BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Health-Cordillera reported 73 cases of leptospirosis that killed five people in the region from January 1 to August 10. According to DOH-Regional Information Officer Geeny Anne Austria, Apayao province recorded the highest number of cases at 27, followed by Benguet with 14; Baguio City with 12; Kalinga with nine, Ifugao with five, Mountain Province with four while Abra has two cases. The department reminded the public to avoid crossing flood waters due to the increase in leptospirosis cases following the devastation of Typhoon Carina as well as the daily rainfall in the region due to La Niña. Of the five fatalities this year, two are from Apayao and one each from Baguio City, Benguet and Ifugao respectively. Austria said that although cases were lower this year compared to 12 cases and 10 deaths spanning the same period last year, the threat of the bacteria’s presence at the start of the rainy season was high. “We advise the public to seek immediate consultation once they are exposed to flood waters so that they can be given post-exposure prophylaxis and prevent the advance of bacteria,” said Austria. She explained that leptospirosis bacteria can be obtained not only from the infected urine of rats but also from any infected four-legged animal. Signs and symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, non-specific symptoms of muscle pain, calf muscle pain and red eyes in some cases.    

The City Local Government Unit of Tabuk proudly congratulates and welcomes the newly appointed staff member to the City Public Information Office. Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero officiated the oath of office to Jessie Domacyon Maguiya as Supervising Administrative Officer ( Information Officer)  on August 20, 2024. The City Public Information Office is confident that his skills will contribute significantly to the city’s development initiatives.

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet — Fifty police officers from the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) successfully completed the Criminal Investigation Course (CIC) on August 14. The graduation ceremony held at the PRO-CAR Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Major Bado Dangwa was graced by the Col. Elmer Ragay, deputy regional director for Operations and attended by the Chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, Col. James Mangili; Asst. Chief of the Regional Special Training Unit-CAR; Lt.Col. Joshua Maximo and Chief of the Physical Fitness and Sports Section of the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division, Maj. Avelmar Renan Garambas. As part of the ceremony, the graduates received their certificate of completion, while the top three received PNP medals in recognition of their dedication during the course: Pat Anthony R Bustarde (88.79%) (Medalya ng Kasanayan) Pat Kyra M Alan (86.92%) (Medalya ng Papuri) PCpl Jaya Ann A Dacay (86%) (Medalya ng Papuri) Also, Leadership Awards were presented to PMSg Jiford W Sumcad for being the Class Marcher and PMSg George G Tamayo for being the Class President. Ragay, emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adaptation for effective law enforcement. He encouraged the graduates to further develop their skills through additional training programs. The graduates, who hail from the different units of PRO-CAR, underwent rigorous training to enhance their investigative skills and help in the crime solution.    

A married couple posing as dentists in Sablan, Benguet, were uncovered as notorious scammers hiding from the law.  The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) Baguio City Field Unit (CFU) arrested the duo during an entrapment operation on August 2, 2024, exposing not only their illegal dental practice but also much larger criminal activity. The Philippine Dental Association of Baguio City and Benguet Chapter had long suspected Jun Jun  and Catherine Banal of being fake dentists.  When they failed to produce valid dental licenses, the CIDG seized assorted dental equipment from their three-story residence. The couple now faces charges under Republic Act 9484, the Philippine Dental Act of 2007. The authorities, in coordination with the PNP-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), revealed the true identities of the culprits who victimized one-hundred-forty-nine individuals through “Assumed Balance-Sangla” car rental scam, deceiving car owners by assuming vehicle mortgage balances, then pawning or selling the vehicles with counterfeit documents. Their fraudulent schemes amassed a staggering P300,000,000.00. Several charges have been filed against the BANAL couple before the Angeles City Regional Trial Court branches 56 and 62, as well as the Mabalacat City Municipal Trial Court.  These charges include large-scale swindling, estafa, carnapping, and violations of the Bouncing Checks Law. Their web of deceit prompted action from multiple law enforcement bodies. The PNP-HPG, through Case Operation “ARES-ID PARAM,” supported by PAOCC, had been on their trail. The Banal’s had evaded capture by changing their names and moving to Sablan. However, their luck ran out when the CIDG Baguio CFU arrested them for illegal dental services. Following this, the HPG Intelligence Division swiftly acted, and on August 5, 2024, alongside the Regional Highway Patrol Unit Cordillera Administrative Region, served the outstanding warrants. According to USEC Gilberto Cruz, the PNP-HPG, PNP-CIDG, and PAOCC remain dedicated to seeking justice for any additional victims of the couple’s extensive fraudulent activities. “Ang PNP-HPG, PNP-CIDG, at PAOCC ay nananatiling tapat sa paghahanap ng katarungan para sa iba pang mga biktima ng malawakang pang-scam at panloloko ng naturang mag-asawa. Patuloy na susuportahan ng PAOCC ang PNP sa kanilang mga operasyon upang sugpuin ang mga sindikato at tuldukan ang organized crime sa bansa,” Usec Cruz said. (From PAOCC page)

