CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Justice may be right in the horizon for the family left behind by radio broadcaster Jovelito Agustin of DZJC Aksyon Radyo based in Laoag City. Chief Superintendent Orlando M. Mabutas, Police Regional Office 1 director, reported Saturday that the suspect in the killing of Agustin last June 15 was arrested on Thursday. Quoting a report from Senior Supt. Marlou C. Chan, Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, Mabutas identified the suspected gunman as Leonardo Velasco Banaag Jr., alias “Jake Banaag,” of legal age and a resident of Barangay 5 in Bacarra town, Ilocos Norte. He was arrested at his home at 2:25 a.m. on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by a court in Laoag City. (Dexter A. See)

BATAAN ANTI-VICE DRIVE SUCCEEDS

ORANI, Bataan – Anti-vice operations launched by police in this province has gained success as four suspects allegedly involved in the operation of an illegal numbers game in this town were arrested over the weekend. Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Bataan, led by Chief Inspector Rogarth Campo, identified those arrested as Ronald Parto  who is said to be a Personnel Recorder of the Small Town Lottery (STL) bookies; Francisco Macandili, Maximo Diamante and Cesar Dimayuga, all of Barangay San Pablo, here. Their arrest came after the complaint of John Torres, the administrator of Sunset Bay Research and Marketing Corporation which is the legitimate franchise-holder of STL in this province. (Mar T. Supnad)

POLICE SOLVE RIZAL CAPER

STA. CRUZ, Laguna – Two suspected members of the “Gapos Gang” allegedly involved in the robbery of a business establishment owned by Director Luizo Ticman in Cainta, Rizal last Monday  were arrested by the police in a follow-up operation in Barangay Dayap, Calauan, Laguna, before dawn Saturday. Senior Superintendent Gilberto Cruz, Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, said suspects Gidlon Dusaban and Neil Caniete, alleged members of Gapos Gang, were arrested by joint Cainta and Calauan Police Stations operatives in their safe house at the National Housing Authority (NHA) resettlement area in Barangay Dayap around 4:30 a.m. The group recently attacked the Rublou Market Office owned by Ticman on Bonifacio Avenue, Greenland Subdivision, Barangay San Juan, Cainta, Rizal. The duo carted away P2 million in cash, cellular phones and laptop computers. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

U.P.D.E.P.P. URGES HIGHER BUDGET

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – Instead of a violent protest, the University of the Philippines-Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga (UPDEPP) Student Council and League of Filipino Students (LFS) held a forum and discussion on the cut in next year’s education budget, particularly affecting state colleges and universities (SCUs). At least 70 students wearing white shirts as their symbolical protest to the budget cut released an official statement urging the Aquino administration to give education a higher budget. (Franco G. Regala)