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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP boosts drive against street-level crimes for safer communities

PNP boosts drive against street-level crimes for safer communities

Published Mar 15, 2026 12:03 pm  |  Updated Mar 15, 2026 02:02 pm
(Photo courtesy of Philippine National Police)
(Photo courtesy of Philippine National Police)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday, March 15, that it has stepped up its campaign against street-level crimes to make communities safer and ensure faster action against offenders.
Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PNP Chief, cited the swift arrest of two suspects in the brutal robbery-slay of three cellphone technicians in a botched gold bar deal in Cagayan last week.
“This arrest shows our enhanced intelligence-driven operations at the grassroots level. Our commitment is not only to prevent crime but to ensure fast police response against law offenders,” he said.
According to police, two male suspects, aged 31 and 48, were arrested on March 13 in Barangay San Juan in Buguey, Cagayan as they were tagged in the killing of three cellphone technicians whose bodies were found a day earlier along a provincial road in Barangay Sta. Teresa in Lal-lo town.
Authorities said the victims had traveled from Tuguegarao City for a gold sale meeting near Grupo Medico De Dios Hospital in Barangay Bulala in Calamaniugan town.
Investigators said the victims were shot several times and robbery is believed to be the motive after P1.1 million and a cellphone belonging to one of the victims went missing.
Police recovered a 9mm pistol, an M16 rifle with a defaced serial number, improvised shotguns, a rifle grenade, ammunition, tactical gear, and several mobile phones from the suspects during the arrest.
Nartatez said the arrests also showed how cooperation between residents and authorities helped speed up the investigation.
“The coordination between the community and the local police was vital here. This is proof that when the public trusts the police, cases are resolved more quickly,” he said.
Nartatez also expressed sympathy for the families of the victims as he directed the local police to file a strong case against the suspects.
“To the families of the victims, we offer our deepest condolences. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan (We will not let you down). Justice is being served and we will ensure the prosecution is airtight,” the PNP Chief noted.

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PNP cellphone technician Cagayan gold deal street-level crime
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