Police chief visits, recognizes Tublay policemen

TUBLAY, Benguet - Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome recently visited the municipal police station here where he recognized the excellent performances of the staff.

Bartolome and his group from Camp Crame recognized five awardees of the station on September 22.

The awardees were commended because of their performances on the implementation of Presidential Decree 705, also known as the Forestry Code, and their apprehensions on illegal drugs.

Officer–in–charge Police Senior Inspector Ronald Nebreja Vizcara was given two awards: “Medalya ng Papuri” and “Medalya ng Kagalingan;” SPO4 Morales Primo and SPO3 Jonathan Pulig received the “Medalya ng Kagalingan;” while SPO3 Ilarbe Agustin and PO3 Nemer Comising were given the “Medalya ng Papuri.”

The awards stemmed from the incident in July, when the town’s police station intercepted P3.1-million worth of marijuana.

Vizcara was then informed by a concerned citizen regarding the transportation of the contraband through the town bound for La Trinidad, Benguet.

Upon receiving the information, the personnel established a checkpoint around 7 a.m. in Caponga. They were able to intercept a Hyundai van driven by Alipio Gil-o, 45, a resident of Bangao, Buguias.

Gil-o had three companions onboard the van. They were identified as Amor Cagayan, 28, single; Lindo Jose Sawasis, 39, married; and Arnis Apopot Mangilay, 32, married. They are all from Kibungan.

Police enforcers discovered 30 bricks and 14 pieces (in cylindrical form) of marijuana weighing 73.5 kilograms with a total market value of P3,197,500. Police learned the suspects loaded the items from Sinipsip, Buguias, Benguet.

The incident is considered the biggest operation of the municipal police station on illegal drugs. Most apprehensions on illegal drugs are along the Halsema Highway.

Apart from illegal drugs, the police personnel also did various apprehensions on illegal logging.