Longing for Peace: A message of the KARSA during the peace week celebration

This is the full text of the message of the Kalinga-Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA) during the conclusion of the "Peace Week" celebration last December 7, 2012 at the Kalinga Sports Center. 

 LONGING FOR PEACE

Two years ago, our very own beloved governor, Jocel C. Baac, said in his Christmas Message to the people of Kalinga, “PEACE IS HERE TO STAY, IF WE LIVE CHRISTMAS DAY FOREVER."

There is no mistake that living out the spirit and imperatives of Christmas is the bedrock of a meaningful and genuine peace, not only among Kalingas but among all people. This is posited within the view that one of the reasons why there is no peace in the world is because we people fail to really understand what peace is all about and its requirements. We fail to discern the truth that peace is of God, and therefore we should seek it from God's own standpoint. Any attempt to seek peace from our own personal standpoint and interpretation can in fact reap more negative dividends than positive ones. In a nutshell, this is what that famous Christmas message tells us, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND PEACE GOODWILL TO MEN. Meaning, we can only know and understand the meaning of peace when we are at peace with God. For peace is not only about serenity, calmness or the absence of conflict among people, clan, tribe and even nations. It is SHALLOM. And SHALLOM is that Hebrew term for peace that is characterized by a state of wholeness or well being which is the fruit of proper relationship with God, with self and other human beings. Peace therefore begins with a proper relationship with God, that teaches us to have inner peace with ourselves which shall also be the measure of our peace with others and even our environment. Never can we talk about peace on earth goodwill to men, unless we talk about our peace with our God and ourselves. The end result of this SHALLOM in our individual and social life is prosperity, contentment and security. And in the words of Isaiah such a condition is founded on truth and justice, "everywhere in the land, righteousness and justice will be done. Because everyone will do what is right, there will be peace and security forever." (Isa. 32:16-17)

It is God's sovereign will that human beings shall live in harmony with each other in peaceful habitations. Therefore, while it is true that conflict is natural among human beings, being part of their fallen nature, violence and war as means of settling conflicts are scandals to the sovereign will of the God of Peace. Thus, one of the concrete requirements of peace is the absence of violence and war as means of settling conflicts. And so speaking within the backdrop of the realities of violence and war in the world, the Prophets Isaiah and Micah were as fierce in declaring that in the fullness of time a PRINCE OF PEACE will come and, "he will teach us what he wants us to do...he will settle disputes among great nations. They will hammer their swords into plows and their spears to pruning knives. And nations will learn war no more." (Isa. 2 & Micah 4)

There is no question, that indeed, God abhors violence. However, violence is real in our world today because it is the end result of human corruption. Nonetheless, it shall be stressed that the human hunger and thirst for peace is unquenchable because by nature we are created by a God of Peace that we should be in harmony and at peace with each other. Hence, since time immemorial human beings had been in constant search for peace and had in fact built institutions of peace such as peace covenants, alliances and treaties with hopes that such institutions would bring about meaningful peace. To Kalingas, our cultural tradition of BODONG as an institution of peace is a living testament to the natural human quest for meaningful peace and our abhorrence of violence.

How can we image an ideal society that bears and enjoys SHALLOM? Isaiah pictures to us an ideal society that enjoys SHALLOM, saying, "He will rule his people with justice and integrity. Wolves and sheep will live together in peace and Leopards will lie down with young goats. Calves and lions will feed together, and little children will take care of them, cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw as cattle do. Even a baby will not be harmed if it plays near a poisonous snake. On Zion, God's holy hill there will be nothing harmful or evil. The land will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the seas are full of waters." (Isa. 11:5-9)

We shall note that in this ideal society that justice and peace are inseparable. Peace is always the result of justice, hence, the saying, "there is no peace without justice." In concrete terms, a peaceful society is anchored on a relationship of CO-EXISTENCE: Where no one prejudiced, underprivileged, exploited and oppressed on account of their powerless, race, color, creed and status in life because justice is made supreme. Is it possible for the rich and influential to co-exist with the poor and powerless as Lions and calves do, or wolves and sheep do?

