MANILA, Philippines - Wanting the city to be a "discipline zone" in time for the opening of
classes in June, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Friday ordered police to clear key roads of "obstructions."
Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that Lim issued the order following a command conference with the Manila Police District (MPD) in City Hall.
Lim said he particularly wants C.M. Recto Avenue near the University Belt, and the Divisoria-Binondo areas cleared of obstructions like vendors and double-parked vehicles.
He also ordered the MPD to make sure traffic flow in those areas, considered bottlenecks because of stalls and eateries, is smooth. -
July 17, 2008
COVER ALL MANHOLES -- LIM
By: Itchie G. Cabayan People's Tonight
MANILA Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday suspended classes in all levels and ordered city engineer Armand Andres to ensure all manholes remain covered amid the heavy downpour which left a number of streets flooded.
He also told Andres to conduct a citywide inspection of streets that might have been damaged by the floods.
Early in the morning, Lim ordered the suspension of classes in the primary and secondary levels. He later decided to include the collegiate level due to heavy rains in order to prevent the students from getting stranded.
July 9, 2008
RECORDING DEVICES BANNED IN MANILA CINEMAS - ISKO
By: Itchie G. Cabayan People's Tonight
THE city council of Manila has passed an ordinance penalizing the use, possession or control of any audiovisual recording device inside an exhibition facility.
The ‘Film Protection Ordinance of Manila’ penalizes offenders with imprisonment of from six months to one year or a fine of P5,000 or both.
A public official caught violating the same will be permanently disqualified from public office while an alien offender will face deportation after serving sentence, after which he will no longer be allowed entry into the country.
Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Francisco Domagoso, better known as Isko Moreno and who principally authored the ordinance, said the proposal includes the use or even an attempt to use an audiovisual recording device such as a camcorder, video recorder or handycam to transmit or copy any performance in an exhibition facility.
An exhibition facility, he explained, is any cinema house, film theater, screening room or other venue used for the showing or exhibition either in full or in part, of a film or audiovisual work to the public, whether for a fee or for free.
The offense is particularly committed when the violator does so at a time when copyright subsists particularly with regard the film concerned.
July 2, 2008
LIM CITES TAIWAN-MANILA RELATIONS
By: Itchie G. Cabayan, People's Tonight
TAIWANESE businessmen and tourists visiting Manila can expect full protection from the city’s law enforcers, Manila Mayor Alfredo told a visiting Taiwanese delegation that made a courtesy call at city hall yesterday.
Lim gave this assurance to Ambassador Donald C.T. Lee of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, who was accompanied by General John Chen, Minister Jacqueline Liu, director James Chang, Chinese-Filipino Business Club president emeritus Atty. Daniel Laogan and Manila director for international relations Ma. Teresita Villegas.
In the meeting, Lim said that as sister cities, Manila and Taipei should “continue treating each other with mutual respect, esteem and love.”
He cited Taipei’s help such as the donations fire engines and ambulances, which he hoped to reciprocate by protecting its nationals while they were in Manila.
“All of you are most welcome here. Consider us your family,” Lim told Lee and company, as he gave his assurance to provide whatever help the city government may be able to extend.
He mentioned Laogan and Chen, whom he said has been his friend since he was director of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Lee, for his part, thanked the mayor for the VIP treatment accorded to them and inviting them as special guests during the awarding of the Outstanding Manilans, which highlighted the city’s 437th founding anniversary.
The ambassador also expressed gladness that Lim, whom he described as “down to earth,” is once again the mayor of Manila, citing how the city has progressed under his helm when he first held the reins in the early 90’s.
It was learned that the sister-city relationship of the two cities was established as far back as 40 years ago.
Lim said the people of Taipei are most welcome in Manila and that the city is willing to assist them in their needs, regardless of whether they are tourists or businessmen. see picture at EVENTS section...
June 19, 2008
Philippine Star
MANILA COPS NAB LTO ‘FIXERS’
By: Sandy Araneta
Manila policemen arrested last Monday five alleged fixers preying on applicants for driver’s licenses and other documents at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Manila South Agency.
The Manila Police District Special Project Unit (DSPU)-Manila City Hall identified the suspects as Alfredo Corbadora, 46, of No. 2036 Smith St., Malate, Manila; Willy Pangilinan, 55, of Kalaw Compound, L. Guererro St., Malate; Luisito Corpuz, 41, of No. 1325 San Gregorio St., Paco, Manila; Rocky Larcena, 26, of No. 1905 J. Bocobo St., Malate; and Aurelio Grafil, 48, of No. 639 Tenement Bldg., Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila.
Police Senior Inspector Marcelo Reyes, in his report, said the incident happened at around
The
Police said the suspects have been victimizing people transacting business at the LTO.
The suspects offer their services and charge fees, which is against the law, police also said.
Police Senior Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez, chief of the DSPU, deployed police operatives to investigate the reports.
June 13, 2008
INQUIRER.net
MAYOR LIM'S CLOSE AIDE AMBUSHED, SON SERIOUSLY HURT - POLICE
By Thea Alberto
MANILA, Philippines -- An alleged assailant was killed while seven others, including a top aide of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, were hurt during an ambush in Quezon City Thursday night, police said.
The group of lawyer Rafaelito Garayblas, secretary of Mayor Lim, was waylaid around 7 p.m. along Araneta Ave., in Quezon City, said Superintendent Franklin Mabanag, chief of the Quezon City Police District Criminal Investigation Division.
Garayblas’ son, who was with him during the attack, was in critical condition, a Manila City Hall source said. Five other companions of Garayblas were injured.
They were attacked by two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle with plate number 344 ND, Mabanag said.
One of the assailants, identified only as Abasola, died during a gunfight that ensued, he said.
Police were eyeing the possibility the attack was work-related, Mabanag added. -Allison Lopez, Philippine Daily Inquirer
June 10, 2008
People's Tonight
LIM ORDERS PROBE OF MPD STATION CHIEF
By: Itchie G. Cabayan
MANILA Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday ordered a probe into the reported negligence of Manila Police District (MPD) Station 8 Commander, Superintendent Jimmy Tiu and the abundance of crime in his area of jurisdiction.
