Sorry for the inconvenience

(This column appears in today's edition of the Leyte-Samar Daily Express)

Hi there! It’s another weekend, and yes, a sweldo weekend. 31 more days to go and we’re in for the “ber” months. Needless to say, recession or no recession, we will always find ways to have the money to spend for Christmas. And here I go again, this early I would like to complain why is it that most of us people need to spend every penny there is each time Christmas comes around? It seems like they always forget that life continues after the holidays. And by life I mean bills to pay, food to be bought, and yes cellphone load. Anyway, es la vida.

So, PGMA is in the land of uncle Sam to meet with Obama. I’m still waiting for news reports about the visit as I wrote this column, until then will I give my take on the visits. In the meantime, let’s focus on the SONA. I missed Mareng Winnie’s analysis on the speech. But surely I agree with Rina David who called it the bitchiest SONA. I’m tempted to refer to it as a getting-even speech. You know, it’s that you’ve-been-castigating-me-for-so-long-it’s-time-that-I-get-back-on-you kind of thing. Smile! It’s a weekend!

While we are into SONA, I might as well mention sona of another kind. You know the act of rounding up criminals or suspected criminals in the community, especially each time a crime is committed. That is the kind of sona being advocated by some priests in Calbayog. I dunnow if that will work or not. I don’t know if the PNP is considering that option. Anyway, why should I be mentioning that? Let me say that the suggestion is not an invalid one. I do not disagree with our priests when they call for peace in the community. I guess it goes with their being guardians of our souls. Now a question - who will guard the guardians themselves? Especially if some of these guardians are into acts that simply discourage some people to be supportive of their church. Put it there. Otherwise we might not have a nice weekend.

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And what’s with today’s title? That’s the line I remember Mayor Mel Sarmiento saying during last week’s meeting of the security cluster at the Mayor’s Office. He was referring to the checkpoints which the PNP has setup in various points in Calbayog.

Among those who attended the meeting were Calbayog PNP Chief PSupt Lito Bigoy, Maj Jose Lim of the 20th IB, PInsp Karlou Caesar Camposano and PInsp Vicente Bullecer, Jr. of the PRMG. On top of the agenda in was the update on the investigations being made by the PNP on the reported shooting incidents in Calbayog.

Also discussed was the coordination to be made between the PNP and the Philippine Army and their respective tasks to maintain peace and order in the city. As reported earlier, the police troops from the PRMG will be conducting checkpoints in Calbayog. The Philippine Army through the 34th ID will conduct propelactic patrols in some barangays in Calbayog District particularly in the Upper and Lower Happy Valley areas, while the 20th IB will go on with its operations in the Tinambacan and Oquendo Districts.

As per report made by Calbayog PNP Chief PSupt Lito Bigoy, (as of July 22, 2009) the number of shooting incidents reported was at 27; and that most of these incidents are results of personal grudges, business problems, and in at least 1 case, of drug deal gone wrong. As of July 2, 2009, the status of the cases are as follows: 9 cases filed in court; One case was amicably settled (Affidavit of Desistance); One case with the suspect found dead; 12 pending investigation; 4 cases for filing.

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As I have stated in my column last week, let me give you details of the 27 shooting incidents in Calbayog, based on the report given by Supt Bigoy.

1. 061500 Jan 09; Brgy Roxas II, Oquendo District, Calbayog City; Homicide; victim: Angel Delos Reyes; suspects: Conrado Sipto, Nonoy Sipto, Angel Sipto, Malis Lucente and Berlito Sipto - all at-large; weapon: Homemade Shotgun; status of the case: Filed in Court-NPS Nr VIII-01-INV-09A-00015

2. 230700 Jan 09; Brgy Mancol, Calbayog City; Frust Murder; victim: Christopher Lacon; suspects: Dadong DeRafael Ebog Salindayaw - all at-large; weapon: Homemade Shotgun; case for filing.

3. 262030 Jan 09; Brgy Matobato, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Nicanor Rizabal; suspect: Unidentified Person; weapon: unknown Caliber; Pending Investigation.

4. 042200 Feb 09; Brgy Baha, Oquendo, District, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Jonathan Doroja; suspect unidentified; weapon: Cal 45; Pending Investigation.

5. 141800 Feb 09; Brgy Carayman, Calbayog City; frustrated murder; victim: Bobby Paglinawan; suspect: Jun-Jun Beduya - at-large; weapon: unknown caliber; case for filing.

6. 251640 Feb 09; Brgy Capoocan, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Renato Daguman; suspect unidentified; weapon cal 45; pending investigation.

7. 222200 Mar 09; Brgy East Awang, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Eduardo Nayanga y Dealagdon; unidentified suspect; weapon Cal 45; pending Investigation.

