REGIONS BRIEFS: Sept. 6, 2018

Suspect in Abra blasts nabbed

BAGUIO CITY — The Abra police on Tuesday arrested one of three suspects in the grenade blasts that killed two policemen and injured 26 people, including Abra Rep. Joseph Bernos and his wife, during a fiesta celebration on Jan. 25 in Bangued town.

Joel Millare Balucas, 45, a farmer, was served an arrest warrant issued by Judge Raphiel Alzate of the Regional Trial Court in Bangued at his home in Lagayan town, according to the Cordillera police.

Balucas is facing charges of double murder and multiple counts of attempted murder. —Kimberlie Quitasol

13 cops sacked as ARMM police cleanse ranks

COTABATO CITY — The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) police dismissed 13 policemen as it started ridding its ranks of erring personnel.

Senior Insp. Jemar de los Santos, spokesperson for the ARMM police, said the dismissed policemen were part of 37 officers from the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan, who were slapped with administrative charges this year.

De los Santos said this number was lower compared to the 138 policemen who faced administrative and criminal charges last year.

“This indicates the determination of [the ARMM police] leadership to improve [the] police’s image,” De los Santos said in a statement.

Chief Supt. Graciano Mijares, ARMM police director, assured that these policemen were given due process. —Edwin Fernandez