Indeed, this image of an ideal society of SHALLOM shakes the very foundation of a society that is exclusive, unjust, prejudicial and violent. Coincidentally, it is from this perspective of CO-EXISTENCE based on justice that the United Nations defines peace as, "a state of harmony and communion where people eat, speak, play, dance, live and work together. If this natural state is disturbed, be it by arguments, outside influence and/or manipulations, greed or fear -violence and wars can be the results."

And so, what is our longing for peace in Kalinga? What kind of a society that we should build for ourselves and our children? None can be more valuable in the heart of every Kalinga than to see a Kalinga that is freed from any form of violence. How nice and wonderful really it is that we can see our children play with each other as brothers and sisters in spite of our vast differences in culture, tradition, political convictions and even creed. How nice it would be if we could sleep soundly at night, walk the streets unafraid, trustful that our lands are safe from squatters. How really nice would it be if there are no hired killers and masterminds of killings, and that tribal wars are now things of the past. How nice really could it be, if there are no people amongst us who think that they are above the law or are the law themselves. And yes, how nice would it be if justice is made to blossom and "flow like a stream, and righteousness like a living river." (Amos 5:24).

Kalinga PNP neutralizes 8 wanted persons

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – In an intensified drive against criminal elements in the province, local police killed one person wanted by the courts and collared eight others in the last six weeks.

Among the nine was the alleged triggerman in the murder of Indonesian Roman Catholic priest Franciscus Madhu. The police said that Nestor Wailan, farmer and resident of Dugnac, Lubuagan, was killed in Canao, Lubuagan midnight of February 9 when he allegedly shot it out with members of the Regional Mobile Group and the Kalinga Provincial Police Office who were out to serve his warrant of arrest.

Last to be nabbed was Pidi Addum, 47, farmer and resident of Bulo, this city. Wanted by the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 for the crimes of murder and frustrated murder, he was arrested by elements of the Provincial Mobile Group at Battikin Village, Bulanao, this city, on March 10.

The others who were arrested in separate operations during the period were the following: Calsiman Pag-et (attempted parricide), Peter Malinao (robbery), Jerry Diascon (homicide), Benjamin Bannacas (theft of large cattle), Jerry Ambona (theft of large cattle), Gaspar Edduba (robbery and double frustrated murder), and Christopher Dangangao (acts of lasciviousness).

“We are working harder. We are communicating to the criminal elements in Kalinga that sooner or later the long arm of the law will catch up with them. We are giving would-be criminals something to think about,” Senior Supt. Arni Dean Emock who took over as police provincial director last October told the media.

Emock also said that they are negotiating for the surrender of other wanted persons so that they could face trial instead of continuing to be on the run. He also warned wanted persons who are still at large not to resist arrest “because our officers will defend themselves.”

Emock also told would-be criminals to engage in honest and dignified labor instead of thinking of shortcuts.

“If poverty is the cause why they commit crimes, they could work. There is a lot of work to be had in the locality. Labor is dignified for so long as it is legal. If one is industrious, he could earn for his family eliminating the need for him to commit crimes to gain something,” Emock said.

Meanwhile, a policeman from this province was killed and another one was injured when one of the tires of the service vehicle they were riding in burst as they were negotiating the Aragaag Bridge in Asingan, Pangasinan 1 AM of March 12.

Citing initial investigation of the Asingan police, Emock informed the media that SPO1 Ignacio Padilla who was riding at the back of the back to back Toyota Hilux fell from the vehicle and off the bridge when the vehicle swerved after its left rear tire burst.

Emock said that PO1 Rocky Pacao who was also seated at the back of the vehicle also fell but was kept from falling off the bridge by the railings. He was injured, however.

Emock said that the other occupants of the vehicle namely SPO1s George Acob, Odilon Pagudpud and Randell Lacuesta, PO3 Carina Castillo and Theresita Emock, Emock’s wife, were unhurt.

