two nurses an

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Ilocos Norte continues to be one of the most peaceful provinces in the country as it has been free from the clutches of the New People’s Army for the past seven years. Lieutenant Colonel Jearie Boy P. Faminial , commander of the 24th Infantry (Wildcat) Battalion, 7 th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division of the Philippine Army confirmed this following the first quarter joint Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting held at the Capitol auditorium, this city on March 18, 2019. As directed by an Executive Order signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on December 4, 2018, Mr. Faminial said they are focused on institutionalizing the “whole nation approach” to address insurgency and deliver basic services and social development packages in conflict affected areas. Fortunately, “Ilocos Norte is not included in this package as it has been insurgency-free since 2012,” Mr. Faminial point

Manila —Multinational forces began humanitarian and civic assistance projects as part of exercise Balikatan 2019 on March 12, 2019. Philippine, U.S., and Australian forces attended ground-breaking ceremonies for the renovation of three elementary schools in Orani, Bataan Province; Pangil, Laguna Province; and San Juan, Batangas Province as well as a health clinic in Moncada, Tarlac Province. Construction projects, health engagements, and community relations events will take place to improve local infrastructure, teach lifesaving medical skills, and strengthen ties between Philippine communities and Philippine, U.S. and Australian military forces. The events are a preparatory part of this year’s Exercise Balikatan, which officially takes place from April 1 to 12, 2019. Balikatan is an exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States, and also involves participation from Australia.   Balikatan is a Tagalog phrase for “shoulder-to-shoulder,” whi

  RUN FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS . Sports enthusiasts and their families join the fun run for a clean and orderly 2019 elections on March 9, 2019. (Photo courtesy of INPPO) By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff Reporter LAOAG CITY—Hundreds of runners from various parts of Ilocos Norte and nearby provinces joined the fun run on March 9, 2019 from Camp Valentin S. Juan in this city to the town of Vintar. Organized by the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO), Police Maj. Angelito de Juan of the investigation division said the fun run aims to advocate peace in the upcoming May mid-term elections. “This is a friendly run with our allies and the candidates. We hope that we get rid of hurting and teasing each other during the campaign,” said Mr. De Juan during the opening program at the INPPO open ground. The event was among the activities of the INPPO and the Commission on Elections, which also led the February 7, 2019 interfaith rally and January 13, 2019 walk for

Manila , February 18, 2019—Lieutenant General Lewis A. Craparotta, commander of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific’s (MARFORPAC), visit to the Philippines from February 16-18, 2019 emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance to the Indo-Pacific region. During his visit, Mr. Craparotta met with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and the Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) General Alvin Parreño to discuss the US Marine Corps-AFP partnership. Mr. Craparotta joined Mr. Parreño to deliver opening remarks at the US Marine Forces Pacific Marine-to-Marine Staff Talks, a bilateral exchange in which members of the US and Philippine Marine Corps discuss opportunities to increase collaboration in the future. “These Philippine Marine Corps-MARFORPAC Marine to Marine Staff Talks promote cooperation and interoperability between our forces. As the warriors from the sea and the crisis response force, we the Marines have alwa

By Bernard Ver Contributor Dingras , Ilocos Norte—The League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Ilocos Norte chapter is appealing to the Commission on Election (Comelec) to reconsider returning their police escorts during the election period. LMP President and Dingras Mayor Erdio Valenzuela said that there are reports received by his office about some threats encountered thru text messages from unidentified sender towards most of the mayors in the province. Mr. Valenzuela added that their organization is worried enough about the bombing incidents in the southern part of the country and even the ambush of Quezon City’s Brgy. Bagong Silang chairperson Criselle Beltran and her driver Mario Salita recently. The league will also send petition letters to the Philippine National Police headquarters for them to hear LMP-IN’s request for the election period, Comelec Resolution No. 10446, Section 33 states that “[D]uring the election period, no candidate for p

Laoag City —In light of their consistent and effective efforts to eliminate the use of illegal drugs in the province, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) was given the 2018 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) last month. In 2018, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) declared Ilocos Norte “54% drug-free,” specifically in the municipalities of Marcos, Carasi, Dumalneg, Adams, Burgos, Currimao, Banna, and Vintar, and another 279 barangays. In the last quarter of 2018, the INPPO conducted 75 drug-clearing operations which led to the arrest of 84 drug offenders, and seizure of 345 grams of marijuana and 154 grams of shabu .   According to P/Insp. Wilma Palting, Police Community Relations (PCR) officer, the award is proof of the INPPO’s strong drive to eradicate illegal drugs. She noted that this is seen in the decreasing number of cases related to illegal drugs that furth