8. 270600 Mar 09; Brgy Guin-on, Calbayog City; Double Frustrated Murder; victims: Francisco Cano and Rebecca Tarrayo; suspect: Boy Mential (Dead); Homemade Shotgun; Suspect was found dead.

9. 031650 May 09 9; Brgy West Awang, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Romeo Erencio; suspect: Juan Tarrayo y Silao- voluntarily surrendered; weapon: Caliber 38 rev; case filed in Court-I.S nr VIII-10-INQ-09E-00014

10. 091700 May 09; Brgy Pilar, Oquendo District, Calbayog City; Frust Murder; victim: Bautista Cadahas y Panis; suspect: Ely Gultian y Libanan @ Eric – at-large; weapon: unknown Caliber; case for filing.

11. 162230 May 09; Brgy Dagum, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Dionesio Catulang; suspect unidentified; weapon Cal 45; Pending Investigation.

12. 082020 June 09; Brgy Central, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Jessie Oñate; suspect unidentified; weapon Cal 45; Pending Investigation.

13. 091030 June 09; P-4, brgy Capoocan, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Felix Lucio; suspect: Lito Abajo – at-large; weapon Cal 45; Filed under NPS # VIII-10-INV-09G-00094

14. 122330 June 09; Brgy Carayman, Calbayog City; Frustrated Murder; victim: Ernel Antor and Noel Tan; suspect unidentifie; weapon unknown Caliber; Pending Investigation.

15. 122330 June 09; Brgy Cabacungan, Oquendo District, Calbayog City; Double Murder and Multiple Frustrated Murder; victims: Arturo Pasacas and nine (9) other; suspect unidentified; weapon: M16 rifle, shotgun, caliber 45; Pending Investigation.

16. 142300 June 09; Brgy West Awang, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Ace Brozas y Adante; suspects: Ivan Aguilar and Archie Aguilar - all at-large; weapon unknown Caliber; For filing

17. 172130 June 09; Brgy Central, Calbayog City; Frustrated Murder; victim: Renato Cruda y Mortalla; suspect: Jimmy Botron -At Large and one (1) unidentified Person; weapon unknown Caliber; Amicably Settled (Affidavit of desistance)

18. 180130 June 09; Brgy Central, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Ursos Luna; suspect unidentified; weapon Cal 45; Pending Investigation.

19. 250700 Jun 09; Brgy Obrero, Calbayog City; Frustrated Murder; victim: Jonathan Isanan y Yulo; suspect unidentified; weapon Cal 45; Pending Investigation.

20. 292200 June 09; Brgy Central, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Mark Ganter Montis y Yu; suspect: Micheal Mendoza y Tarrayo-At Large; weapon: Cal 45; case filed under NPS # VIII-10-INV-098-00084.

21. 012045July 09; P2, Brgy Trinidad, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Eduardo Coquilla @ Eddie; suspect: Cesar Navato y Doinog – at-large; weapon 9mm; Filled under NPS # VIII-10-INV-09G-00090.

22. 040700 July 09; Between the Boundary of Brgy Migara & Brgy Esperanza; Murder; Victim: Paul Tomnob; suspects: Rodito Terga @Itong, Lito Abajo @ Litoy Marchal Jalayahay, Eddie Buracan, Zaldy Cagumoc, Jovencio Abajo @ Odit Abajo, Nelwin Juanerio @ Isong Jalayahay – all at large; weapon M-16; Filed under NPS # VIII-10-INV-09G-00097

23. 041930 July 09; Brgy Guinbaoyan Norte, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Jeffrey Palomeras y Ramonida; suspect: Rogelio Salvame y Fuertes-arrested; weapon Cal 45; Filed under NPS # VIII-10-INV-09G-00025.

24. 081830 July 09; Brgy Sinidman Occ, Calbayog City; Murder/Frustrated Murder; victims: Judel Cabundoc, Arsenia Cabundoc, Nerife Eclepse; suspects: Arat Septo @ Uloy, Joel Sevillano, Malix Anquilan, Berlit Septo - all at-large; weapon: M14 Shotgun; Filed under PNS # VIII-10-INV-09G-00092.

25. 121900 July 09; Brgy Cabacungan, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Gregorio Villanueva y Dacuyan; suspect unidentified Person; weapon unknown Caliber; Pending Investigation.

26. 190800 July 09; Brgy Patong, Calbayog City; Murder/Frust Murder; victims: Mateo Laoyon y Eyano, Eddie Fermino; suspect: Rodito Terga, Michael Terga, Bimbol Terga, John Doe’s - all at-large, William Terga – arrested; weapons M16, Cal 45 9mm; Filed under NPS # VIII-10-INQ-09G-00031

27. 202400 July 09; Brgy. Cogon, Calbayog City; Murder; victim: Noli Malabarbas y Alboro; unidentified suspect; weapon unknown Caliber; Pending Investigation.

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This is it for now. Have a nice weekend everyone! Ciao!