Lim directed his chief of staff Ric de Guzman to issue a memorandum to MPD Director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales for the latter to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action immediately.
De Guzman said the probe should also include reported irregularities I the activities of Tiu’s men.
Prior to this, the office of Mayor Lim received reports on the complaints of Sta. Mesa residents that Station 8 cops under Tiu are allegedly too preoccupied with effecting arrests on small-time crimes such as drinking in public places and staying out half naked.
The residents allege that Tiu has even assigned his deputy station commander and a certain Major Juan to regularly patrol certain areas such as the ones near the Stop & Shop in Old Sta. Mesa, in search of ordinance violators.
All these, they said, while more serious crimes such as robbery, snatching and holdup cases continue to victimize helpless residents in Sta. Mesa, such as the one that occurred last May 7 atop the Ramon Magsaysay Bridge where four victims were held up and divested of valuables just a few meters away from the Station 8 headquarters.
While the suspect had been identified, no concrete solution is at hand, they noted, adding that only a couple of days after this, a student from the Makati City College was also reportedly held up at the back of the same headquarters in front of a fastfood chain and in broad daylight.
Reports also had it that policemen under Supt. Tiu would round up not only those they find either drinking outside their residence but including the others who are only standing by.
June 4, 2008
People's Taliba
MPD MAG-IINSPEKSIYON SA MGA CONDOMINIUM
By: JR Reyes
IINSPEKSIYUNIN ng Manila Police District (MPD) ang mga condominim building upang matiyak na hindi ito ginagamit bilang shabu laboratory.
Ayon kay P/Supt. Nelson Yabut, hepe ng MPD-Station 11, ang inspeksi-yon ay kasunod ng pag-kakadiskubre sa isang mini-shabu laboratory sa isang inuupahang kuwarto sa condominium sa Binondo kamakalawa.
Nilinaw ni Yabut na bago ang inspeksiyon ay makikipagpulong muna sila sa building administrators ng mga condominium, partikular sa Binondo area upang matiyak na walang malalabag na karapatan sa operasyon.
Hihikayatin din ni Yabut ang mga naturang administrador na i-mo-nitor ang mga aktibidad ng kanilang mga tenant at makipag-ugnayan sa pulisya kapag may kahina-hinalang kilos ang mga ito.
Magugunitang kamakalawa ay tinatayang umaabot sa P100-milyon halaga ng shabu ang nakumpiska sa condo unit na ginawang mini-shabu laboratory.
People's Taliba
DRUG-FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SA MAYNILA MISYON NI LIM
By: Jerry S. Tan
ILULUNSAD ngayong araw na ito ni Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim ang isang programa na naglalayong gawing ‘drugs-free’ ang lahat ng pampublikong paaralan sa lungsod.
Ang paglulunsad ay gagawin ni Lim sa Ramon Magsaysay High School kung saan ay magpapakalat ang lungsod ng mga marshalls sa mga paaralan upang tiyakin na protektado ang mga mag-aaral laban sa iligal na droga.
Layunin din aniya ng programa na bigyan ng kaukulang proteksyon ang mga estudyante laban sa mga nagpapakalat ng bawal na gamot.
Kaugnay nito ay isang task force din ang nakatakdang tumulong sa pagpapatupad ng natu-rang programa at ito ay bubuuin naman ng mga school personnel, student leaders at mga opisyal mula sa iba’t-ibang parents-teachers’ association.
Sa ilalim ng plano, ang mga special anti-drug units o task force ay oorganisahin sa mga paaralan at sasanayin na tumulong sa pagmamanman at paghuli sa mga lumalabag sa Dangerous Drugs Act sa paligid at loob ng paaralan.
Ang mga nasabing drug-free marshalls ay pormal na ipakakalat sa mga paaralan simula ng Hunyo 10.
June 3, 2008
ABS-CBN News
COPS RAID BINONDO SHABU LAB OF CHINESE TRIAD MAN
By Maan Macapagal
Anti-narcotics agents on Monday discovered a mini-shabu laboratory in a condominium unit in Binondo, Manila. Police said the lab is being run by a suspected member of the Chinese Triad.
Armed with a court warrant, Manila Police District Station 11 (MPD) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives searched Unit 22-F of the Fortune Plaza building in Binondo, where the mini-laboratory was discovered.
The condominium unit was being rented by Samson Tan, a Chinese national who was arrested in a drug bust last Friday.
Superintendent Nelson Yabut, MPD Station 11 chief, suspects Tan is a "high-ranking" member of the Chinese Triad because his body is covered with dragon tattoos.
"He refused to tell us where he lives at first," Yabut said. He said Tan eventually disclosed his address where he had been living for the last five months.
Anti-narcotics agents discovered that Tan used basic household appliances, including a washing machine and two refrigerators, to produce shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).
The agents also discovered semi-processed shabu that has yet to go through the last stage of the drug creation process.
Several sachets of the finished illegal drug were also recovered.
June 2, 2008
GMANews.TV
MANILA GOV'T TO IMPLEMENT MAJOR REVAMP
During the meeting held at the Manila Yacht Club, Lim reportedly told the department heads to “toe the line for as long as I am mayor here.”
Errant city hall employees and officials who have been found to be negligent of their duties and responsibilities will be the target of the revamp that would take effect immediately, Lim said.
"We must make an agonizing reality check now to improve further the delivery of services to the community. Manila should spearhead the clamor for change," he said.
Lim added that city government employees who are involved in corrupt practices will also be affected, saying his office would never tolerate the misuse of public funds, irresponsibility on the part of city officials, and shortchanging the people of the services that are due to them.
"The motto of every city employee should be to serve. Forget your airs or penchant for glory and personal gains, even monetary rewards. We are all here to serve our people. That is what public service is all about," he said.
The mid-year assessment of the performance of department heads and the people under them is a continuing process, he added.
May 29, 2008
Philippine Star
ROOKIE COP TAKES ON 5 ROBBERS: 1 DEAD, 1 ARRESTED
By Nestor Etolle
A rookie policeman single-handedly fought off five armed jeepney robbers in Binondo,
Police Officer 2 Dionisio Dimazana is one of several policemen on foot patrol tasked by Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut to conduct surveillance and monitoring of the C.M. Recto street in Binondo due to reported rampant robberies.
