CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — All is set for Chief Superintendent Edgardo Laddao to assume the directorship of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), here, as Chief Supt. Allan Purisima relinquishes the post today.

The turn-over rites will be held this morning at the PRO Clubhouse, here. Laddao, current director of the Northern Police District (NPD), said he is ready to take on the challenge of neutralizing all criminal groups in Central Luzon.

Purisima, who is set to be promoted to director (equivalent to 2-star general rank), will be the new National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) director, officials at this camp said. (Franco G. Regala)

Mountain cops start to ride

KABAYAN, Benguet — Foreign and domestic tourists scaling the Mount Pulag National Park, the second highest peak in the country, and other hard-to-reach tourist destinations in this landlocked province will be assigned with policemen riding on horses.

Dubbed “Mountain Cops” or the Benguet Mountain Police Unit, the horseback riding law enforcers will be the province’s counterpart in the tourist oriented police and community oriented police (TOP COP) program of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

They will assist the public in times of emergencies and other difficulties. (Dexter A. See)

P1.2-M property razed by fire

TUGUEGARAO CITY — At least P1.2 worth of property went up in smoke when fire razed a 2-storey house in Barangay San Gabriel, this city, last Sunday. Senior Fire Officer 2 William Guttierez said the fire at the house of Jerry Vinluan, an employee of the National Food Authority (NFA), might have started from a flat iron left plugged to a power outlet on the second floor.

No casualties were reported in the fire that completely gutted the house made of wood. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Pangasinan new task force

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — To combat criminal activities related to illegal vices, the police announced yesterday the creation of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Gambling Special Operations Task Force (PAIGSOTF).

Senior Superintendent Rosueto V. Ricarforte, Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, said the PAIGSOTF will be responsible for stopping the operation of all forms of illegal gambling, particularly “jueteng,” a popular numbers game. Riarforte said there will be three teams under the task force, each with a team leader and seven members, and assigned to two congressional districts each. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Vigan mayor back pay hike

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Mayor Eva Marie Singson Medina had expressed her support to the proposed wage hike for workers both in the private and public sectors due to the continuing increase in the prices of prime commodities.

On the celebration of Labor Day last Sunday, Medina said: “I guess the private business sectors should now share their profit to their workers through increasing their worker’s wages considering that their workers are the key players for the smooth operations of their business or their company.

” In her appeal for generosity among local employers, the lady mayor cited the legacy of the city’s illustrious son, Don Isabelo de los Reyes Sr. or “Don Belong,” who founded the first Philippine Labor Union. (Freddie G. Lazaro)