METRONEWS February 2 , 2012
Lim orders manhunt vs rob-slay suspects
By Itchie Cabayan, journal.com.ph

MANILA Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday ordered a manhunt against the suspects who robbed a laundry shop in Sta. Cruz recently, killing its owner and seriously injuring the latter’s wife and helper.

“These criminals must be brought to justice at the soonest time possible,” said Lim, who lamented the gravity of the circumstances attendant to the said incident.

Lim noted the suspects did not content themselves with stealing but even stabbed and left for dead three of the shop’s occupants.

According to the mayor, victims Charlene Chioa, 34, wife of owner Calvin, 35, and one of their helpers were just fortunate to have survived despite their stab wounds, unlike Calvin who died instantly.

Lim said he has met with Manila Police District (MPD) director C/Supt. Alex Gutierrez who updated him on the development of the follow-up operation being conducted as well as the breakthroughs on the suspects’ identities.

Gutierrez, the mayor said, has also assured him that no stone will be left unturned in the investigation of the case and its early resolution.

It was learned from Gutierrez that a closed-circuit television footage taken on the day when the crime took place may help the police establish with certainty the identities of the suspects.

The robbery took place after four men disguised as maintenance personnel entered the Chioa-owned Bulls Eye Laundry Shop in Sta. Cruz, Manila at around 5 a.m.

The suspects tied up the helpers and then proceeded to the room of the Chioas where they stabbed the couple and the nanny of their four-year-old son Nate, before carting away all the money and valuables they found and took with them the victims’ car, a white  Toyota Corolla, bringing the boy with them.

The car and the boy were later found separately abandoned in a nearby street.

Sacked driver sought

Meanwhile, sources said the police is looking into the angle that the suspects may have been led by the victims’ former driver, who was fired from his job.         

Aside from Calvin having reportedly mentioned the name “Richard” before breathing his last and that there was no forcible entry, sources said the familiarity of the suspects with the location of the victims’ room and the location of the car key were also an indication as to the identity of at least one of the suspects.

However, it was learned that a certain “Richard” surfaced yesterday at the Naga Police, denying any involvement in the said crime.   He will be brought to Manila for further investigation by operatives under Supt. Jemar Modequillo, station commander of MPD-Police Station 2 and the homicide section under S/Insp. Joey de Ocampo.

A certain “Ricky” was also said to be among the suspects, as the helpers heard his name being called out by his cohorts who ordered him to serve as the lookout downstairs while they proceeded upstairs.

Police have yet to talk to Charlene and show her a photo gallery which may include the suspects, as she is still recovering from her wounds.

METRONEWS February 1 , 2012
Lim: Stricter curfew during schoolbreak
By Itchie Cabayan, journal.com.ph

THE curfew ordinance prohibiting minors from loitering the streets of Manila from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. will be implemented even more strictly during schoolbreak.

Thus declared Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, as he directed chief of staff and media bureau director Ric de Guzman to make the necessary coordination with all concerned government units to ensure that the prohibition is enforced to the letter.

With the students going on vacation a few months from now, Lim noted that the school children will all the more have spare time to hang out at night and thus expose themselves to unscrupulous individuals engaging in illegal activities and petty crimes.

These youngsters, if allowed to loiter in the streets at night, have the possibility of ending up either as victims of crimes or part of it, the mayor said.

Lim also noted that gang wars and rumbles also usually occur at late nights until the wee hours of the morning, even as the kids face being lured to vices such as drugs and illegal gambling.

The mayor specifically directed De Guzman to coordinate with Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Alex Gutierrez, barangay bureau director Atty. Analyn Buan and social welfare chief Jay dela Fuente regarding the continued and even stricter implementation of the said ordinance during vacation season.

Lim said barangay officials must be tapped to aid in disseminating information regarding the mechanics of the said ordinance.  

City Ordinance 8046 sets a curfew on minors, or those aged below 18.  It prohibits them from loitering in the streets, commercial establishments, recreation centers, malls or any other area outside the immediate vicinity of their residence unless they are: accompanied by their parents, family members of legal age or guardians; running lawful errands such as buying medicines; using telecommunication facilities for emergency purposes and the like; students of night schools and those who, by virtue of their employment, are required to stay outside their residence after 10 p.m. or those working at night.

Those either studying or working at night are required to secure a certification from their punong barangay exempting them from the curfew or present documentation or identification proving that they are indeed night students or workers.

Violators who are apprehended will be held at the barangay hall or holding center while the parents, relatives or guardians of the minor concerned are being contacted for turnover.

An offender who is homeless, abandoned or neglected, or has no known parent or relative, will be referred to the custody of the Manila Youth Reception Center or the City Hall’s social welfare department.

First time offenders will be sanctioned with reprimand while those exercising parental authority over him will be admonished.

For the second offense, the penalty is reprimand and admonition with a warning about the legal impositions while a third and subsequent violations will be punished with an imprisonment of from one to ten days, or a fine of P2,000 or both, depending on the court’s discretion, provided that the complaint is filed with the punong barangay or the office of the city prosecutor.

Barangay officials are to warn the children about the curfew at least one hour before its imposition through warning bells, bullhorns or public address systems.

METRONEWS January 21 , 2012
Lim calls for continued friendship, unity with Fil-Chi community
By Itchie Cabayan, journal.com.ph

A CALL for continued friendship and unity was made yesterday by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to members of the Chinese-Filipino community as they celebrate the Chinese New Year with traditional activities beginning today.

“Ke Filipino New Year o Chinese New Year, iisa ang aking panawagan. Ang pagkakaisa, pagkakaibigan at pagmamahalan ng mga Pilipino at Chinese. Iwasan ang awayan at pag-iisip ng hindi maganda sa kapwa. Kung Hei Fat Choi!” Lim said.

The mayor, it was learned, will lead the series of activities lined up starting today and leading to the traditional ‘Grand Parade’ on Monday, the day marking the Chinese New Year’s Day itself.

As in the previous years, Lim will be joined by city officials as well as officials and members of the various local-based Chinese organizations in going around and witnessing colorful lion and dragon dances that will be held in the streets of Chinatown.

At 7 a.m. this morning, Lim will grace the `Dragon Dance Parade’ at the Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz fronting the Binondo Church and organized by the Philippine Chinese Golden Wild Dragon and Lion Dance Group in Manila, Chinatown.

Tomorrow, another Chinese New Year Parade will be held from the Friendship Arch on Quintin Paredes Street corner Gandara Streets, going to Ongpin, to be followed by an opening program for the New Year festivities.

At 8 p.m., there will be a cultural show, countdown and fireworks display at the Quirino Grandstand, to be followed by a celebration at the Manila Hotel where Lim will be among those who will lead the ritual of dotting the `Lion’s Eye’.

On Monday, Lim will lead gift-giving activities in separate areas in the city during the morning.

During the mid-afternoon, Lim will deliver a message at the Plaza Lorenzo Ruiz for the members of the Chinese-Filipino community during the celebration of the Chinese New Year itself. This will be followed by the ‘Grand Parade’ around Chinatown, where streets are expected to be filled with thousands of revelers.