Emock said that group was bound for Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet to attend a finance seminar and conference when the accident took place adding that his wife was riding with the group to Baguio City.

Emock said that it took some 30 minutes for the Asingan police to locate the body of Padilla. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW

3 soldiers killed in Kalinga ambush identified

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Police on Friday said the three soldiers who were killed in a rebel ambush in the hinterlands of Kalinga province last Wednesday have been identified.

A report by the Kalinga police to Camp Dangwa, headquarters of the regional police force in La Trinidad, identified the victims as SSgt. Ci-o, Sgt. Galimba and Pfc. Toribio, all of the Philippine Army’s 21st Infantry Battalion.

The three were killed during a clash with suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels at about 4 p.m. last Wednesday at the remote sitio of Lagwak in barangay Limos in Pinukpuk town.

Chief Inspector Joe Baday, chief of police in Pinukpuk, reported that the soldiers were on their way to Pinukpuk from barangay Poswoy in neighboring Balbalan town when they were ambushed. Baday’s report did not name the army soldier who was wounded.

It was unclear if the NPAs who staged the ambush are the same group that bombed a Globe telecommunications tower in barangay Pakawit, also in Pinukpuk, last July 27.

Police said the rebel who was hacked to death by a villager during the cellsite bombing was from barangay Balantoy in Balbalan, which is close to Poswoy village.

The Wednesday ambush came amid President Arroyo’s two-day furlough in Apayao province and Tuguegarao City where she was presented with developmental action plans for Cagayan Valley formulated by the participants to the first-ever local peace and security assembly.

In the meeting, Mrs. Arroyo called on local, military and police officials in the region to “crush the rebels once and for all because they are trying to impede the growth of our country." - GMANews.TV

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Three persons killed in Tabuk City

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Three persons were killed in two separate incidents here recently. At around 3:30 a.m. of July 25 two unidentified gunmen shot to death Danny Garcia, 44, married, resident of Cabaritan, this city, and Cecilio Advincula, 44, single, resident of Lanna, also this city, in the compound of the Southern Bulanao Elementary School, Bulanao, this city.

Responding policemen found Garcia sprawled on the ground with a gunshot wound in his breast and Advincula who was apparently asleep on the floor of the canteen operated by Garcia had gunshot wounds in his head. Both were dead.

A team from Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) of the province recovered three spent shells of a cal. 45 pistol in the crime scene. The police said that the assailants fled the scene following the irrigation canal above the school.

Meanwhile, at around 5 p.m. of July 22 in Pinagan, Lucog, Jimmy dela Pena, 44, married and kagawad of the barangay, was struck twice with a gabyon (a type of digging tool) on the nape by his neighbor Leonard Benjok.

Police said that Benjok was motivated by jealousy believing that the victim was having an affair with his wife.

The police immediately took the suspect into custody and murder charges have already been filed against him. **By Estanislao Albano, Jr.

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2 dead, 18 injured in grenade explosion in Kalinga

Two persons were killed while 18 others were injured when a grenade explosion hit a small carnival in Tabuk City, Kalinga

Victim Joel Tabanganay died instantly during the explosion that took place past 11 a.m. Another victim, identified as Redentor Bayangan, died while being treated at a nearby hospital. Read more...

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2 highway robbers surrendered by tribemates

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Two persons, one of whom is a minor, who pulled off a highway robbery in a notorious stick up area in the gateway to the city evening of may 21 were surrendered by their barangaymates morning of may 23.

Police identified the suspects who they say both admitted to the crime as Canwell Dalignoc and a seventeen year old male person. Both are single, residents of Nambaran, this city, and members of the Tulgao Tribe.

They were surrendered to the police by a group of Tulgao tribesmen headed by Nambaran barangay captain Rolando Baswit and PO3 Miguel Aboli. The group included the father of the minor.

