PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. has commended the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) headed by Brigadier Gen. Clifford B. Gairanod for a job well done in fighting criminality and keeping the country’s major thoroughfares safe, true to their name ‘Guardians of the Highways.’

The top cop particularly mentioned the string of accomplishments made by the PNP-HPG last week even as its men are on increased alert to help ensure the safety and security of the general public during the Holy Week and the rest of the summer period.

Last March 28, members of the HPG Regional Highway Patrol Unit 8 arrested three men who yielded a stolen car and shabu worth P7 million in Barangay Jubasan in Allen, Northern Samar.

Brig. Gen. Gairanod said that suspects Jabbar Azis, Aminollah Mohammad and Amenodeh Mamao were stopped for using a stolen motor vehicle. During routine inspection, the suspect yielded 10 plastic packets containing a kilo of the so-called ‘poor man’s cocaine’ valued at P7 million.

All three suspects are now being held at the Allen Municipal Police Station and facing criminal charges for illegal possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and violation of the anti-carnapping act.

On the same day, Brig. Gen. Gairanod said operatives of the Capiz Provincial Highway Patrol Team arrested Ringo Arbolado, a resident of Bgy. Lawaan in Roxas City for possession of illegal drugs and a loaded gun.

The official said the motorcycle-riding suspect was initially flagged down for over-speeding, not wearing a crash helmet and not having a side mirror on his motorbike.

While being questioned, the suspect appeared to be very uneasy and there is reason for him to act like one. Brig. Gen. Gairanod said the suspect was found carrying a caliber .357 Magnum revolver with eight live ammunition, eight heat-sealed plastic sachets containing shabu and drug paraphernalia. The pieces of evidence were discovered inside the suspect’s sling bag.

RHPU6 officers brought the suspect to the Roxas City Police Station for further investigation and filing of criminal charges for violation of RA 9165 and RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

The PNP-HPG has also partnered with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission led by its Executive Director, retired Police Major Gen. Gilbert DC Cruz in arresting a number of people facing charges for violation of RA 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Law of 2016 .

Two of those arrested as a result of the PAOCC-PNP-HPG Coplan: Ares NCR-Canare were Rhofe Ramos Canare and his wife Jenween Gonzales, both wanted for the carnapping and disposal of at least eight motor vehicles, six of which have already been recovered by the HPG and returned to their rightful owners.

The two were caught near Casino YBC along Rizal Avenue Extension corner 5th Street, Magsaysay, Olongapo City two Sundays ago. A record check showed that Rhofe was first arrested in an entrapment operation inside a restaurant in AliMall, Cubao, Quezon City last February 9 for violation of RA 10883, estafa and robbery-extortion.

He managed to post bail on February 17 and was released from the HPG National Capital Region Highway Patrol Unit lock-up facility.

Members of the RHPU1 also arrested Rengie Gulayda alias ‘Phjay Gulayda’ for violation of RA 10883. Gulayda, wanted for stealing a parked motorcycle in his workplace on September 13, 2021 before assuming his younger brother’s name to work in Manila, is a target of the PAOCC-supported HPG Coplan: Ares 11Bantilyan.

The suspect who has been tagged as the most wanted car theft personality in Ilocos-Pangasinan region was tracked down in his hiding place in Bgy. Palatiw in Pasig City by a team of PNP-HPG agents led by Major Carlo Loñosa and Maj. Edgardo Santiago.

Last February 1, another PAOCC-PNP-HPG operation codenamed Coplan: Ares 10 Momo in Bgy. Sangi in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu led to the arrest of Nelson Momo. The suspect is wanted for stealing a vehicle on September 5, 2020 before selling it to other persons.

Momo has been described as a member of a syndicate involved in the so-called ‘Rent-Tangay/Assume-Balance’ scheme to steal vehicles in the country.

The two unit’s Coplan: Ares 1 Agustin last February 28 likewise resulted in the arrest of Mark Anthony Agustin, a man accused of forcibly stealing a motorcycle from its owner Christian Yadao on July 30, 2018. The suspect was arrested in Bgy. Boquig in Bantay, Ilocos Sur by members of the Ilocos Sur Provincial Highway Patrol Team and the Bantay Municipal Police Station.

Gen. Azurin lauded the PNP-HPG for its swift action in apprehending violators of the law.

“The commitment of PNP HPG in keeping our national highways safe and secure not only benefits all motorists and road users but also significantly helps in the PNP’s goal of keeping our communities protected from the evils of illegal drugs. I am proud of HPG’s dedication and hard work in fulfilling our mandate to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of our people,” the top cop said.