2 top cops promoted for busting KFR gangs

National Police Commission (Napolcom) Chairman Angelo Reyes announced yesterday the special promotion of two police superintendents who led their units in neutralizing three kidnap for ransom (KFR) groups operating in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. of the Quezon City Police Department and Superintendent Ferdinando Sevilla of the Bulacan Provincial Police Office would be promoted to the next higher rank of senior superintendent, equivalent to a full colonel in the military.

Reyes, who is also the Interior and Local Government secretary, said all that is needed is President Arroyo’s approval since both have been found worthy of being rewarded for their achievements.

The Napolcom chief said the approval was made after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao certified that both officials met all the requirements for the special promotion.

Napolcom records showed that Durana, as station commander of the QCPD-Station 7 in Cubao, led a manhunt that resulted in the successful neutralization of the Ilonggo-Waray-JasoJaso KFR group along the Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City on Sept. 27, 2004.

Sevilla, on the other hand, was cited for his exemplary competence and dedication to duty in leading successful police operations as chief of the Intelligence and Investigation Branch of the BPPO from December 2000 to September 2002.

Napolcom records reveal that he led the neutralization of two KFR groups in the province, resulting in the killing of Enrique Mangaluz, Bulacan’s public enemy No. 1, and Rocky Maon, leader of the Tanggols Group.

Operations also led to the arrest of suspects in a double homicide case in Barangay Malbong Matanda, Panda, Bulacan.

Napolcom Vice Chair Imelda Roces said they validated the heroism of Durana and Sevilla based on Lomibao’s recommendations and that of the PNP Senior Officers Placement and Promotion Board (SOPPB) and the Special Promotion, Awards and Decorations Board (SPADB).

She explained that under Republic Act 6975, or the PNP Law, any PNP member who has exhibited acts of conspicuous courage and gallantry at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty shall be promoted to the next higher rank provided that the Napolcom shall validate such acts based on established criteria.

Cops Recover Car Used By KFR Gang

Police anti-kidnapping agents have recovered the vehicle used by the "Doce Pares" gang in the abduction of a Chinese engineer in Quezon City last Sept. 15.

The vehicle, a red Nissan Sentra, was confiscated by elements of the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) team during a raid Wednesday at the house of PO2 Alexander Pangilinan in Sitio Peñafrancia, Barangay Mayamot.

Pangilinan, assigned at the Office of the Businessman’s Concern (OBC) of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), managed to elude arrest, a Camp Crame source said.

PACER agents were led to Pangilinan’s residence by PO1 Candido Vallejo, who earlier admitted his participation in the kidnapping of Michael Chua Chan, 44.

Vallejo, PO1 Roger Villarente and PO1 Roel Palana were arrested by combined elements of the Eastern Police District (EPD), Rizal PNP and the local CIDG last Tuesday after they were tagged in the slaying of one-year-old Erica Charlene Guevarra during a robbery in Cainta town last Sept. 14.

During tactical interrogation, Vallejo reportedly admitted his role in Chan’s abduction in Barangay Milagrosa in Proj. 4, Quezon City.

Chan was found dead in a ravine along Marcos Highway in Barangay Inarawan two days after his abduction.

Like other "Doce Pares" gang members, Pangilinan was formerly assigned with the Pasig City police before his transfer to the District Mobile Force (DMF) of the EPD. "Members of the gang are what we call 15-30 policemen, who report only to collect their salaries," said the source. Pangilinan’s last assignment was with the OBC-CIDG.

The gang leader, PO2 Joel Tapec, is now in hiding.

Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Cainta police chief and his men went to Tarlac and Pangasinan two days ago, but failed to find Tapec. – With Non Alquitran