The police said that so far, three of the more or less 10 passengers of the public utility jeepney with plate number AYC 926 came forward to file complaints against the duo after learning they have been taken into police custody.

The driver claimed the duo divested him P2,400.00 personal money and P2,300.00 collection while one passenger said that he lost a Nokia 1112 cellphone and P800.00 cash while another alleged the holduppers took her P1,300.00.

Nambaran is a notorious hold-up area but the frequency of the incidents drastically dropped after the dead bodies of the three alleged highway robbers two of whom were residents of Nambaran were found in Isabela sometime late last year.

The police said that upon learning of the latest robbery and suspecting that it is again the handiwork of their tribemates, the people of Nambaran exerted efforts to ferret out the culprits which led to the identification of the minor who, upon being confronted by his father, admitted to the crime and revealed the name of his cohort Dalignoc.

The police said that the father of the minor has since executed and affidavit against the two suspects.

The police related that the two suspects who boarded the jeep pretending to be passengers before the barangay center stopped the vehicle upon reaching the outskirts of the barangay and declared a hold-up.

According to the police, Dalignoc and the minor were armed with .38 caliber pistol and a knife, respectively. **Estanislao Albano, Jr.

Man wanted in Cagayan falls in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga - A man wanted for a case of robbery with homicide in Penablanca, Cagayan was arrested by operatives of the Kalinga Provincial Police Office (KPPO) night of April 15,2008 in his house at Magaogao, Pinukpuk, this province.

Inspector Abraham Galingan who headed the ar-resting team informed the media that Nestor Merin, 29, single, and resident of Magaogao was asleep in his house when the police served the alias warrant of arrest issued by Judge Jezarene Aquino of the Regional Trial Court Branch 5 of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Galingan said that the arrest came after an intelligence report that Merin was sighted in Magaogao turned out positive.

Galingan said that Merin was implicated in the break-in of the house of Penablanca businessman Hermogenes Addun which resulted in the killing of Addun sometime in December 2006.

The police official said that after Lupo Tuliao of Buyan, Penablanca was arrested in Tuga, this city, sometime in December 2006, for a different crime, he revealed his involvement in the Addun robbery case and likewise pointed to Merin, Agustin Cawilan of Camalog, Pinukpuk, and Peter Bakulen of Pinukpuk as his companions which prompted the filing of a of robbery with homicide case against them.

Merin admitted that he was with the group during the incident but claimed that it was his companions who entered the house of Addun.

The arrest of Merin came at the heels of the apprehension of Hadji Obal, the No. 5 most wanted man in the Cordillera, at sitio Dalimuno, Bantay, this city, at 4 AM of April 9.

Galingan who also headed the arresting team said that the arrest was made in compliance with the warrant of arrest issued by Judge Marcelino Wacas of Regional Trial Court Branch 25 of this city for the crimes of double murder and frustrated murder. **By Estanislao Albano, Jr.

Five dead in three shooting incidents in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Five persons were killed and three others were injured in three shooting incidents in this province this week.

At around 6 AM of February 12 in Macutay, Rizal town, Dominic Orpella Soliman, 27, Jackson Barcellano Marcos, 17, and Pedro Barcellano, 54, were going to their farm on board a hand tractor cum trailer when they were ambushed by two unidentified men.

The police said the three were killed instantly. SOCO personnel found 14 empty shells and one live bullet for a cal. 5.56 M14 rifle.

The police said they still have to determine the motive of the killing.

At around 11:30 PM of February 13, William Gonzalo, 40, was also killed while P03 Oliver Camuyot, JayR Angyuda, 17, and Fred Reyes, Jr. were injured in a shooting incident which took place in the Bradford Refreshment and Music Lounge in Bulanao, this city.

In their initial report of the incident, the police said that policemen who responded to the bursts of gunfire which emanated from the music lounge found Gonzalo, Camuyot and Angyuda sprawled on the floor with gunshot wounds. The wounds of Gonzalo were fatal, the report said.

