PRO8 INVESTIGATES ARSON OF TWO BUSES OWNED BY SILVER STAR BUS COMPANY

Camp Ruperto K Kangleon, Palo, Leyte - Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent Arnold Rayala Revilla said that exhaustive investigation is being undertaken by Almeria Police Station in coordination with Bureau of Fire Protection Naval Fire Station regarding the arson of two buses owned by Silver Star Bus Company at Brgy Talahid, Almeria, Biliran. Moreover, hot pursuit operations were also undertaken to apprehend the suspects the soonest possible time so that justice will be served.

This was he said after receiving report that on or about March 5, 2011 at around 1:00 AM, Brgy Captain Joaquin Sabetsana, of Brgy Talahid, Almeria, Biliran called thru cell phone of PSInsp Edwin E Cura, Chief of Police, Almeria Police Station, informing that the two (2) buses of Silver Star which was parked infront of their house located at Brgy Talahid, Almeria, Biliran was set on fire by more or less seven (7) persons.

Reportedly, the Brgy Captain noticed the suspects run towards three (3) motorcycles which was parked along the road and immediately fled going towards the direction of the municipality of Almeria, Biliran. The Brgy Captain reportedly identified the face of the driver of motorcycle STX Yamaha color red with covered plate number. Upon receipt of the information the COP immediately called the radio operator of BPPO to conduct checkpoint and gave description of the motorcycle which was reported to him by Brgy Captain Sabetsana for a possible apprehension.

Then at about 1:50 AM of same date, PSI Cura received a cell phone call from Biliran Public Safety Platoon that the drivers of the motorcycle subject for dragnet operation was flagged down at their sub station located at Sitio Poro, Brgy. San Roque, Biliran, Biliran. The suspects were identified as Jesie Olidan, 23 yrs old, single, Filipino, cell phone repair technician and a resident of Brgy Macalpi, Carigara, Leyte. Recovered from his possession and control are the following: one (1) back pack containing two helmets, one (1) unit cell phone (Samsung) model E13608, one (1) motorcycle (motorstar) color black without plate number and official receipt number and Teodoro Macalalag alias “Tedie”, 26 yrs old, high school graduate, habal-habal driver and a resident of Brgy Candigahub, Carigara, Leyte. Recovered from his possession and control are the following: one (1) unit cell phone (nokia), one (1) unit STX 125 (Yamaha) motorcycle color red with plate number 6155HG, OR number 927678080 and CR number 104517324 registered in the name of Teodoro I Macalalag.

Investigation conducted at the fire scene disclosed that the burned buses have the following plate number TYL 833 with body number 200602 and plate number TYL 287 with body number 200756 owned by Silver Star Shuttle Tours Inc managed by Martilino Mercado with address at Jam compound, Brgy San Antonio, San Pedro, Laguna.

Further investigation reported that two (2) charred bodies which were later identified as the bus drivers were found at the rear portion of the bus number 200602 with plate number TYR 833. The bodies were as Arnel Montano, 34 yrs old, Filipino, and a resident of Mondragon Northern Samar and Edwin Bargula, 47 yrs old, Filipino and a resident of Brgy Abuyog, Sorsogon City. After processing the crime scene by SOCO operatives, the cadavers were brought to Marvelos Funeral Parlor located at Naval, Biliran.

The damaged cost was estimated to be more or less Php 14,000,000.00. Information gathered further revealed that the motive of said incident was extortion made by CPP/NPA as they were asking increase of their revolutionary tax.

At present, documentation is being prepared for filing of appropriate charges in court.

Once again, CSupt Revilla directed all police commanders to step up security patrols and intensify intelligence-gathering to thwart similar rebel offensives. He also wanted to ensure the full implementation of the Police Integrated Patrol Systme (PIPS) nationwide to heighten policed visibility. He wants close interaction between the police and the community including the AFP through the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team or BPAT program to enhance crime preventive measures.