Chan targets loose firearms, PAGs and ‘Wanted Men’
PNP PRIORITIES FOR MAY ELECTIONS
LINGAYEN—Pangasinan’s new police director, though not yet on a permanent appointment status, is out on a mission to round up loose firearms, private armed groups (PAGs), and wanted persons in the province.
Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, sitting as officer-in-charge (OIC) provincial police director effective December 27, said these are his top priorities to maintain peace and order in Pangasinan, especially in the May elections.
He said the objectives are consistent with the program of our Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Alan Purisima’s to crackdown on the three so these would not be used in the May elections.
Chan, a Pangasinense from San Quintin town, said based on a December 3 report, there are about 16,000 loose firearms in the province.
He warned gun owners with un-renewed licenses to sort out their permits before January 13, the day the nationwide gun ban starts.
“You can’t renew without surrendering your firearm if the permit had already expired two years ago.” he said.
CHECKPOINTS
The arrest of motorcycle-riding criminals, who have claimed many victims in the province over the last few years, will also be intensified.
More checkpoints will be in place by January 13 with the creation of the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Centers with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other units.
He revealed that there is already an ongoing “inter-operability exercise between the AFP and the PNP” in setting up joint checkpoints and patrols.
“These are being supervised by the Regional Special Operations Task Group under Chief Supt. James Bucayu, brother of Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Franklin Jesus Bucayu,” Chan said.
Chan also vowed to launch a vigorous campaign against PAGs and the solution of high-profile cases.
He said he would pursue investigations of sensational cases even if some suspects had already been arrested if the masterminds remain at large.
He cited the recent killing of Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez, and former Lingayen Vice Mayor Ramon Arcinue and his wife Zorahayda in February last year.
The arrest of fugitives totaling 1,523, including the most wanted and wanted persons with un-served warrants of arrest based on their inventory list for regional, provincial, city, municipal, among other areas where the suspects are operating will also be one of Chan’s priorities.
ILLEGAL GAMBLING
Meanwhile, Chan said he also ordered police stations in the province to pursue operations against all forms of illegal gambling.
“I would like to appeal to various sectors to help keep Pangasinan, the province that we all love, the safest place to live in. This is our home, this is our province, we must all love and be concerned about it,” Chan said.—Eva Visperas
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