NAGA CITY (September 22, 2009) - - WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THE PEÑAFRANCIA FIESTA, Bicol PNP Regional Director, Chief Supt. Ruben E. Padua commended Police Supt. Tomasito Clet, head of the City Police District Office for the orderly celebration of the Peñafrancia festivities recently held here, and for reducing street crimes during the festivities by as much as 80% percent.
City Police District Office spokesman, PO3 Tobias Bongon, said the result of the police preventive efforts against crime during the festivities was "phenomenal."
With an augmentation police-force of 225 personnel from Camp Ola, Legazpi City, the City police force prevented the proliferation of street crimes, "bodol-bodol gangs," robbery-holdup groups, snatchers, slashers, and pick-pockets which was often common during festivities.
Bongon reported that a group of snatchers from Albay, who had even billeted at Fiesta Hotel here, was apprehended by the police. One of the members, "Rowel" from Legazpi City, informed the police about his four companions at the hotel, after he was caught in the act of snatching during the civic parade.
With the augmentation force starting to return to Camp Simeon Ola on Monday, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo also lauded the efforts of the PNP for the police personnel still deployed at the grounds of the Peñafrancia Basilica at Barangay Balatas. Due to the continuous arrival of pilgrims mostly from Metro Manila on Monday, the local PNP maintained police presence in the area.
But while the bulk of the police force in the region was fielded in this city, shooting incidents and a robbery holdup were also reported in other towns during the height of the Peñafrancia festivities.
At barangay Calascagas, San Fernando Cam. Sur, site of the Charlie Company, 22nd Infantry Bat. detachment, Army Corporal Jaime Ramos, detachment commander was shot to death by a CAFGU member, Cesar Homo Rentoria, 29, using a Garand rifle, after a heated argument at a drinking spree.
Reportedly, the suspect voluntarily surrendered to the authorities at San Fernando town.
Meanwhile in Iriga City, an accidental gunfire hurt two minors at the residence of Joel Notorio at Barangay San Isidro here.
A 7 year-old girl, Sheryln Codot Calderon, was accidentally shot on her left arm, after her brother Ronalyn, 13, pulled the trigger of a cal. 38 pistol which was found in a box while the minors were helping clean the house. Reportedly, the elder sibling pulled the trigger out of curiosity.
The bullet ricocheted and also hit the right foot of Ronalyn.
The police recovered the Cal. 38 pistol, five bullets, one empty shell, and a deformed slug fired from the pistol.
In Barangay San Isidro, Libmanan town, fish dealers Salvador and Nelly Rubi were held-up by four suspects, divesting the couple of jewelries and an undetermined amount of cash sales.
One of the suspects shot Salvador Rubi who sustained two gunshot wounds, before the suspects fled on foot toward adjacent barangay Bahay. (SONNY SALES)