While doing his rounds, Dimazana reportedly noticed a group of five men alight from a Divisoria-bound passenger jeepney at the corner of
Responding policemen rushed the wounded suspect to the
The arrested suspect was identified as Joel Catala, 25, also an alleged member of the Batang City Jail gang. A fan knife was recovered from him, according to police. Catala also mentioned the names of their companions during interrogation.
At the police station, four of the victims identified Catala as one of the five men who held them up. Seaman Edelito Villador, 32, also identified the recovered items as his personal belongings. The victims said the suspects used a gun and knives in robbing them.
Yabut commended Dimazana for his prompt response to the crime, which led to the neutralization of a notorious robbery gang operating in Binondo. A follow-up team of operatives is conducting a manhunt for the rest of the suspects.
May 28, 2008
Philippine Star
MPD: CCTV CAMERAS TO BE INSTALLED IN SOME SCHOOLS
By Nestor Etolle
Barely two weeks before the opening of classes next month, the Manila Police District has set up security plans and conducted anti-crime operations as part of its “Balik Paaralan” program.
MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said close-circuit television cameras shall be installed in selected schools in the Sampaloc area upon the initiative of 4th district Rep. Trisha Bonoan-David.
“We are planning to initially install CCTV cameras in selected schools in Sampaloc. I hope other local government officials follow the initiative of Rep. Bonoan so that more CCTVs can be installed in other Manila schools,” Rosales said. At the same time, Rosales has ordered his 11 police station commanders to beef up patrol and security preparations in all schools in their areas of responsibility to give parents and students a hassle-free enrolment on the first days of classes. He also instructed his officials to conduct meetings with school principals, security heads, barangay officials and anti-crime volunteer groups to assess the peace and order situation in their areas.
Rosales said he will also initiate dialogues with fraternity heads of different colleges and universities in Manila to be able to find ways and means to foster camaraderie among fraternity and sorority members. The elimination of violent fraternity wars is one of the six-point programs of Rosales when he assumed the top post at the MPD last Sept. 24.
In compliance with the directive, Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula recently conducted a security conference with different school principals, supervisors, security chiefs and barangay officials at the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) and presented a comprehensive action plan to deal with the peace and order problems encountered during opening of classes. Drug awareness among students was also tackled by the station’s anti-drug unit led by Inspector John Guiagui.
Sapitula said he will set up police assistance centers on strategic locations around school campuses for quick action on crime incidents. “All incidents involving students should be resolved right inside school campuses to ease the burden of reporting to police stations,” he said.
Sapitula also led his men in rounding up some 76 persons with suspicious characters along P. Casal, Castillejos, Fraternal and Arlegui in Quiapo, considered as among the crime-prone areas in the city. The operation resulted in the arrest of five persons with criminal records, according to Sapitula.
Moriones police station chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino also conducted saturation drive along Isla Puting Bato in Tondo which resulted in the rounding up of some 20 persons.
May 27, 2008
People's Tonight
MORE MANILA 'DISCIPLINE ZONES' TO BE SET UP -- LIM
SOON, all Manila streets will become models of order and discipline.
This moved closer to reality after Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday announced that the “Discipline Zone” in Tayuman, Tondo, a joint project of the Philippine National Police and the city government, will be extended to other areas as well.
At the City Hall department heads meeting yesterday morning, Lim said that Tayuman and Juan Luna Sts. have so far been cleared of all forms of obstruction, even as next in line would be the stretch of Claro M. Recto Avenue.
Manila Police District deputy district director for operations, Senior Supt. Cipriano Querol, explained that establishing an area as a “discipline zone” entails clearing it of abandoned engineering works, uncollected garbage, illegal vendors, obstructions, street dwellers and illegal terminals, among others.
“The work does not end there. We have to maintain how we left the area and assess the situation from time to time,” Querol said, stressing that criminals are included among the list of those which an area should be cleared of, under the project.
Querol said that Lim has orders for all MPD station commanders to enforce discipline zones in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
It was learned that a clearing operation is scheduled to take place today in the whole Divisoria area.
Only those who have the necessary permits for their stalls, which should not exceed a one-by-one square meter area, is exempt.
This, as Querol reported that parking is now prohibited along the stretch of C.M. Recto Ave. from Legarda to Asuncion.
GMANews.TV
MAYOR LIM ORDERS TRAFFIC CLEARED IN KEY ROADS
MANILEÑOS GAWING PRAYORIDAD SA MPD HIRING
Jerry S. Tan
HINILING kahapon ni Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim sa pamunuan ng Manila Police District (MPD) na gawing prayoridad ang mga ipinanganak o residente ng Maynila sa pagkuha ng mga miyembro ng pulisya.
Ang panawagan ay inihayag kahapon ni Lim sa idinaos na command conference sa City Hall, kung saan binigyang-diin niya kay MPD Director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, na malaki ang maitutulong kung ang maaatasang mangalaga sa kapakanan ng lungsod ay taga-Maynila din.
Ayon pa kay Lim, siguradong iba ang malasakit ng mga ito at tiyak din umanong magiging mas malalim ang pagkalap nito ng impormasyon at kahandaan na gawin ang lahat para sa ikabubuti ng mga kasamahang taga-lungsod.
Bukod diyan, malaking kaibahan din umano kung ang isang pulis ay pamilyar sa lugar na kanyang nasasakupan.
Samantala, binigyan ni Lim kahapon ng tig-P50,000 cash assistance ang pamilya nina PO2 Neri Francisco at PO3 Jose Ysmael Santos, na kapwa napatay pakikipagbarilan sa mga holdaper sa Paco, noong nakaraang linggo.
Hinikayat din niya ang lahat ng pulis-maynila na gawin ang lahat para madakip ng mga suspect sa pagpatay sa mga na-sabing pulis.
Aniya, isang malaking insulto sa pulisya kung hindi madakip ang mga suspects na pumaslang sa dalawang ng pulis-Maynila.
GMANews.TV
LIM VOWS JOBS FOR KIN OF 2 COPS SLAIN IN ROBBERY
MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Wednesday said that kin of two slain policemen killed trying to prevent a robbery on Monday would be given work by the city government.
