HPG-Kalinga cops bag Medalya ng Kagalingan after carnapping arrest in Tabuk

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Eight personnel of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG)-Kalinga were awarded the Medalya ng Kagalingan for their successful arrest of a carnapping suspect listed as the Top 3 Most Wanted Person in the province.

The Medalya ng Kagalingan is a commendation given to police personnel who demonstrate exceptional performance, professionalism, and dedication in the effective enforcement of the law, particularly in operations that significantly contribute to public safety and order.

On January 23, 2026, the HPG-Kalinga inaugurated its new building located at the Kalinga Police Provincial Office (KPPO) Headquarters at Camp Captain Juan M. Duyan in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

HPG Director PBGen Hansel M. Marantan led the inauguration ceremony, together with Kalinga PPO Director PCol Gilbert Fati-ig, other police officers, and provincial officials of Kalinga.

During the activity, PBGen Marantan personally bestowed the award on PCPT Jordan Lagyaban Bongat, PLT William Pugong Bu-ucan, PLT Ronnie Bassong Fangi, PEMS Paul Matib Gamonnac, PMsg Juliana Agaid Bayawoc, PSSg Omar Apaling Pelobello, PCpl Lawrence Ongat Awica Jr., and Pat. Cristann-Caessan Quilang Barsabal.

As cited in the certificates received by the awardees, the recognition stemmed from the team’s successful apprehension of a 21-year-old carnapping suspect, alias “Bogs,” in Barangay Nambaran, Tabuk City, on December 12, 2025.

In an earlier interview with GURU Press Cordillera, PCPT Bongat, who led the operation, said that Bogs was implicated in the alleged theft of a Honda motorcycle in July 2025.

Bongat narrated that the motorcycle was stolen after its owner briefly left it unattended to place a lottery bet. A witness later identified Bogs and one of his relatives as the individuals who took the vehicle.

Following the victim’s report, the HPG-Kalinga filed a carnapping case before Regional Trial Court Branch 25, presided over by Judge Jerson Echman Angog, which issued a warrant of arrest on December 11, 2025.

The warrant was served by the HPG team the following day, December 12, leading to the suspect’s arrest in Barangay Nambaran.

“Diay kinarnap ni Bogs ket diay Honda MMC, bale diay akin bagi gamin ket napan kanu tinmaya ti lotto, inbati na diay motor na. Idi nagsubli isuna, awanen diay motor na. Adda met dagiti agiinom iti asideg ti nangiparkingan na, ket nagdamag isuna no nakita da nu sino ti nangala. Awan kunada. Ngem adda met ti saksi a nangibaga nga ti nangala ti motor ket ni Bogs ken maysa metlang nga kamag-anak na. Idiay July 2025 dayta,” said Bongat during a GURU Press interview in December last year.

Meanwhile, the other suspect, identified as alias “EB,” was arrested by the Tabuk City Police Station.

With the successful operation, the eight HPG personnel received the award in recognition of their dedication to combating carnapping and reinforcing public trust in the police force’s commitment to maintaining peace and order in Kalinga.