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet — A total of PhP12,560,000.00 worth of marijuana plants were burned following a two-day marijuana eradication operation conducted by PRO-CAR cops in the provinces of Kalinga and Benguet from August 7-8, 2024. In Tabuk City, Kalinga joint operatives of the Special Operations Unit-Cordillera, Tabuk City Police Station, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, Isabela Police Provincial Office (PPO), and Quezon Police Station discovered 52,000 pieces of Fully Grown Marijuana Plants (FGMJP) with a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of P10,400,000.00 in Barangay  Nambaran. Additionally, in Barangay Loccong, Tinglayan, Kalinga, another operation by the Kalinga PPO Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU), Provincial Intelligence Unit, Tinglayan Municipal Police Station (MPS), 1st Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and PDEA-CAR led to the discovery of 10,000 fully grown marijuana plants, valued at P2,000,000.00. Simultaneously, in Benguet, a collaborative effort by the 1st Benguet PMFC, Kibungan MPS, Benguet PDEU, Regional Intelligence Division, and PDEA-CAR resulted in the seizure of 800 marijuana plants with an SDP of P160,000.00 in Barangay Tacadang, Kibungan. All confiscated marijuana plants were documented and burned on-site, while enough samples were collected for qualitative testing by the Regional Forensic Unit-Cordillera. This successful operation underscores the ongoing commitment of PRO-CAR to combating illegal drug activities and ensuring the safety of local communities.            

By Zaldy Comanda CAMP CAPT. JUAN DUYAN, Kalinga – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera (PDEA) formally declared the seven municipal police stations and one city in the province of Kalinga as Drug-Free Workplace, after complying and passing the parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 13 Series of 2018, in a ceremony held at Camp Captain Juan M Duyan, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga, on August 6. The Chiefs of Police of eight police stations received Certificates of Confirmation and Drug Free Markers from PDEA Regional Director III Laurefel Gabales, which include Tabuk City Police Station; Balbalan MPS; Lubuagan MPS; Pasil MPS; Pinukpuk MPS; Rizal MPS; Tanudan MPS and Tinglayan MPS. As a highlight of the program, the ceremonial unveiling of Drug-Free Workplace Markers was also led by Gabales to the officials of each town and witnessed by personnel from the Kalinga Police Provincial Headquarters, Provincial Drug Enforcement Agency-Kalinga, 1st KPMFC and participants from National Support Units (NSUs). Gabales greatly congratulated the police for their hard work and devotion of the City/Municipal Police Stations of the Kalinga PPO in the success of the Drug-Free Workplace Program. He emphasized that the City/Municipal Police Stations of Kalinga PPO have shown an organization that defends integrity and positively affects the Province of Kalinga. He also mentioned the new face of the current administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign rally, calling for a principled, responsible and reliable government that awakens social awareness towards change, participatory governance, economic growth and upholding the dignity of Cordillera police force as Home of the Most Disciplined Cops”