This came days after two policemen who were killed while responding to a car hold-up where P1 million was taken by the robbers from the slain victim who just withdrew from a bank in Manila.
Those slain on Monday during a robbery at the Malate district were PO3 Jose Ysmael Santos and PO2 Francisco Neri.
A lawyer, Alfredo Dy, was also slain in that incident.
Lim said he would offer jobs at the City Hall for the dependents 18 years old and above, and if there are none, then the wives of the slain policemen would be given the jobs.
Lim said he would also give posthumous cash rewards to the families of these cops as his way of recognizing exemplary service of the policemen.
The two were said to be off duty but responded to a call about the robbery. They chased and fired at the criminals who were heavily armed.
The Mayor said he would meet with Manila Police Department Chief Gen. Roberto Rosales to intensify the manhunt for criminals behind the bank holdups in Manila as well as in Cabuyao and Calamba Laguna in recent weeks.
He said these criminals must be neutralized, if not eliminated, especially if they operate in the City of Manila.
Asked by reporters if he favors the restoration of the death penalty, the Mayor said he personally wants it restored for so long as measures are ensured to apply death penalty only to the real criminals and not a fall guy or on the wrong suspects.
This came days after two policemen who were killed while responding to a car hold-up where P1 million was taken by the robbers from the slain victim who just withdrew from a bank in Manila.
Those slain on Monday during a robbery at the Malate district were PO3 Jose Ysmael Santos and PO2 Francisco Neri.
A lawyer, Alfredo Dy, was also slain in that incident.
Lim said he would offer jobs at the City Hall for the dependents 18 years old and above, and if there are none, then the wives of the slain policemen would be given the jobs.
Lim said he would also give posthumous cash rewards to the families of these cops as his way of recognizing exemplary service of the policemen.
The two were said to be off duty but responded to a call about the robbery. They chased and fired at the criminals who were heavily armed.
The Mayor said he would meet with Manila Police Department Chief Gen. Roberto Rosales to intensify the manhunt for criminals behind the bank holdups in Manila as well as in Cabuyao and Calamba Laguna in recent weeks.
He said these criminals must be neutralized, if not eliminated, especially if they operate in the City of Manila.
Asked by reporters if he favors the restoration of the death penalty, the Mayor said he personally wants it restored for so long as measures are ensured to apply death penalty only to the real criminals and not a fall guy or on the wrong suspects.
2 MANILA POLICEMEN RELIEVED FOR ALLEGED HULIDAP
By NESTOR ETOLLE The Philippine Star
Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales has relieved two Manila policemen over allegations of hulidap or extortion activities which has been circulating in various e-mails.
Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza and PO2 Wilson Gavino were relieved from the Mobile Patrol Unit and temporarily re-assigned at the District Mobile Force Unit while criminal and administrative charges were being readied against them. The two shall also be sent to Subic, Zambales for moral transformation, according to Rosales.
The MPD chief virtually acknowledged the illegal activities of the two policemen after admitting that complaints of hulidap or extortion against personnel of the Mobile Patrol Unit has considerably gone down with the relief of the subject policemen.
Mobile Patrol Unit chief Superintendent Rolando Tumalad said that with the relief of the two recalcitrant policemen his unit is slowly regaining the trust and confidence of the people.
Rosales personally read in the Internet the complaints against the illegal activities of the two cops under the subject: "FW: Beware of a group of Manila cops."
The e-mail narrated an incident wherein a chef from a five-star hotel was apprehended by two Manila cops over alleged illegal drug activities. The cops searched his car and reportedly found drugs and paraphernalia. The cops told him to withdraw money from an automated teller machine in exchange for his release. When he resisted, he was brought to the MPD station where he was beaten up and forced to eat shabu so that he will be tested positive for drug use. He was ordered by the cops to produce P200,000 and no case will be filed against him.
The following day, the chef’s friend produced P20,000 and was immediately accepted by the cops. When he was released, the chef found out that seven of his friends were also victimized by the same policemen using the same modus operandi. The victims later found out that the subject policemen were Mendoza and Gavino.
Rosales said he will never condone the illegal activities of his men and called on the victims to come forward and file appropriate charges against the two cops, assuring complainants of their security.
MORENO SUSPENDS LOAs
By: Itchie G. Cabayan 05/20/2008
ACTING Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday suspended all letters of authority earlier issued to inspectors of books of accounts.
Moreno said the decision was a consensus between him and Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and came as an offshoot of the recent arrest of two licensed inspectors for extortion.
The said inspectors were preventively suspended by Moreno pending the outcome of the charges filed against them for allegedly mulcting P35,000 from the owner of a shipping corporation. It was learned from Moreno that Lim wants the said issuance of LOAs regulated so that they will not be used as tools for abuse and corruption by those tasked to enforce them.
“Mayor Lim was specific in his directives. He does not want Manila-based businessmen hassled in any way, at ito rin naman ang gusto ko,” Moreno said.
By virtue of the LOAs, inspectors from the city treasurer’s office are empowered to inspect the books of account of business establishments and assess their deficiencies.
With the suspension of the LOAs, Moreno said those who will persist may be reported to his office for appropriate action.
ABS-CBN News, May 20, 2008
MPD TAGS SUSPECTS IN BLOODY PACO HEIST
The Manila Police District (MPD) on Monday revealed the names of the alleged robbers who killed two policemen and a businessman during a heist in Paco, Manila last week.
MPD's Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr. said Juanito Boton and Edmund Mendoza, suspected members of the "Rodica Gang," were the killers of Police Officer 3 Francisco Neri, Police Officer 2 Jose Ismael Santos and lawyer-businessman Alfred Dy.Arevalo showed the pictures of the suspects taken out from the police rogues' gallery.
The official said the two were tagged by some people who saw the heist that happened in broad daylight.Dy was on board his beige Honda CR-V (ZJA 847) when two motorcycle-riding gunmen shot and killed him at the corner of Pedro Gil and Paz streets around 10 a.m. on May 12. The gunmen forcibly took Dy's P1 million cash, which was withdrawn from a nearby Banco de Oro branch.