According to the same report, the police also found Reyes hiding infront of a nearby residence with a gunshot wound in the breast and was in possession of a cal. 45 Armscor pistol with an empty magazine.

Citing their initial findings, the police said Camuyot and some companions were drinking at one table when all of a sudden and with no apparent reason, Reyes who was drinking at another table stood up and shot Camuyot hitting him in the left and right thighs.

The police also said that Gonzalo and Angyuda were hit by stray bullets.

The report did not say who shot Reyes.

The police reported that they found nine empty shells and a misfired bullet of a cal. 45 pistol and seven slugs in the crime scene and another empty shell of a cal. 45 pistol in the place where Reyes was located.

At around 3:35 PM of February 14, Reynante Anog, 40, married, farmer and former kagawad of Dilag, this city, was shot dead apparently accidentally in his residence in Bulanao Norte, this city, by a 13 year old neighbor.

According to police investigation, the victim placed a loaded cal. 9mm on their kitchen table and then went to brush his teeth in their sink which is more or less three meters away.

At this point, the boy who just entered the kitchen held the gun and accidentally squeezed the trigger causing the gun to fire hitting the victim in the arm and exiting through his left armpit and entering his breast. Anog did not reach the hospital alive. ** By Estanislao Albano Jr.

Church urges police to expedite investigation of double murder

Tabuk City, Kalinga - The Anglican Church here has asked the police to conduct a speedy investigation of the murder of two of its members whose bodies were found floating in the Chico River late last week.

Fr. Gabriel Dapuyen, dean and rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Bulanao, this city, where Nick Maguinsay, married, resident of Duldulao, Malibcong, Abra but working as small scale miner in Guinaang Pasil, and Joren Maguinsay, 23, single, resident of Luba, Abra, jobless, were last seen alive 5 PM of January 10, that the church has not yet received any information even just where the incident took place.

The priest said that no witness to the crime has yet surfaced.

The body of Nick was fished out of the, Chico River at Pasonglao, Calanan, this city, January 11 while that of Joren were found by farmers floating in Tuliao, also in Calanan 4 PM the following day.

Nick was hogtied with his hands behind his back and his body, bore nine stab wounds while the body of Joren bore 18 wounds believed to be from a knife in different parts of his body and two more pounds believed to have been inflicted by a bullet and a club were found in iris head.

Dapuyen said that the two have been visiting with Jefferson Maguinsay, the catechist of the cathedral, who is a brother of Nick and cousin of Joren, at the time of their disappearance.

The priest said they discovered the disappearance of the two when the lights in the church compound were still on when it was already day as it was the responsibility of the two to turn on and switch off the compound lights.

Dapuyen said that the bodies were brought to their respective native places in Abra after mass last Sunday. **ZZW

Ten marijuana bricks seized

Tabuk City, Kalinga - An inspection conducted by police at the Talaca checkpoint in Agbannawag, this city, around 4:20 PM of December 18 on a passenger bus bound for Manila yielded 10 dried marijuana bricks weighing around 10,000 grams with estimated Dangerous Drugs Board value of P250,000.00.

The police said the contraband were packed in a carton box without markings or address of owner and was loaded in the running board of the Dangwa bus bearing plate number AYC 449 with body number NE 836 being driven by Joseph Laguito Ente with his conductor Rogelio Mariano Dayao and bus inspector Montano Walac.

Kalinga Police Provincial Director Maximino Valiente said that when the policemen asked the bus crew and the passengers who owns the carton, nobody admitted ownership of the baggage.

Valiente said the apprehending policemen acted on information dried marijuana bricks are being transported by buses and jeepneys from Tinglayan, this province, the primary source of marijuana in the locality, and are intended for other provinces including Metro-Manila.

