Shown in their mugshot photos are Provincial Board Member/IPMR Randy Ogian Salo and his secretary, Ronalyn Esteban Pasagian, who were identified by police as suspects in an entrapment operation conducted by the Baler Municipal Police Station on Sept. 18, 2026, in Barangay 1, Baler, Aurora.
BALER, Aurora — An Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Provincial Board Member and a staff member were arrested in an entrapment operation conducted by the Baler Municipal Police Station on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.
Police identified the suspects as Randy Ogian Salo, IPMR Provincial Board Member and resident of Purok 6, Barangay Ditale, Dipaculao, Aurora, and Ronalyn Esteban Pasagian, secretary and resident of Purok 4, Barangay Ditale, Dipaculao.
The operation was conducted at around 10:16 a.m. at Honesto Restaurant, also known as Ben’s Halo-Halo, along Quezon Corner Carrasco Street in Barangay 1, Baler.
According to Police Major Donna Fe M. Galban, Chief of Police of the Baler MPS, the operation stemmed from a complaint involving an alleged irregularity in the payment for transportation services rendered during the 2025 Indigenous Peoples Day.
During the entrapment operation, the parties met at the said establishment. Police reported that after the suspect allegedly received PHP260,000, operating personnel immediately effected the arrest and recovered the money.
The arrested suspect and recovered evidence were brought to the Baler MPS for documentation and proper disposition.
Police said appropriate charges under Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, are being prepared for filing before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.
News5 attempted to interview the suspects, but they declined to give a statement and said they would consult their lawyer.
Meanwhile, information gathered by News5 indicated that 64 vans were allegedly declared as transportation units at the Provincial Capitol by Board Member Salo, while only 11 vans were allegedly rented through a cooperative. The information forms part of the allegations that remain subject to investigation and verification.
Provincial Prosecutor Atty. Jobert Reyes said the incident had already been brought to his office’s attention and that they are awaiting the documents to be submitted by the police for review and appropriate action.
Authorities also reportedly confiscated a vehicle bearing a red government license plate that was associated with Board Member Salo during the operation.
The allegations against the suspects remain subject to the appropriate legal proceedings. (Jason de Asis)