SAN FERNANDO CITY–The police have started its campaign against the resurgence of politicians’ private armies.

Four persons, one of them a wanted man, were recently arrested and several high-powered firearms and ammunitions were seized in Pangasinan in connection with the preemptive moves against the emergence of private armed groups in the coming election and against threats from terrorists.

Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil announced on Friday that the police in Region 1 are on full alert against terrorism by political groups.

Bataoil said the police in Region I already established check/choke points with emphasis to vehicles moving along the roads without plate numbers.

He has also ordered more police visibility and the deployment of trained members of the Special Weapons and Tactics team in several sensitive areas for the duration of the political campaign period.

Initial results of the police intervention resulted in the arrest of one Manny Colisao of barangay Banaoang, Malasiqui last January 12, who was tagged as a member of a criminal syndicate involved in guns-for-hire, robbery and hold-up; and retired Master Sergeant Modesto Melchor and his brother Dominador, both of barangay Panaga, Manaoag, from whom several high powered firearms were also seized.

Also arrested was one Joel Flores, 28,  tagged as the  principal suspect in the slaying of Jose Doton, secretary-general  of theá militant group Bayan and chairman of the Timpuyog Dagiti Mannalon a Mangwaya-waya ti Agno (Timmawa) in May last year in San Nicolas town.

Siezed from Colisao, who has  pending cases for robbery-holdup in Manaoag and San Jacinto towns, were one Cal. 45 pistol (Remington), one spare barrel for Cal. 45 pistol and one detached motorcycle plate number.

Bataoil said that the group of Colisao was also monitored by the police for being engaged in hijacking.

Seized from the Melchor brothers were one Cal. M-16 baby armalite rifle, one cal. 45 pistol Colt Mark 4, 10 long magazines for M-16, one short magazine for M-16; two magazines for Cal. 45, seven rounds of ammunitions for Cal. 45; and 180 rounds of ammunition for M-16.

Also intensified were the Task Force Armas, the sectorized mobile patrolling and deployment of Task Force Hagibis, the quick reaction to dragnet operations and surveillance monitoring of target personalities.

Flores was earlier arrested for legal possession of firearms and assault upon and agent of person in authority in connection with the Doton slaying. However, he managed to post his bail bond.

 The firearm found in Flores’ possession was proven by the PNP Crime Laboratory to be the same gun used n the shooting of Doton. — LM

 

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