The police team which was led by Inspector Naddiahan Pinkihan of the 160th Mobile Group and SPO4 Celestino Dong-as of the Drugs Enforcement Unit (DEU) here flagged down the bus and requested the driver for an inspection of the bus which resulted in the find. **by Estanislao Albano , Jr., ZZW Dec. 23, 2007

Murder in Tabuk might rouse tribal grudges

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Local police investigators are looking into the possibility the tricycle driver found dead on the driver's seat of his tricycle at Purok 7, Bulanao, this city, 8:10 AM of November 8, was killed because he was mistaken to be a member of the Naneng tribe. Tabuk City OlC-Chief of Police Romulo Danglose said that according to their initial findings, victim Salvador Carpio, 42, married, presently residing at of Purok 6, Bulanao, used to live in Balani, Lucog, this city, and spoke the Naneng dialect fluently although he was an immigrant.

Incidentally, according to a source, Carpio had transferred his family to Bulanao after their house in Balani was destroyed by a landslide in August 6,2006. The victim who himself was injured in the landslide, lost two of his children in the tragedy.

Danglose said that based on descriptions given by witnesses, they have identified Primo Binay-og as suspect in the shooting to death of Carpio and police investigators are now trying to establish the motive of revenge for the shooting to death of relatives Noel and Jose Binay-og by alleged Naneng gunmen on June 29, 2005 at Maledda, Ipil, this city. Danglose said that the Binay-ogs and the Nanengs were feuding over a parcel of land.

The Sadanga tribe to which the Binay-ogs belong, however, deny a hand in the killing of Carpio even as they expressed willingness to perform the sapata to clear themselves. The sapata is an indigenous ritual whereby a person who is being suspected of a crime solemnly avers his innocence under pain of harm befalling himself and even his family if he is lying.

Several persons who were not members of either warring tribe have been killed on mistaken identity during tribal wars here in recent years.

The shooting of Carpio was the first of three violent incidents occurring in the city since last week.

Around 8:55 PM of November 11 Estabillo Galamto, 17, resident of Purok 5, Bulanao, Bemie Balicao, single, laborer, also of Purok 5, Bulanao and Adrian Dayawon, 23, single, student of the nearby Kalinga-Apayao State College and resident of Paligatto, Balawag, this city, were walking along the Provincial Road on their way to Hilltop, Purok 6, Bulanao when shot one after the other for still no apparent reason.

Galamto was killed, 17, Dayawon was injured and Balicao who was also shot once escape unscathed.

Initial police investigation show that three were accosted by two men in front of the National Irrigation Administration compound. One of the two men then shot them at close range. His companion was unarmed. Scene of the Crime Operative from the KPPO recovered three empty shell for a caliber 45 pistol in the crime scene. Danglose said the investigation has been stalled because Balicao could not give any useful information while Dayawon is still recuperating in the hospital.

Dawn of November 14, Reynaldo Dugayon, 32, married, a farmer who also buys and sells gold, and a resident of Bullalayao, Pantikian, Balbalan, this province, was shot dead in his room at the Las Vegas Lodge in Dagupan Weste by still unidentified gunman for still unknown reason. The victim was shot twice as evidence by two empty shells recovered in the room by police investigators.

Investigator Paul Payan told the media that Dugayon had checked in at a different hotel but transferred to the Las Vegas Lodge sometime in the evening where he, together with gay waiter George Garcia, 20, and waitress Mary Ann Crisologo, 17, drunk in the Los Angeles Videoke House on the third floor of the hotel from 8 to 10:45 PM.

Quoting a Jerry Alvendo, 26, the cashier of the hotel, Payan said that from the videoke bar, the three transferred to the room of the victim in the second floor where they ate and then continued drinking until 3 AM when Garcia and Crisologo left Dugayon.

It was around the time when Garcia and Crisologo left the victim's room that shots rang out in the hotel. Danglose said that robbery has been ruled out as a motive for the crime because a cash of 29,750.00 was found in a pant pocket of the victim. Danglose said they are now looking into information the murder is connected with a hold-up which took place in Gaang, Balbalan on October 28 wherein the victim was the suspect.

