SAN MATEO, Rizal – A police officer here who has gone on AWOL (absence without leave) since 1995 was ambushed and killed by six unidentified men, believed to be communist rebels, at Greenland subdivision, Barangay Ampid I, San Mateo. Chief Inspector Anastacio B. Benzon, San Mateo police chief, identified the policeman as PO2 Virgilio "Boyet" Gabriel, 37, married, of Sitio Daang Bakal, Barangay Guinayang, San Mateo, Rizal. He was ambushed by four unidentified men riding two motorcycles. Two other men served as lookouts, witnesses said. An unidentified person was hit by a stray bullet and was taken to a nearby hospital. Gabriel was gunned down while on board his owner-type jeep. He was going home at about 8 a.m. the other day to his house in Barangay Guinayang when he was attacked. Policemen were still looking into the motive of the slaying. (Bert C. Javier)

Teenager faces murder raps for slaying of boy

CAMP MACABULOS, Tarlac City – Policemen have filed murder charges against an out-of-school youth who allegedly stabbed dead a 12-year-old boy at a videoke bar in San Manuel, Tarlac. This came after the suspect had failed to locate his girlfriend who was reportedly employed at the Acasia Videoke Bar in San Manuel as a guest relations officer (GRO). Senior Supt. Nicanor Ancheta Bartolome, Tarlac police provincial director, said the suspect, Adorable Pasig Jr., 19, of Barangay San Felipe, San Manuel, surrendered Sunday noon at the San Manuel police community precinct No. 1, bringing with him the kitchen knife he had allegedly used in stabbing 12-year-old John Mark Almoite of Barangay Legaspi in that town. Case officer SPO1 Rolando Salgado said the teenage suspect, reportedly under the influence of liquor, stabbed John Mark several times in the body, "without any provocation and with superior strength that caused the victim’s instantaneous death." Investigation showed that Pasig, apparently vented his anger on the victim who was seated in the beer joint. Pasig had failed to locate his GRO girlfriend in the videoke joint. (Fred Roxas)

Man hacked to death  by his drinking buddy

MORONG, Rizal – A 40-year-old man was hacked to death by his drinking pal during a heated argument, it was reported yesterday. The victim was identified as Julito Yosore of Barangay Lagundi, Morong. He died of multiple hack wounds in different parts of the body and was declared dead on arrival at the Rizal Provincial Hospital. The suspect, Bernie Sabit, who escaped, is now being hunted by police. A belated report reaching the office of Senior Supt. Freddie Panen, Rizal provincial director, said that the incident occurred at about 8 p.m. last Sunday at Sitio Balanti, Barangay Jose, Morong. Initial investigation conducted by PO3 Rafael Maray, case officer, said Yosore and Sabit together with several friends were having a drinking bout when the duo engaged in an altercation. Sabit reportedly got irked, whipped out a bolo, and hacked the victim several times. Witnesses said that they were helpless to pacify Sabit because were afraid they might be harmed. (Madelynne Dominguez)

Cattle rustling cases up in San Carlos City

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan -- Cattle rustling is on the rise again. This was reported by City Mayor Jolly V. Resuello during a radio interview here last Monday. The mayor recalled that in previous years, he met with the alleged cattle rustlers operating in the city and offered them livelihood projects for their subsistence in order to stop their activities. He has directed city chief of police Supt. Johnny B. Bacbac to intensify the campaign against all forms of criminality particularly cattle rustling. Mayor Resuello, now on his final term, sought the participation of barangay officials in the fight against crimes. (Norman Caguioa)