RSOG ARRESTS CATBALOGAN JAIL ESCAPEE IN CALBAYOG CITY

Camp Ruperto K. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, December 7, 2012  –  This man can no longer continue his fondness with guns as the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG8) of Police Regional Office 8 brings him to his rightful place in jail.

Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA identified the suspect as Junie Mañoso Diaz, also known as Mayo, 48, single, jobless, a resident of Brgy Peñaplata, a hinterland barangay in Gandara, Samar.

            “The suspect is fond of bringing firearms which is illegal if you do not have license and permit to carry,” SORIA said. He added that Diaz was previously arrested in the past for illegally possessing firearms.

            The Regional Director informed that an intelligence driven operation was launched in the early morning of December 5 at Brgy. Tumaligues in Calbayog City based on information given by an informant on the presence of a fugitive at said area. 

            The suspect was surprised but did not resist arrest when elements of RSOG under Police Inspector Constantino Jabonete, Jr. arrested him inside his residence.

            The police team was armed with an Alias Warrant of Arrest for Illegal Possession of Low Powered Firearm under Criminal Case Number Y8-K-133 issued by Hon. Judge Alma Uy Lampasa of Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Catbalogan City.

Judge Uy recommended an amount of P60,000.00 for the suspect’s temporary liberty.

            SORIA disclosed that aside from being an escapee, suspect is also a parolee for similar offense.

            “He was arrested in Catbalogan City for bringing firearm on May 25, 2008 and while detained at the PNP lock-up cell awaiting trial, he managed to escape sometime in December that year,” the region’s top police official averred.

            SORIA further informed that suspect has previous records of arrest for similar offense and was sentenced on October 20, 2004 after he has been found guilty for violation of Republic Act 8294 in criminal case number Y4-D-186.

            “He was on probation effective January 12, 2004 per order of Judge Salvador Jakosalem of Catbalogan Municipal Trial Court until he was re-arrested in 2008,” he added.

            The RSOG brought Diaz to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) detention facilities in Catbalogan City for proper disposition. 

            SORIA further assured Eastern Visayas folks on the continuous implementation of Manhunt: Charlie, the PNP’s campaign against wanted persons.

“We will leave no stone unturned in conducting manhunt operations against those wanted by law for them to face the consequences of their committed crimes,” the regional director ended.

RSOG ARRESTS “EDDIE GARCIA” FOR RAPE

 

Camp Ruperto K. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, December 6, 2012  –  Eddie Garcia can no longer portray his real-life villainous activities as the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG8) stamped out his evil deeds.

 

Eastern Visayas police director Police Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA said that the namesake of multi-awarded veteran actor Eddie Garcia, a 48-year old farm laborer from Brgy. Cavite, Alang-alang, Leyte was captured by the elite team from the Police Regional Office 8 recently inside the Alang-alang Cockpit Arena.

 

“He even tried to escape but our men have already secured the entrance and exit points of the gallera,” SORIA said.

 

The Regional Director is hoping that the arrest will finally bring justice to Garcia’s 13-year old daughter, a second year high school student, whom he allegedly raped inside their house in the evening of June 19, 2012.

 

Records showed that the victim sought police assistance at the Alang-alang Police Station and after a thorough investigation. A case for rape was filed against the suspect on June 25, this year.

 

On October 30, Judge Crisologo S. Bitas issued an arrest warrant against Garcia for the crime of Rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code as amended by Republic Act 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997.

 

Judge Bitas did not recommend any bail bond for Garcia’s temporary liberty.

 

Director SORIA said that he is proud of his men who initiated the suspect’s arrest.

“This is a product of dedication and excellent intelligence work that makes us all proud of our police officers who deserve our highest commendation.” SORIA averred.

SORIA LEADS OPENING OF PRO8 CHRISTMAS SPORTSFEST

            Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, November 28, 2012 – Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA led the opening ceremonies of Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) Christmas Sportsfest 2012 at PRO8 Grandstand yesterday afternoon.