Neri and Santos responded to the robbery, but were killed during the shootout that took place along Merced Street in Paco district. Reports said the two gunmen had two armed back-ups.Arevalo told reporters that Boton is a former Army corporal who became a partner of Pedro Rodica, the leader of the robbery group.He said the two had been arrested in 2006, but Boton was able to post bail while Rodica was rescued by his cohorts in December 2007.
He said Boton had since acted as the gang's leader.
Manila Standard, May 19,2008
FRAME-UP OR STING? ARREST OF LIM'S SON CONTESTED
The arrest of the 44 year old son of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in Sta. Cruz last March 14 by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was a setup and not a sting said a retired police official.
Invoking anonymity for security reasons, he told Standard Today over the weekend that “three former ranking city government officials, in connivance and conspiracy with two already retired and also ranking Manila police officers thought of and executed the plot to frame up, and arrest Lim’s son in a buy-bust operation.
Asked what for, the source described the demolition job as deliberate.
“Specifically, the mayor’s nonsense and though stance of his anti-criminality and zero-vice campaigns have rattled and caused criminal gangs and syndicates, especially the drug traders and their protectors, to scamper and close shop. On this score alone, Lim surely stepped on the shoes of many patrons of these illegal and unlawful activities, and in so doing effectively stop the flow of millions of drug money in the bank accounts of those criminal elements.
Arrested along with Manuel Lim were Ronald Pascual, a businessman, and Joel Sabado, a volunteer firefighter.
They were charged with drug pushing, a non-bailable offense. But Manuel’s lawyer, Reynaldo Bagatsing, was able to convince Judge Adelina Bargas of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 13, that the case only involved drug possession.
The court allowed Manuel to post a P 400,000 bail and ordered him released from the drug agency’s custody after two months in detention at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Meanwhile, co-accused Pascual last May 8 sued the arresting agents for perjury, unlawful arrest, and robbery with violence, intimidation of person and grave threats.
In a case before the Manila RTC are Intelligence Officer 3 Carlos Aldeon, IO2 Renato Infante and Intelligence Agent 1 Erwin Magcamit.
In his charge sheet, Pascual claimed that among others:
The agents were carrying a certificate of coordination, but the same was not properly coordinated with the Manila Police Station 3,5 and 11.
The subject suspects to be arrested were not Lim, Pascual and Sabado, but a certain Lito Hipolito, one alias Tatay Ed, and one alias Jessie Cha.
2 ALLEGED ROBBERS KILLED IN SHOOTOUT IN MANILA
MANILA, Philippines - Two suspected robbers were killed in an alleged shootout with policemen along the Del Pan Bridge in Manila’s Port Area on Friday morning.
One of the responding policemen was spared from death after his service firearm that was snatched by the suspects failed to work.
GMA’s Flash Report said that the shooting incident happened about 9 a.m. when the suspected robbers on board a tricycle tried to evade a police checkpoint in the area by going into a counter-flow at a U-turn slot near the bridge.
Authorities identified one of the victims as Jerry Fuentes, who died while being treated at the nearby Gat Andres Bonifaco Hospital.
His unidentified companion was declared dead on arrival at the same medical facility.
Initial reports said that one of the policemen from the checkpoint tried flagging down the tricycle but one of the suspects pointed a gun at them.
A firefight ensued after one of the suspects tried snatching the policeman’s service firearm. The cop was able to recover his firearm and other responding policemen managed to fire at the suspected robbers.
"When one of the suspects grabbed the gun from the policeman, he tried to shoot and squeezed the trigger. Blessing in disguise naman na iyong baril ng ating pulis ay naka-safety. Kung nagkataon ay nalagasan na naman tayo ng isang pulis (It was a blessing in disguise that the gun was in safety mode. We have just prevented another of our men from being killed)," one of the policemen said in a separate television report from QTV's noontime news program Balitanghali.
Recovered from the crime scene were empty shells of a 357-cal pistol, the television report said.
Fuentes’s wife, Jelly, rushed to the hospital to see his husband. She said Jerry left their home at 3 a.m. to drive their tricycle.
Last April 23, eight people were killed in a similar shooting incident with police near the same bridge. Later investigations showed that six of the slain men were members of robbery gang Waray-Waray while the two others were civilians caught in the crossfire.
MORENO ZEROES IN ON VIDEO KARERA
By: Itchie G. Cabayan 05/16/2008
ACTING Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday called on the police and barangay officials to work hand in hand to step up their campaign against all forms of illegal gambling in the city, especially video karera.
Moreno said the drive should continue “no matter who gets hurt.”
“There is no reason to disappoint Mayor Alfredo Lim and the residents who have bestowed in him their trust to put a stop to all forms of illegal gambling, especially those which entice the youngsters,” he said.
Moreno particularly lamented that even children get hooked on video karera, to the point that “they spend every penny they get from their parents on bets, in the hope of winning and doubling their money.”
He said concerned parents have expressed alarm that some video karera machines operate round the clock, so that those addicted to the gambling resort to taking illegal drugs to keep them awake all night.
Sadly, he added, kids resort to petty crimes so they can have money for betting.
Moreno urged affected residents, especially concerned parents, to report to his office, their barangay officials or the police, the presence of such illegal video karera machines in their vicinity. He assured informers that their identities would be held in confidence and their reports acted upon swiftly.
Mayor Lim, he said, had specific instructions to carry out the campaign regardless of who may get hurt in the process “how powerful or influential he or they may be.”
Barangay officials have the responsibility to ensure that such illegal gambling activities do not happen within their respective areas of jurisdiction, Moreno said.
‘NO HELMET, NO DRIVING' SA BINONDO
BY: JR Reyes 05/15/2008
INILUNSAD ng Manila Police District (MPD) ang mahigpit na pagpapatupad, partikular na sa Binondo area, ng “No Helmet, No Driving Policy! Maging Sino Ka Man!” kahapon ng umaga sa Meisic station, Binondo, Maynila.
Ang paglulunsad ay pinamunuan ni P/Supt. Nelson Yabut, hepe ng MPD-Station 11, kung saan binigyang-diin nito ang gagawing “panghuhuli” sa mga nakamotorsiklong walang helmet at mga sasakyang hindi nakarehistro, lalo na sa mga hanay ng pulisya.
Ayon kay Supt. Yabut, kakadenahan nito ang mga motorsiklo ng kanyang mga tauhan kung ito ay walang rehistro o kaya’y “paso” na.