New Laoag officer-in-charge P/Supt Mar Louise T. Bundoc pays a courtesy call to Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas at the mayor’s office. ( Doms dela Cruz  ) By Dominic B. dela Cruz Staff reporter Laoag City —With the midterm election coming in May, the Philippine National Police reshuffled police chiefs all over the country. In Laoag City, P/Supt. Mar Louise Bundoc was named the city’s police officer-in-charge. Mr. Bundoc paid a courtesy call to Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas as he reported for duty. After the courtesy call, Mr. Bundoc said in an interview that his priority programs in the city will be his “strong campaign” against illegal drugs and peace and order. To achieve this, Mr. Bundoc appealed for the cooperation of everybody, especially the barangay officials and tanods to report at the nearest police assistance centers or police outposts any illegal activities or crimes that transpire in their respective barangays. However, Mr. Bundoc also

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—A halfway house for former rebels and Militia ng Bayan will soon rise in the province of Ilocos Norte. Worth PHP5 million pesos and funded by the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Ilocos Norte government represented by Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa ‘Imee’ R. Marcos will be signing a memorandum of agreement with the DILG Region 1 for the construction of a halfway house for former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels. According to Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Ramon Gaoat, chair of the committee on social welfare, Ilocos Norte province has been chosen as construction site of the facility which will serve as a temporary shelter for rebel-returnees. In a special session conducted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the SP passed Draft Resolution No. 2018-12-310, granting authority to the governor to enter into MOA with the DILG for the establishment of said project. As of this posting, Mr. Gaoat said the specific

LAOAG CITY  police officers conduct a drug awareness lecture and the salient features of RA 9165 and the RA 10627, otherwise known as the Anti Bullying Act of 2013 to first year college students of a Laoag school. The lecture aims to raise students’ awareness on the intensified campaign plan of the city police to eradicate illegal drugs and to achieve a drug-free Laoag City. It also focuses on improving strategies and responses to incidents of bullying and help avoid the recurrence of said acts.  (Photo courtesy of Laoag PNP)

By Bernard Ver Contributor LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Peace and Order, and Anti-Drug Abuse Councils met for the third quarter review at the Provincial Capitol Auditorium on October 5, 2018. Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba presided over the conference in lieu of Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos. Peace and order The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO), with P/Chief Insp. Randy Baoit appearing in place of P/Sr. Supt. Cesar R. Pasiwen, presented updated data of crime incidents in the province and the arrest of wanted persons. The police Data showed that from January 1 to September 30, 2018, there were 156 recorded crimes against person; 73 crimes against property; 260 arrested wanted persons. For the good news, the Philippine Army’s 24 th Infantry Battalion executive officer Major Felipe M. Jaramilla said Ilocos Norte remains “insurgency-free” from any rebel groups. Anti-illegal drugs The Phili

BATAC  Mayor Albert D. Chua lead the ceremonial opening of the gate valve fire hydrant at Sitio Turod, Brgy. Baay. This project is an expansion project of Batac Water District in partnership with the Batac City Government which aims to cater to the potable water needs of households of the said sitio. Joining the mayor are several members of the city council and Batac Water District officials. ( Dominic B. dela Cruz)

The K-9 unit of the BJMPRO-I and PDEA regional office I conducted a surprise and massive “greyhound operation” in all the dormitories of the Laoag City jail on July 31, 2018. The operation aims to totally eradicate any contraband inside the jail facility. Jail warden Herminigildo Rivera said this is in line with the thrust of the jail bureau of drug-free jail facilities nationwide. The operation did not yield any illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, communication devices, firearms and other contraband materials. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—The Philippine National Police (PNP) Region I office sacked 13 police chiefs in the region for poor performance in the anti-illegal drugs campaign. Region I police director P/Chief Supt. Romulo E Sapitula said the 13 police chiefs “failed to pass their monthly evaluation rating”. While visiting the different police stations in Region 1, Mr. Sapitula has reminded the police to perform well and double their efforts in the fight against illegal drugs. “As head of office, it is your responsibility to improve crime clearance and efficiency in the locality,” Mr. Sapitula said. In Ilocos Norte, Mr. Sapitula relieved the police chiefs in Batac City, Pinili and Nueva Era and Carasi effective July 31. He also relieved nine others, including the police chiefs in Candon, Narvacan, Santa, Alilem, Salcedo and Sugpon in Ilocos Sur; and Santol, San Gabriel and Burgos in La Union. The PNP Regional Office said they have reassig

By Bernard Ver Contributor LAOAG CITY—The Provincial Peace and Order Council and Anti-Drug Abuse Council held a joint meeting for the second quarter review at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Session Hall. Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo M. Barba presided over the conference in lieu of Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos. The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO), with P/Senior Superintendent Cesar R. Pasiwen leading, presented updated data of illegal drugs-cleared municipalities which includes Marcos, Carasi, Dumalneg, Adams, Burgos, Currimao, Banna, Vintar and Piddig, and a total of 518 barangays out of the 559 barangays in the province. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) represented by agent Lanibelle C. Ancheta said that from April 1 to June 30, 2018, they seized a total of 4.9758 grams of shabu and 7.0996 grams marijuana. The Philippine Army’s 702nd Brigade, through Lt. Col. Jearie Boy Familian, reported th