            “Subscribing to the principle that a “Sound Mind Breeds Sound Body”, PRO8 adopted a physical fitness and sports development program geared towards the promotion and development of sports in the Philippine National Police and the implementation of a physical conditioning and physical fitness program for its personnel,” SORIA informed.

           PRO8’s Human Resource Doctrine and Development Division (RPHRDD) prepared a simple program to usher in the start of the sports competition aimed at developing the total well-being, health and physical fitness of PNP personnel in the region and promote the morale, discipline and esprit-de-corps among them.

An advocate of sports and healthy lifestyle, SORIA believes that the sportsfest will not only showcase the participants’ athletic abilities but also develop teamwork among the players, build stronger camaraderie and friendship and inculcate the true essence of sportsmanship.

“As police work is inherently stressful, this is a form of diversion from our daily routines and a way to relieve stress, to unwind from mind-exhausting workloads or compliances; and most of all, to keep us healthy and physically fit,” the PNP regional director said in his message.

Players from all the sports, not just from basketball, which kicked off after the ceremonies, represented their teams, carrying their team banners in a brief parade around the PRO8 oval.

Lasting for nearly half hour, this year’s opening rites was highlighted by the raising of team banners and the search for Ms. PRO8 Christmas Sportsfest 2012, won by NUP Elizamar Reposar of the Red Team.

The sportsfest is participated in by 7 teams with the following team colors: Yellow team (Office of the Regional Director, Command Group), Blue team (Regional Headquarters Administrative Divisions), Red team (Regional Headquarters Operations Divisions), White team (Tacloban City Police Office), Black team (Leyte Police Provincial Office), Orange team (National Support Units) and Green team (Regional Public Safety Battalion 8).

The events to be contested are Mountain Biking (men and women/individual and team), Basketball (men), Volleyball (men and women) and Lawn Tennis (men/singles) and will be conducted during athletic days every Tuesday and Thursday and the awarding of prizes to Top 3 teams/individuals will be held during the PRO8 Christmas Party.

SORIA reminded the participants that the main purpose of the sportsfest goes beyond exhibiting the colorful uniforms and sports abilities but on the partnership they will enjoy with their respective team, the friendship that will be developed and the solidarity that will be built.

“Sports are not just about competition and winning, sports are also about laughing and having fun,” SORIA ended.

PRO8 SUPPORTS “18-DAY CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, November 26, 2012  -

Police Regional Director Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA has called on women and children victims of violence, exploitation and abuse to seek help by going directly to Women and Children Protection Desks (WCPD) that the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) has put up in all police stations throughout the region.

            SORIA made the pronouncement as he expressed support to the observance of the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women” that started on November 25 and ends on December 12, 2012.

            The annual campaign, spearheaded by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), has a theme “VAW-Free Society in Times of Peace, Conflict and Calamity” and aims to highlight the importance of weaving-in gender concerns into the blanket of initiatives spanning armed conflict to disaster situation assistance. 

“We are fully supportive to this campaign as PRO8 has our own advocacy intended at zero statistics on the abuses committed to women and children in the region.’” SORIA said.

SORIA had directed all line units to conduct simultaneous activities and coordinate with other government agencies, local government units, NGOs and the general public in raising awareness about Gender-based Violence (GBV) in crisis situations and to forge partnerships among stakeholders in addressing GBV concerns.

As part of forging partnership and increasing support mechanisms to VAW victim-survivors, he cited the Nov 15 signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between PRO8 and PLAN Philippines for the strengthening of the 13 Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs) and establishment of additional WCPUs in 9 other PLAN-covered municipalities in the region.

PRO 8 SET FOR AGI-ORSITE CY 2012

Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte - The five-day Annual General Inspection on Operational Readiness, Security Inspection Test and Evaluation starts today (November 19 – 23, 2012) to test the overall readiness of the Philippine National Police in Eastern Visayas.

PRO 8 Regional Director PCSUPT ELMER RAGADIO SORIA said that the Annual General Inspection – Operational Readiness Security Inspection Test and Evaluation (AGI-ORSITE) is an annual activity conducted by the Internal Affairs Service of the PNP to gauge the competency of its units and all police personnel when it comes to their duties and responsibilities as law enforcers.

