SUICIDE CASE
Cop may face admin
raps for negligence

The police officer assigned at the detention cell of the Bacolod City police office may be administratively liable if it is proven that his negligence had enabled the entry of the insecticide that was taken by a 71-year-old inmate Monday.

Acting Bacolod City police director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar yesterday said the police officer on-duty could be placed under a pre-charge investigation to determine his liability.

The inmate was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital after he took 120-ml of Malathion insecticide, police reports said.

Quebrar said he had instructed the Bacolod Intelligence and Investigation Branch to investigate who handed the pesticide to the inmate. Initial reports said it was the suspect's wife, but she vehemently denied this.

The inmate was arrested by the Bacolod Warrant and Subpoena Section operatives Saturday on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Ray Alan Drilon of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 41 for four counts of rape, police reports said. Reports said the inmate raped his two daughters, aged 12 and 13 sometime in 2003.*DMG

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Prevent revolutionary
tax collection, guv, solon call

Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said the military and police should step up efforts to stop rebel taxation and destruction attacks on property of those who refuse to pay.

At the same time he said the Army in Negros has stepped up its pursuit of the New People's Army.

We should only pay one tax, which is to the legitimate government that is the Republic of the Philippines, he said.

Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (3rd District, Neg. Occ.) yesterday also said he is urging the Philippine National Police to prevent NPA members from collecting revolutionary taxes from sugarcane planters in the province.

Lacson, who spoke at the 16th Philippine National Police anniversary at Kanlaon Hall, Camp Montelibano, Bacolod City yesterday, said it is really unfortunate that this is happening in the province, and police officers should pre-empt such an act because it affects the essence of the democratic process.

On Sunday, suspected NPA rebels burned two tractors and a truck owned by the family of EB Maglona Mayor Alfonso Gamboa in Brgy. Caduha-an, Cadiz City, and an 18-hectare sugarcane field owned by Reynaldo Bantug in Brgy. Mabini, Escalante City, allegedly for their refusal to pay revolutionary taxes.

The police said the estimated damage to the farm equipment of the Gamboas was P550,000.

Cadiz City police head Chief Insp. Jefferson Descallar yesterday said he has communicated with Mayor Gamboa and had instructed his men to find witnesses for the filing of cases. He said they also coordinated with the Philippine Army about the incident.

Descallar said police initial investigation showed the suspects were alleged members of the NPA who were reportedly extorting certain amount as revolutionary taxes. He added that the suspects retaliated through burning the properties of the complainants.

Meanwhile, Lacson lauded the efforts of the Negros Occidental Police Office for keeping peace and order situation in the province. "If there is no peace and order, there can be no development", Lacson said.

He said he believes the PNP could play a very important role in maintaining peace and order, as well as in enhancing the programs of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Gov. Joseph Marañon and local officials.

Lacson, assisted by NOPPO provincial director Supt. Rosendo Franco, San Carlos Mayor Eugenio Lacson and Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan, awarded plaques of merit to individual and unit awardees and plaques of recognition to local government units and non-government organizations.*DMG

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