THE Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) is closely monitoring a known private armed group (PAG) in the province that could create trouble during the campaign period for the National and Local Elections (NLE) and on Election Day.

In a virtual forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency on Monday, Jan. 25, PPPO Director P/Col. Richmond Tadina said the activities of the “Sison Criminal Group” even under a downgraded status are being closely monitored.

While no town or city is currently being considered a hotspot because of PAGs, the Sison Group is considered a prospective PAG, Tadina said.

He said the classification of the group has been downgraded because some of its members have died and arrested while others are still at-large.

“Two died, eight were arrested and four at large,” Tadina said. “But the PNP cannot afford to be complacent especially this year being an election year,” he added.

Tadina added that although the category of the group has been downgraded, authorities have no reason to be complacent, in a bid to ensure a peaceful and orderly elections on May 9.

It may be recalled that the Philippine National Police identified the Sison Group as the group behind the ambush of former Governor and 5th District Representative Amado T. Espino Jr. on September 11, 2019 in Brgy. Magtaking, San Carlos City.

The PNP named former 2nd District Representative Board Member Raul Sison as the mastermind. Sison died due to COVID-19.

Espino was wounded in the ambush while his aide S/Sgt. Richard Esguerra and his driver Agapito Cuison were killed. (Jerick Pasiliao)

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