SORIA assured that the police officers of Region 8 are very much prepared to undergo this annual activity.

In fact he said that the readiness of his personnel for the annual inspection from the regional office down to the lower offices has always been observed by his men even without the assessment from the higher headquarters.

The capability, effectiveness and readiness of his uniformed and non-uniformed personnel in addressing mandated duties and responsibilities will be checked and evaluated by the team headed by PCSUPT ISMAEL PUCUT LAPIRA, RHQ Inspection Team Leader.

The police station's defense and fire plan and the execution of scenarios such as first aid, medical evacuation, arrest-search and handcuffing techniques, hostage taking negotiation, scene of crime operations, interdiction/close quarter battle and conduct of checkpoints are all set for inspection.

The pro 8 Director said he has constantly reminded his men to observe the "Tamang Bihis" at all times and to always bring along with them white handkerchief, whistle, writing notebook with ball pen, handcuffs and be prepared to answer questions to be raised by the inspectors.

The best police regional office nationwide will be judged based on its readiness and superior operational and administrative accomplishments.

 

PRO8 STRENGTHENS TIES FOR PROTECTION OF WOMEN, CHILDREN

 

 

Camp Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, November 16, 2012 - Recognizing the crucial role of the active participation and support of partner organizations to the Philippine National Police for the success of any women and children protection program initiative, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) mustered the support of an active NGO partner to the advocacy of the PNP aimed at zero statistics on the abuses committed to women and children in the region.

“There is great importance of the role of women and children not only in our personal lives but also in the society and future of the country. PRO8 promotes their rights and at the forefront of protecting them against all forms of abuse and exploitation to include trafficking, prostitution and in the protection of child offenders.” said PRO8 director Police Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between PRO8 and PLAN International, represented by its program manager, Mr. Rodel Bontuyan at Hotel Alejandro in Tacloban City.

“We made a firm commitment to focus on proactive community-based initiatives in collaboration with other concerned government agencies and civil society aimed at promoting crime prevention and citizens’ involvement in crime-fighting, thereby substantially reducing if not totally eradicating, the victimization of persons specially women and children,” he added.

           

Corollary with the “Learning and Growth” aspect of the PNP Patrol Plan 2030 which aims to develop competent, motivated and values-oriented personnel, PRO8 had strengthened the Women and Children Protection Desks (WCPDs) region wide by providing WCPD Investigators with appropriate trainings, specifically the “10-day Specialized Course for WCPD Officers” which benefited a total of 192 WCPD personnel from police stations and the “Orientation-Seminar on Child Labor Law” conducted last month.

SORIA acknowledged the support extended by PLAN International on the areas of partnership in the training of personnel, the establishment of Women and Children Protection Units or WCPUs in PLAN-sponsored areas and the creation of Multi-Disciplinary Teams catering to the needs of women and children, especially those victims of abuse and exploitation.

“Let’s start by ensuring that any crime against women and children will automatically receive the highest and fullest attention and commitment for investigation and prosecution. With this MOA signing, we are confident that our already strong partnership will be enhanced especially in the areas of women and child protection, promotion of their rights and their best interest”, he said.

PLAN International is one of the oldest and largest children's development organization in the world and works in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. In Eastern Visayas, PLAN Program Areas are situated in the three Samar provinces and Southern Leyte.

The organization supported the establishment of existing 13 Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs) and additional 9 municipalities in PLAN-covered areas in the region to provide protection to women and children-victims of abuse and exploitation and build linkages with concerned agencies, which is managed by trained Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) composed of doctors, social workers, and police officers. The WCPU provides child-friendly and gender-sensitive services on investigation of victims, conduct of forensic medical examination, and psychosocial interventions for women and children victims of sexual and physical abuse.

Among the salient provisions of the MOA is for PRO8 to ensure the quality of human resources to undergo various training programs, particularly in the areas of women and children protection, to its WCPD Investigators assigned at WCPUs and for PLAN to establish quality WCPUs and facilitate formation of Multi-disciplinary Teams.