IMUS, Cavite, Philippines — The Cavite Police Provincial Office (CPPO) is sprucing up the “Cuartel” (former Spanish garrison) for the Christmas season and incoming visit of Director General Raul M. Bacalzo, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), to the area.

Senior Supt. Danilo L. Maligalig, CPPO director, led the beautification move at the Cuartel, which virtually turned it into a park, particularly at nighttime with the lights of giant Christmas lanterns.

Maligalig said that the facelift at the Cuartel is being made for the Christmas holidays and the visit of the PNP chief which is tentatively slated on November 26.

“We hope to make the historic Cuartel happier and livelier for the public and the police officers and men and their families, during the Christmas season. The PNP chief will also come for a visit,” said Maligalig.

The centuries-old Cuartel is where the PPO or the Cavite central police headquarters and the Imus Arsenal and Museum stand. It was also the former site of the defunct Philippine Constabulary (PC) headquarters. (Anthony Giron)

10 SHOPLIFTERS FALL IN BATAAN

MARIVELES, Bataan, Philippines — Police operatives arrested Saturday afternoon 10 suspects who were allegedly caught in the act of stealing grocery items inside the public market, and confiscated from them two firearms and ammunition in Barangay San Carlos, this town.

Sr. Supt. Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan police director, said that most of the suspected shoplifters were strangers who came from as far as Bulacan province, saying they might be part of a robbery/holdup gang operating in the region.

In his report, Supt. Rommel Velasco, chief of police here, said that first to fall was Ogie Bernardo of Poblacion, Guiguinto, Bulacan who was caught in the act by a saleslady of stealing grocery items inside the PJ grocery store owned by one Rolan de Leon.

Bernardo allegedly stole five pieces of toothpaste tubes then hid it inside his underwear. Velasco said that as soon Bernardo was questioned, his nine other companions immediately scampered and escaped towards a beach resort.

But alert policemen stationed at the public market were able to conduct hot pursuit against the suspects who boarded their service van until they were cornered at Upper Purok 6 in Barangay Ipag. (Mar Supnad)

COPS APPREHEND 2 ‘FAKE’ AGENTS

HERMOSA, Bataan, Philippines — Two suspected extortionists who posed as “agents” of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were arrested Saturday as they tried to extort protection money from two traders at the public market in Palihan, Hermosa town.

Sr. Supt. Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan police director, said the suspected extortionists were identified as Romulo Cana, 39 of Central, Quezon City, and Gilbert Burlat of Barangay Duhat, Bocuae, Bulacan. Gunnacao said the two were collared based on the complaints of traders Ann Ala and Richelle Ala who are engaged in selling cellular phones inside the Palihan public market.

Based on the investigation conducted by Chief Insp. Jeremias Dayo Jr., chief of police of Hermosa police station, the two suspects introduced themselves to the victims as alleged regular agents of the NBI covering Bataan and Olongapo City and that, Dayo said, the traders should give weekly protection money for them to engaged in their business without hassle.

The suspects allegedly demanded a P250 weekly protection money from Ann while another P200 weekly protection money from Richelle. (Mar Supnad)