LINGAYEN—With the arrest of the alleged founder and two members of the Parojinog/Kuratong Baleleng crime group last week in La Union, local officials have called for a strengthening of security measures in Pangasinan.

The Police Regional Office 1 announced on April 16 the arrest of suspects Manuelito Francisco, 57, his wife Rizalina Francisco, 54, who is also an incumbent councilor of Ozamiz City, and their son June Francisco, alias “Omboy”, 31, resigned barangay chairman of San Roque, Ozamis City.

The group was arrested in San Fernando, La Union.

The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) hailed the arrest and called for the “strengthening of security measures to prevent notorious armed criminals from operating in the region”.

P/ Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, police region 1 director, told newsmen the Franciscos were intercepted on board a Toyoya Innova by a checkpoint on Diversion Road in Bangcusay, San Fernando, after being seen in Vigan City.

Intelligence reports stated that Manuelito, alias “Lapad”, established his own group after breaking away from Kuratong Baleleng. His group is known to be behind the series of robbery, illegal drug trading, and guns-for-hire in Mindanao.

They were subjects of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Edmundo Pintac of the Regional Trial Court of Ozamiz City.

Hearing the report of Sapitula, Laoac town Mayor Silverio Alarcio Jr., president of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League, proposed to the RPOC to encourage all barangays in the region to make it mandatory for transients or new faces to register in their areas.

He said the move will restrict movements of criminal elements and terrorists in the region. (Leonardo Micua)

 

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