INTO THE MAINSTREAM. Three communist rebels pose with their rifles after their surrender to the Army's 37th Infantry Battalion in Lebak town, Sultan Kudarat province Sunday (Feb. 12, 2023). On the same day, a female NPA combatant also yielded in T'boli town, South Cotabato. (Photo courtesy of 6ID) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao Norte - Four communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels have separately surrendered to military authorities in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato provinces, military officials here reported Monday. In a statement, Lt. Colonel John Paul Baldomar, the Army's 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB) commander, said three of the rebels yielded Sunday at the battalion headquarters in Lebak town, Sultan Kudarat. Baldomar identified the surrendering guerrillas only through their first names as Patrick, a member of NPA Platoon Madrid; Toto of Platoon Baghdad; and Jay-Ar of Platoon Beijing. They belong to the NPA's Sub-Regional Command (SRC)-Daguma of Far South Mindana
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. (File photo) MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday called for a reassessment of the existing rules on the entry of foreign workers in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. made the appeal amid the series of kidnapping incidents involving POGO workers. "It is high time that we reassess, we reevaluate our policies on POGO employees entering the country. This is why we require that they should be given a national police clearance so we have a means to check who these Chinese nationals are and at the same time, we ensure that those entering the country are not criminals," Azurin said in a radio interview. Azurin added that the status of these aliens must be regularly checked to determine whether their stay in the country is for lawful purposes. "There must be a way to check whether they are already overstaying or their work permits are expired. Where do they stay? The village perso
ARRESTED DRUG SUSPECT. Drug suspect Vincent Delos Reyes was unharmed following a shootout that resulted in the death of William Dionisio, a suspected drug dealer on Sunday (Sept. 11, 2022) in Barangay Bunguiao, Zamboanga City. The suspect, together with his slain cohort, are allegedly involved in selling illegal drugs in the village. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga City Police Office) ZAMBOANGA CITY - A suspect died while 10 others were arrested in a series of drug busts that resulted in the dismantling of three drug dens that yielded PHP775,200 worth of illegal drugs in this city, police officials said Monday. Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the PNP Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said 38-year-old William Dionisio died in a shootout with policemen in Sitio Pinya, Barangay Bungiao around 5:13 p.m. Sunday. Based on investigation, Dionisio sensed he was dealing with an undercover police officer and pulled out his handgun and fired but missed. Police officers hiding nearby r
ASG SURRENDERERS. Seven Abu Sayyaf Group bandits based in Basilan province surrender Thursday (August 4, 2022) through the 'whole of nation' approach of the police together and the military. They are formally presented at the headquarters of the 84th Special Action Company of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force in Zamboanga City following their surrender. (Photo courtesy of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao) ZAMBOANGA CITY - Seven members of the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) yielded to authorities in Basilan, a police official said Friday. Col. Richard Verceles, Area Police Command-Western Mindanao operations chief, said the surrender was prompted by the 100 ASG members who yielded in Sulu on July 30. Verceles said the group surrendered Thursday in Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan, through the "whole of nation" approach initiated by the police with the support of the military and intelligence service of the government. They were then presented around 3
SURRENDERED FIREARMS. Some of the firearms surrendered by four New People's Army rebels in South Cotabato on June 24 and June 26, respectively. The Army's 6th Infantry Division called on the NPA in Central Mindanao Tuesday (June 28, 202) to turn themselves in or face their fate from pursuing government forces. (Photo courtesy of 5th Special Forces Battalion) CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao - Four New Peoples' Army (NPA) rebels separately surrendered to authorities in South Cotabato, the military said Tuesday. Lt. Col. Zandro Alvez, Army's 5th Special Forces Battalion commander, said the rebels yielded in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, on June 21 and June 24; the other two also surrendered separately in the towns of T'boli and Banga on June 26. Alvez said the four surrenderers turned over an SLR rifle, two Carbine rifles, a Thompson submachine gun, a .45-caliber pistol, an anti-personnel mine, and ammunition. Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong, Army's 6th Infantry Division commander