“Policemen are the ones who must first obey the law, dapat sila ang maging ehemplo sa mga sibilyan.” ani Yabut.
Dinagdagan din ni Yabut ang mga checkpoint sa Binondo kung saan ay hihigpitan nila ang pagbeberika, lalo na sa mga riding in tandem, dahil sa karamihan sa mga nagaganap na krimen sa Maynila ay kinasasangkutan ng mga suspect na magkakaangkas sa motorsiklo.
2 SLAIN MPD COPS WILL GET JUSTICE -- RAZON
By: Alfred P. Dalizon, 05/15/2008
PHILIPPINE National Police chief Director General Avelino I. Razon Jr. yesterday assured that “justice will be served” on the two Manila police officers who were shot dead by heavily-armed robbers they confronted in Paco district.
“I have directed National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Geary Barias and Manila Police District director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales to step up manhunt operations for the armed suspects, one of whom was believed wounded in the gunfight with the two slain policemen,” Razon said.
On Tuesday, Razon ordered the posthumous promotion of PO3 Jose Ysmael Santos and PO2 Francisco Neri to the next rank.
According to PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Nicanor A. Bartolome, Razon ordered the promotion after both were killed in the line of duty.
“The two deserve to be promoted to the next rank higher for the gallantry they showed in the line of duty,” Bartolome said.
“Mamang Pulis takes care of the families of our slain policemen. And we will stop at nothing to get the killers of our brothers,” Razon said.
“Santos and Neri are the finest examples of the true-blue Mamang Pulis who will risk life and limb to serve and protect the people,” he noted. The two are assigned with the Manila Police District’s Paz Police Community Precinct.
Razon also instructed PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management head, Director Edgardo E. Acuna and PNP Director for Comptrollership Eiseo D. dela Paz to ensure the immediate release of all benefits due to the families of the slain policemen. The families of the slain cops will also get insurance and death benefits from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc.
Santos and Neri were killed in a gunbattle with heavily armed robbers who earlier shot and killed lawyer Alfred Dy at the corner of Pedro Gil and Merced Streets in Paco, Manila, Monday morning. All three victims were shot to death by six unidentified robbers who pulled off a P1-million heist in Paco.
Santos and Neri responded to a robbery where motorcycle-riding thieves shot Dy, who had just withdrew P1 million at the Banco de Oro located along Linao St., in Paco.
Dy was driving his car at the corner of Pedro Gil and Merced Streets in Paco 10 a.m. Monday when the suspects opened fire at him.
After hitting the lawyer, the gunmen smashed the windshield of the victim’s car and grabbed his bag containing the money he withdrew from the bank.
Santos and Neri were at the nearby Merced St. when they engaged the robbers but were killed in the shootout. Stray bullets fired by the suspects also wounded Janine Pauline Delaos, 15; Arturo Ferrer, 67; and Rizza Aquino, 25.
ROB SUSPECT NABBED INSIDE MANILA CITY HALL
By: Itchie G. Cabayan, 05/15/2008
A 22-year-old robbery suspect who earlier escaped custody from his arresting officers was nabbed anew inside the Manila City Hall yesterday.
City hall policemen under Senior Supt. Alex Gutierrez were also quick to close the gates of the area to ensure that the suspect, identified as Edwardson Baltazar of 476 Panday Pira St., Tondo, would not be able to get the slip.
An investigation made by Senior Insp. Mar Reyes of the District Special Project Unit investigation and follow-up branch said that Baltazar has a pending arrest warrant issued by Judge Zenaida Daguna for the crime of robbery he committed in 2004.
On May 12, he was arrested on Soler St. in Sta. Cruz, Manila, but managed to escape from the District Anti-Organized Task Force.
Yesterday, he was seen inside the Manila City Hall while on his way to the sala of Judge Daguna, and was about to escape once again when police operatives pounced on him.
MANILA POLICE URGE LGUs TO PASS ORDINANCES ON CCTV
05/14/2008 | 04:21 AM
Manila, Philippines - Following a bloody holdup that killed two off-duty policemen and a lawyer in Manila, Metro Manila Police appealed to local government units (LGUs) to install closed-circuit television systems in business establishments.
Radio dzBB reported that Metro Manila Police chief Dir. Geary Barias made the appeal Tuesday, saying that CCTV can be a tool for identifying suspects, or it can even be deterrent to crimes.
Barias encouraged local governments to pass ordinances requiring business establishments to at least install CCTV systems.
He noted many local governments in Metro Manila had already done so, especially those with bustling financial districts.
2 CITY TREASURY EXECS NABBED FOR EXTORTION
May 13, 2008, – Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta
Two inspectors of the Manila City Treasurer’s Office were nabbed by the police in an entrapment operation Friday for extorting P35,000 from a businessman in exchange for lowering his alleged unpaid taxes, a belated report of the District Special Police Unit (DSPU) showed.
DSPU chief Senior Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez tasked chief of investigation and follow-up branch Senior Inspector Marcelo Reyes to act on a complaint by Mario Pronstroller, 60, president of Golden Eagle Shipping Corp., against three inspectors of the Manila Treasurer’s Office who allegedly demanded cash in exchange for lowering his taxes.
According to Pronstroller, Rochelle Gutierrez and Alfredo Silva of the Manila Treasurer Office came to his office last May 6 and demanded that he pay five years’ worth of taxes worth P380,655.21. The two later offered to settle the account for only P80,000, but Pronstroller bargained them down to P35,000.
On May 9, company accountant Susan Austria gave the two suspects P35,000 marked money.
Assistant city prosecutor Josefina Concepcion recommended the filing of graft and direct bribery charges against the two suspects, including one alias “Jasmine,” also of the Manila Treasurer’s Office, who allegedly connived with the two suspects.
Reyes said the illegal activities of the three City Hall employees partly account for the low tax collection in Manila.
GMANews.TV
3 DEAD, 2 HURT IN SHOOTING INCIDENT IN MANILA (Update)
05/12/2008 | 11:08 AM - Mark Merueñas
MANILA, Philippines - Three men, including two policemen, were killed while two others were hurt in a shooting incident in Manila’s Paco district on Monday morning, officials from the Manila Police District said.