Danglose said the information appears to tally with the statement of witnesses in the first two videoke bars where Dugayon had a drink that evening and also at the Las Vegas Lodge where a man wearing a black leather jacket was following him. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW, Nov. 18, 2007

Kalinga police: Torn between 2 Regions

TABUK CITY, Kalinga - The implementation of General Order DPL 09-11 issued a month ago by then Philippine National Police Director General Oscar Calderon placing the police commands of Kalinga and Apayao under the control and supervision of Police Regional Office 2 (PR02) has put the two commands in a confusing situation.

That's because instead of fully transferring control of the two police forces to PR02, the police authorities of PR02 and the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region (PROCAR) have decided that only the operations of the Kalinga and Apayao commands be transferred to PR02 while the administration will remain with PROCAR.

Kalinga OIC-Provincial Director Florante Camuyot told the media that he gathered during a PROCAR police command conference last week that the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership is hesitant to fully implement the general order because of the threat of being charged administratively and criminally for undermining Executive Order 220 which created the CAR.

He identified the local officials of the region and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines as the groups poised to file the charges against the PNP lead­ership on account of the general order.

Camuyot said that with both regional offices issuing direct orders to the two police commands, "there is confusion sometimes."

He cited the case of the security preparations for the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections where he has to deal with the PROCAR for financial support and with PRO2 for troop augmentation.

Camuyot also said that their gas allowance which is not much to begin with is also being affected by the situation because he has to attend command conferences in both regions.

"There are a lot of work where we need the assistance of a boss. We do not know whom to turn to now," he said.

Camuyot expressed the wish that the issue under which region the Kalinga and Apayao police would be finally placed should be resolved at the soonest possible time "for us to know our real boss and to remove the confusion."

Camuyot also said that with the Kalinga LGU vehemently opposed to the transfer of control and supervision of the Kalinga police to PR02, some of the command's activities have been hampered.

He cited the directive of PR02 for the conduct of a command conference regarding the deputation of tanods and auxiliary units in the province but he is hesitant to set it up because he doubts it will be productive considering the non-acceptance of Kalinga officials of the general order.

He added the Kalinga government expressed Willingness to give some fund for physical improvements in Camp Juan Duyan, the police headquarters here, but since the issuance of the general order, he noticed that the local officials are no longer as keen on pushing through with the project. **By Estanislao Albano, Jr., Zigzag Weekly, Oct. 14, 2007

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Police chief bashes amicable settlement practice

Tabuk City, Kalinga - The chief of police of this city has lashed anew at the practice of suspects here of threatening complainants and witnesses and forcing them to agree to amicable settlement of cases.

PCI Romulo Danglose called the two practices "the agony of policemen here because they practically undo our work in investigating, identifying and filing cases against suspects."

"Settlement of cases is the in thing here. We cannot prevent the victims from agreeing to amicably settle their cases because that's their right. The problem is as a result, criminals continue to roam about the city," Danglose said.

Danglose made the remarks in connection with the filing of a robbery case against the three suspects in the robbing of a chainsaw store here and the killing of a tanod and the wounding of another evening of September 21."

Danglose explained that they have only filed the case for the robbery because they still do not have enough evidence to pin down the suspects for the murder and the wounding of the two tanods.

"We still do not have an eyewitness although the evidence at hand appear to show that the three suspects could be the same persons who shot the two tanods," Danglose said.

Danglose did not mention the names of the three suspects one of whom has already been arrested "for the safety of the complainant and the witnesses."

The police investigation showed that at around 8:30 PM of September 21, three men held up Arnel Francisco, 22, single, an employee of the Powersaw Trading stores at Dagupan Weste and Magsaysay, both in this city, while he was on his way to the latter branch.

The three men who were armed with short guns took away his Seiko Diver's watch, Nokia 3315 cellphone arid the key to the Dagupan Weste branch which two of the suspects used to open the store while the other guarded Francisco.

The two suspects took away from the store two chainsaws worth P74.000.00 and one portable generator worth P8,000.00 and cash collections of more .or less P50,000.00 after which they returned for their companion and Francisco whom they used as their hostage in their flight.