BANGUED Abra — To enhance the operational capability of the police, PRO-CAR Regional Director, Brig.Gen. David Peredo,Jr.,led the turnover of newly procured police equipment during a blessing and turnover ceremony held at Camp Juan Villamor, Bgy. Calaba, Bangued, Abra on August 7, 2024. As a highlight of the ceremony,Peredo, handed over 22 units of 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles “Galil” to the Provincial Director of Abra PPO, Col.Jeremias Oyawon and two motorcycles to the Bangued Municipal Police Station (MPS), which were blessed by Rev. Fr. Col. Dionisio William Beleno. Peredo, emphasized the importance of this equipment in enhancing the capability of Abra’s police force and achieving a more effective and credible law enforcement presence. “I am turning over these 22 units of newly procured 5.56mm Basic Assault Rifles ‘Galil’ to strengthen the firepower of Abra PPO, along with 2 motorcycles specifically allocated to Bangued MPS, which urgently requires such equipment. I expect that this equipment will always be kept serviceable to maximize its utility and serve its purpose,” Peredo added. Also present during the activity were the Chief of the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division, Col.Reguel Santamaria,Force Commander of Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, Col.Ruel Tagel, Chief of the Regional Public Information Office,LtCol. Carolina Lacuata, Abra command group, provincial staff, and other personnel from Abra PPO.

By Zaldy Comanda CAMP DANGWA,Benguet — Sa matagumpay na buwanang anti-illegal drug operations ng Police Regional Office-Cordillera, may kabuuang 78 operasyon ang isinagawa sa buong rehiyon, na nagresulta sa pagkakasamsam ng iligal na droga na nagkakahalaga ng P80,604,216.36 at pagkakahuli sa 26 na drug personalities mula Hulyo 1-31. Ayon sa ulat ng Regional Operations Division, sa 78 na operasyong inilunsad, 51 ang marijuana eradication operations, 16 ang buy-bust operations, lima ang pagpapatupad ng search warrants, tatlo ang checkpoints, dalawa ang service of warrants of arrest, at isa ang tugon ng pulis. Nagresulta ito sa pag-aresto sa 26 na drug personality, kung saan 15 ay nakalista bilang Street Level Individuals at 11 ay nakalista bilang High Value Individuals. Bukod dito, ang isinagawang operasyon ay humantong din sa pagkakakumpiska ng 47.23 gramo ng shabu, 364,845 piraso ng fully grown na halaman ng marijuana, 2,850 piraso ng marijuana seedlings, 40,750.05 gramo ng tuyong dahon ng marijuana at fruiting tops, at 20,000.00 grams ng pinatuyong marijuana. kabuuang halaga ng Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) na P80,604,216.36. Ang mga makabuluhang tagumpay na ito ay binibigyang-diin ang hindi natitinag na pangako ng kapulisan sa pagpuksa sa mga aktibidad ng ilegal na droga sa rehiyon at pagtiyak sa kaligtasan at seguridad ng komunidad  

CAMP DNGWA, Benguet — As part of the intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign of the PNP, over P35.2 millions worth of illegal drugs were seized, and six drug personalities were arrested in the weeklong anti-illegal drug operations conducted bythe PRO-CAR cops from July 19-25, 2024.  According to the records from the Regional Operations Division, police operatives conducted a total of 25 operations in Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, and Kalinga that resulted in the confiscation of a total of 14.87 grams of suspected shabu, 0.05 grams of dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops, and 175,630 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants, with an overall Standard Drug Price of P35,227,122.00. Moreover, of the six arrested drug personalities, one was identified as a High Value Individual apprehended in Baguio City, while the other suspects were identified as Street Level Individuals. Two of whom were arrested in Baguio City, another two were nabbed in Benguet, and one in Kalinga. All arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the custody of the respective arresting units for documentation and proper disposition. The suspects will be facing charges for violation of R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Meanwhile, the discovered marijuana plants were uprooted and incinerated onsite following thorough documentation, while investigations are underway to locate other marijuana plantation sites and identify cultivators. The PRO-CAR cops are consistently engaging with the public to convey the PNP’s anti-illegal drugs campaign through the conduct of barangay visitations and information operations in the Cordillera region.