Radio reports quoted police authorities as saying that a motorcycle-riding group of three armed men robbed and shot dead lawyer Alfredo Dy who was driving a Honda CRV (plate number ZJA-847) along Pedro Gil Avenue in Manila about 10 a.m.
Dy had reportedly withdrawn P1 million from the Angel Linaw Bank branch of Banco de Oro in Paco, Manila. The suspected robbers took the victim’s clutch bag placed at the back of his vehicle.
"Tatlo silang nakamotor at naka-short pants na fatigue at nakaputing damit. Kinuha nila iyong clutch bag nung lalaki sa sasakyan (There were three assailants. They were wearing fatigue short pants and white shirts. They carted away the victim’s clutch bag)," said a witness interviewed on radio.
Police Officer (PO) 3 Francisco Neri and 40-year-old PO3 Jose Ysmael Santos, who happened to be in the area, learned about the incident and gave chase.
The policemen then engaged the suspects in a firefight. Neri died on the spot while Santos was still rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila after sustaining gunshot wounds but was declared dead on arrival.
Hospital officials told GMANews.TV that Santos arrived at the medical facility at 10:55 a.m. He died after sustaining eight gunshot wounds to his head and body.
A separate radio report also quoted the police as saying that two other residents, including a girl, were hit by stray bullets and were likewise brought to the hospital.
Minutes after the shooting incident, MPD operatives recovered a blood-stained motorcycle abandoned along Anakbayan Street in Singalong, Manila.
The suspected robbers, who were seen carrying long arms, were believed to have left the motorcycles before transferring to a Toyota Corolla getaway vehicle. The police have already set up a checkpoint to inspect all vehicles passing by the nearby Lambingan Bridge.
The police were quoted as saying they still have not traced the robbery-shooting incident to any crime group even as investigations continue.
Radio reports quoted police authorities as saying that a motorcycle-riding group of three armed men robbed and shot dead lawyer Alfredo Dy who was driving a Honda CRV (plate number ZJA-847) along Pedro Gil Avenue in Manila about 10 a.m.
Dy had reportedly withdrawn P1 million from the Angel Linaw Bank branch of Banco de Oro in Paco, Manila. The suspected robbers took the victim’s clutch bag placed at the back of his vehicle.
"Tatlo silang nakamotor at naka-short pants na fatigue at nakaputing damit. Kinuha nila iyong clutch bag nung lalaki sa sasakyan (There were three assailants. They were wearing fatigue short pants and white shirts. They carted away the victim’s clutch bag)," said a witness interviewed on radio.
Police Officer (PO) 3 Francisco Neri and 40-year-old PO3 Jose Ysmael Santos, who happened to be in the area, learned about the incident and gave chase.
The policemen then engaged the suspects in a firefight. Neri died on the spot while Santos was still rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila after sustaining gunshot wounds but was declared dead on arrival.
Hospital officials told GMANews.TV that Santos arrived at the medical facility at 10:55 a.m. He died after sustaining eight gunshot wounds to his head and body.
A separate radio report also quoted the police as saying that two other residents, including a girl, were hit by stray bullets and were likewise brought to the hospital.
Minutes after the shooting incident, MPD operatives recovered a blood-stained motorcycle abandoned along Anakbayan Street in Singalong, Manila.
The suspected robbers, who were seen carrying long arms, were believed to have left the motorcycles before transferring to a Toyota Corolla getaway vehicle. The police have already set up a checkpoint to inspect all vehicles passing by the nearby Lambingan Bridge.
The police were quoted as saying they still have not traced the robbery-shooting incident to any crime group even as investigations continue.
People's Tonight
MANILA INKS SISTER-CITY PACT WITH INCHEON
By: Itchie G. Cabayan 05/09/2008
MANILA and INCHEON are now sister cities.
This, after acting Mayor Isko Moreno signed a sister-city understanding with the Korean Republic city of Incheon, thus opening the avenue for cultural, economic, recreational and information exchange between the two cities.
The agreement was entered into by Moreno and Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-Soo based on Council Resolution 95 filed by Councilor Bobby Lim which seeks to strengthen ties of mutual understanding as well as international friendship between the two cities.
Moreno said that prior to the signing, the mayor of Incheon wrote Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to express sincere appreciation for the kind cooperation and goodwill extended by Manila to Incheon in the past.
The acting mayor said the accord also aims to promote experience and information exchanges in the sphere of political, cultural and economic interests.
“The reciprocities in these fields will undoubtedly be beneficial to both signatories and shall have a lasting impact on their social and economic well-being and that of their people, leading to the path of international amity and goodwill,” Moreno added.
PAY TAXES EARLY -- MORENO
By: Itchie G. Cabayan 05/08/2008
OWNERS and administrators of real properties and business establishments in Manila were urged yesterday by acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno to already settle their obligations to the city government to avail of the discounts being offered for early taxpayers.
Moreno thus urged the taxpayers not only to avoid the rush and avoid being penalized should they fail to meet the deadline.
The deadline for the payment of real property taxes for the second quarter of the current year is on June 31.
Under the existing setup, Moreno said those who will pay ahead of time may avail of a 15 percent discount for the first month of the quarter and ten percent for the second and third months of the quarter.
The scheduled payment for the second quarterly installment for real property taxes is on or before June 30 while the schedules for the third and fourth quarterly installments are on or before September 30 and December 31, respectively.
According to Moreno, Mayor Alfredo Lim explicitly told him before leaving for the United States to work on the tax collection of the city to make up for the huge budget deficit left by the previous administration.
In line with this, Moreno asked city treasurer Linda Marteja to do everything within her means for the convenience of the taxpayers.
“Hindi dapat maramdaman ng mga taxpayer na mahirap magbayad ng buwis kaya’t asikasuhin natin silang mabuti dahil ’yan ang gusto ng ating alkalde,” Moreno said.
MORENO ORDERS PROBE OF PILFERAGE SUSPECTS
By: Itchie G. Cabayan 05/07/2008
ACTING Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday ordered a thorough investigation to find out if the electricity pilferage gang leaders arrested by Station 11 operatives of the Manila Police District are also members of the notorious Waray-Waray Gang.
