CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO, La Union — Police officers have collared three suspects in separate theft and robbery incidents in Ilocos region through an intelligence-driven checkpoint in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, police reported yesterday.

Reports received by BGen. John C Chua, Region 1 police director, identified the suspects as Marlon Padaco, 31, married, driver; Ceasar Mangamling, 41, married, gardener, both residents of Brgy. Tapapan, Bauko, Mt. Province, and Milton Padaco, 35, married, driver, native of Brgy Lagawa, Bauko, Mt. Province, and resident of Brgy. Tamurong, Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

Chua said the ntelligence-driven checkpoint was established after a robbery incident was reported in Bauang, La Union.

Ransacked on Jan. 4, 2023 was the house of Virginia Ardina, incumbent President of Liga ng mga Barangay.

Allegedly stolen from the house were valuables and cash amounting to more or less P423,000. Taken from the vehicle were the sling bag of George Picardal containing P100,000 in cash, bank book, ATM cards, and a Cal. 45 MAC pistol.

The victims said the suspects fled on board a Toyota Innova bearing plate number AAK 6113 which was seen in a CCTV footage.

At 11 p.m. of January 6, Col. Lambert A. Suerte, Provincial Director, La Union Police Provincial Office, informed Col. Marlo A. Castillo, Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office Director, that the said vehicle was sighted within his area of responsibility.

This prompted Castillo to order all police stations to immediately conduct intelligence monitoring and establish checkpoints.

The suspects were flagged down at a checkpoint in front of the police outpost in Brgy. Bonifacio, Cabugao. They were arrested by the Cabugao police.

Recovered from the suspects were two cal. 45 pistols, a hand grenade, a Glock 9MM Pistol, bolt cutter, 28 live ammunition for a cal. 45, 18 live ammunition for a 9MM, white crystalline substance believed to be shabu, five cellular phones (4 touch screen and 1 keypad) and other personal belongings, said Col. Dante A. Lubos, chief of the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division.

Meanwhile, after close coordination among authorities, Picardal positively identified the recovered cal. 45 MAC as his firearm which was stolen from their house in Bauang on January 4, 2023. The recovered Glock 9 MM pistol was also discovered to have been stolen from A1 First Class Rienel Arcona and Airwoman Josea Mariz Sarabia, both members of the Philippine Airforce based at Villamor Airbase, Pasay City during their stay at the Ohana Transient House, Brgy. Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte on December 23, 2022.

Gen. Chua commended the concerted efforts and close coordination among police units which led to the successful operation. “The no let-up investigation efforts of LUPPO, the Intelligence build up, immediate dispatch of troops for checkpoints of Ilocos Sur PPO, and the Inter-operabilities and cooperation of other PPOs, brought us this successful endeavor. This is proof that we should always work as a team. Congratulations, Team PRO 1!,” Chua told People’s Tonight.

The recovered firearms were subjected to ballistic exam and FED verification, the vehicle used subject to verification by the LTO and HPG, and the cellphones subjected ed to digital forensic exam at the PNP-ACG. The recovered white crystalline substance will be subjected to baboratory examination by the PNP Forensic Group.