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After UPLB student's killing, Los Baños police chief sacked, 53 cops reassigned
(UPDATED 5:05 p.m.) - The head of the Los Baños police in Laguna was removed from his post following the robbery-slay of another University of the Philippines Los Baños student last weekend.
Superintendent Dante Novicio was relieved following a series of crimes in his area of responsibility, radio dzBB reported Monday.
Region 4-A police head Chief Superintendent James Melad said Novicio was removed from his post after UPLB agriculture student Ray Bernard Peñaranda was robbed and stabbed dead on Sunday by two robbers near the campus.
Artist's sketch of one of the two suspects in the killing of UPLB student Ray Peñaranda. UPLB Police Force
Peñaranda and his companions had come from a dance practice when two motorcycle-riding men held them up around 200 meters from the campus.
A separate report on Bombo Radyo said Chief Inspector Conrad Basungsong has been tapped to replace Novicio. Killing of another UPLB student
In an interview with GMA News Online on Monday, Laguna Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Gilberto Cruz, confirmed that all 53 members of the Los Baños Police Station will be reassigned effective on Monday. The reassigned police personnel will be replaced by other Laguna police. UPLB Chancellor Dr. Rex Victor Cruz declined to comment on the reassignment. Cruz said the reassignment was a command decision. At 5:30 p.m. today, there will be an indignation rally organized by UPLB student leaders. P200,000 reward
In an interview on "Balitanghali" on GMA News TV on Monday, Cruz said a P100,000-reward is being offered for any information that may lead to the arrest of the two suspects in the murder. The suspect was reportedly seen on a blue motorcycle. Later in the afternoon, Cruz said the reward was increased to P200,000 courtesy of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito. Lack of police visibility
"Ang suspect po natin, ang taas niya ay 5'5" hanggang 5'6", medyo medium build, medyo kayumanggi. At ang gamit gamit niya ay isang motorsiklo na parang kulay blue ang pagkakakita," he said.
Meanwhile, Cruz noted the lack of police visibility at UPLB.
"Parang kulang yung ginagawa na police visibility. Ngayon, ginawa namin para magsipag-sipag sila," he said.
Cruz said these cases are highlighted because students are involved. "Medyo highlighted dahil mga taga-UP, nangyayari malapit sa UP," he said.
Cruz said UPLB will continue to work together with the local government to fight crime.
While the incident occurred off campus, security will be increased inside the campus, particularly late at night. "Dito sa loob ng campus ay naghihigpit kami ng seguridad. Nagdagdag kami ng mga tauhan sa security namin, inimprove ang mga ilaw, at hihigpitan namin ngayon yung ID system," said Cruz in the "Balitanghali" report on Monday.
He also reminded the public to avoid going out late at night and to report any suspicious behavior.
"Hindi naman ho araw-araw nangyayari iyan. Ang kailangan lang ho talaga ay mag-ingat po tayo at huwag na tayong maglalalabas lalo na kung gabi na, kung wala naman ho tayong gagawin sa labas ay maiwan na lang po tayo sa bahay natin," he said. "At siguro kung mayroon silang nararamdaman na may sumusunod sa kanila, agad i-report sa pulisya o kaya sa barangay na pinakamalapit. Ang pinakamaganda, naaagapan," he added.
Sunday's killing was the second of a UPLB student in the last six months.
In October 2011, Given Grace Cebanico, a computer science student, was raped and killed while handcuffed.
Her body was dumped in a canal along Apec Road in Los Baños. A security guard and tricycle driver were arrested and charged with the crime.
Like Peñaranda, Cebanico lived in student quarters in Umali Subdivision, a short distance from the campus' main gate. On Sunday afternoon, a group of UPLB student leaders met to plan an indignation rally Monday afternoon to denounce the crimes against UPLB students. – with Carmela Lapeña, KG/RSJ/VVP/HS, GMA News