While they Were about to pass the Magsaysay barangay hall, however, a passing vehicle illuminated them and Francisco took the chance to make a run for it. He sought help from people who were drinking at a nearby store who brought him to the police station.

Danglose said that Francisco had positively identified the suspect who was arrested.

The police said that later that evening Patrick Pasabing, 49, married, a barangay tanod of Appas and and fellow-tanod Paul Ducayag, 39, saw three persons passing by carrying two chainsaws and one portable generator.

Suspecting that the persons were rohbers, the two coordinated with other tanods to block the suspects afterwhich they followed the suspects themselves, and when they reached the boundary of Appas and San Juan, they were fired upon by the suspects hitting Pasabing fatally.

The tanods who were supposed to block the path of the suspects namely Ramon Pinartoc, Lambayong Cumisa and Noel Marquez were also fired upon with Pinartoc getting hit in the stomach. **By Estanislao Albano Jr.

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Person with P300,000.00 prize on his head arrested

Tabuk City, Kalinga - Joint in­telligence operatives from the Police Regional Office of the Cordillera, from Baguio City and this province and the Kalinga Provincial Mobile Group arrested last Saturday a suspect in a kidnapping case committed in Baguio City some­time in 2003.

Roger Agtulao alias Ludlud, 31, native of Pingad, Sabangan, Mtn. Prov., has a P300,000.00 prize on his head.

Kalinga OIC-Provincial Police Director Florante Camuyot said that Agtulao who had been hiding in Bangad, Tinglayan, Kalinga, the residence of his wife, was on his way to Tabuk from Tihglayan when surprised by the police at sitio Patiking, Naneng. this city, 8:15 morning of September 29.

Camuyot said that the police were armed with a warrant of arrest for the crime of kidnapping issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 62 in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Camuyot also informed that all of the other suspects in the crime have already been arrested and are undergoing trial.**By Estanislao Albano, Jr., Zigzag Weekly, Oct. 7, 2007

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Kalinga now has crime lab

Tabuk City, Kalinga – In what is seen by many as a shot in the arm of crime fighting in the province, a crime laboratory has just been established here. It was inaugurated September 26,2007.

Inspector Joel Bentican, chief of the laboratory, said that pending the appointment of more personnel and provision of more equipment, they will be initially performing paraffin tests and authentication of the identity of motor vehicles in addition to conducting scene of the crime operation (SOCO).

Bentican said that examinations which their office cannot perform will be forwarded to the regional crime laboratory and to the national crime laboratory in cases of DNA testing.

Bentican believes that with the presence of a SOCO in the province, the criminal elements win lie low because they will have to contend with the scientific means of investigating and prosecuting crimes.

Kalinga Philippine Nation Police investigation chief PSI Joe Baday also said that the coming of the crime laboratory will be a great.

To prove his point, Baday informed that a SOCO could only be done on the murder of Vice Governor Rommel Diasen last April three days after and two days after the bloody demolition in Malapiat, Rizal last June because the SOCO team came all the way from Camp Dangwa in Benguet.

Baday said that while it is true that local police investigators are also trained in evidence gathering and handling, the SOCO are specialists and with them, “the proper way of gathering, preserving and transporting of evidence will be observed.”

“With the SOCO team already here, we can go together to the crime scene instead or waiting for them to come later,” Baday said.

Cordillera crime laboratory Chief Dalmacio Magastino, who was present during the inauguration on September 26, informed the media that there are five slots for the crime laboratory available this year to beef up the seven initial manpower of the office.

He also sees the addition of a forensic chemist to the team in the near future. With the addition of three such items for the Cordillera “one of whom will most likely be assigned to Kalinga.”

He informed that the establishment of the Kalinga laboratory is part of the program of the national leadership of the PNP Crime Laboratory to set up crime laboratories in all the provinces adding that the Kalinga crime laboratory is the second opened this year. **Estanislao Albano, Jr.

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