Moreno added he wanted to know if the suspects were also behind the wire thefts in lamp posts along the Baywalk area.
In a directive to Manila City Hall Police Office chief, Senior Supt. Alex Gutierrez, Moreno said it is important to establish the identities of those who have been causing headache to the city government. He also wanted the relief of a police community precinct commander who had jurisdiction over the Baywalk area because of rampant stealing of copper wire on the lamp post on Roxas Boulevard.
Moreno lauded Supt. Nelson Yabut, Station 11 Commander, for the arrest of Edgar Rioferio, 34 and Arsenio Cuizon, 35, both residents of Parola Compound in Binondo, Manila.
In his report to Moreno, Yabut said that the duo was arrested after they were caught red-handed connecting an electric copper wire to a Meralco post by using a makeshift scaffolding and an aluminum ladder.
During a subsequent investigation, Yabut reported, Rioferio was found to have been previously arrested for murder last December but was also released in the same month. It was also discovered that Rioferio had been tagged as an active member of the Waray-Waray Gang, whose members recently figured in a shootout with members of the MPD who were commended and awarded by Moreno himself.
Moreno lauded Yabut for the arrest of Rioferio and Cuizon and for his continued crackdown against all forms of criminality in his area of jurisdiction.
The acting mayor has directed the MPD to continue the campaign against lawless elements in line with Mayor Alfredo S. Lim’s policy of keeping the streets of Manila crime-free.
POLICE CAPTURED STA. MESA's "ROBIN HOOD"
By Tina Santos 05/07/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The long arm of the law finally caught up with a suspected robber considered the "Robin Hood" of Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Superintendent Jimmy Tiu, Sta. Mesa police station commander, Herbert Alfonso, alias Ebek, 31, of Quintina Street, Sta. Mesa, was well loved by the people there because he gave them part of his loot; he was a local Robin Hood."
"Nobody wanted to reveal his whereabouts," Tiu added.
But Alfonso was finally arrested Tuesday on Pureza Street, also in Sta. Mesa, by lawmen who had long been on his tail.Police said the suspect was responsible for several robberies in the area, particularly along Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, victimizing mostly students.
To date, police have already received some 20 complaints, Tiu said, adding that the arrest was prompted by text messages from concerned citizens.
GOVT WORKERS TO GET PAY HIKE IN JULY
Friday, May 02, 2008, By Angelo S. Samonte
President Gloria Arroyo signed Thursday an executive order granting a 10-percent salary increase for the government’s 1.4 million workers effective July.
President Arroyo made the announcement after attending a wage board meeting in San Fernando, Pampanga. She had attended a similar wage board meeting in Quezon City. The President also ordered Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. to thresh out the details of the increase to make the money available by July. The long-planned 10-percent increase in the basic pay is part of the multiyear schedule for the staggered increase in public-sector wages, a policy forged in 2006.
Mrs. Arroyo made surprise visits to the two wage boards meeting on the proposed wage increases in Pampanga and Quezon City Thursday morning just to see “how things are going.” The President observed the deliberations of the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards of the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) and Region III (Central Luzon).
“I just want to see for myself how things are going,” Mrs. Arroyo was quoted by Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye as having told reporters when asked about her visiting rounds.
The President—who said she had hoped for wage adjustments for labor on or before Labor Day—earlier ordered the regional wage boards nationwide to hasten the wage-adjustment process, “even if they have to work overtime on Labor Day, which is a non-working day for the rest of the country.”
A 10-percent increase in the basic pay of 898,849 national government employees will cost P9.216 billion for six months, and P2.844 billion for an estimated 277,905 soldiers, policemen, firemen, jail guards and Coast Guard personnel for the same period. The pay increase lately ordered by Mrs. Arroyo is the third in 30 months in the public sector. Government employees welcomed Mrs. Arroyo’s move, but said the increase of roughly P1,000 for an average teacher “is almost nothing considering the high cost of commodities which weakened our buying power and decreased the real value of our salary.”
The state workers can consider themselves luckier than those working in the private sector. On the eve of Labor Day, the National Wages and Productivity Commission said the private-sector employees will not get a wage increase. The commission cited the need for more time by the Regional Wage Boards to study any petitions for a wage hike. It said”by late May or early June,” the boards would be able to come up with a decision on the petitions.
The wage boards have at least 30 days after the end of public hearings to issue a wage order.
Instead of a wage increase, the Labor department prepared a package of benefits for private workers, including tax exemptions.
MORENO NAGLUNSAD NG GOLF TOURNAMENT
May 02, 2008, Jerry S. Tan
UPANG madagdagan ang pondo para sa mga programang nakatuon-pansin sa mahihirap, inilunsad kahapon ni Manila Acting Mayor Isko Moreno ang isang golf tournament, na sinalihan ng mga dati at kasalukuyang opisyal ng lungsod.
Ang nasabing palaro ay personal na sinalihan ni Moreno mismo kasama sina Councilors Eric Valbuena (5th district), former Councilor Felix Espiritu, Council majority floorleader Letlet Zarcal, Councilor Roland Sy (1st district), Former Manila Police District Chief Retired General Pedro Bulaong; Tony Sy at ilang players mula Nueva Ecija at Japan.
Ang buong kinita ng palaro na ginanap sa Club Intramuros, ay mapupunta sa Asenso Manileño Foundation, Inc., na siyang nagpopondo sa kanyang mga pet projects sa ilalim ng Asenso Manilenyo Food Subsidy, Isko Moreno Learning Center or ISCOM program at Botika ni Isko.
Libong residente na ng lungsod ang nakinabang sa mga nasabing programa gayundin sa serye ng seminar programs at computer o internet literacy trainings ng ISCOM program at sa libreng medisina na dulot ng Botika ni Isko, na matatagpuan mismo sa loob ng tanggapan ni Moreno sa Manila City Hall.
Idinagdag pa nito na kailangang makapag-isip ng paraan para makalikha ng pondo para sa mga proyekto ng mahihirap.
Dahil dito tiniyak ni Moreno na ang mga programang kagaya ng ISCOM, Botika ni Isko, Food Subsidy at maging ang Iskolar ng Bayan at iba ay patuloy pa nating palalawakin at pag-iibayuhin para mas marami pa ang mabiyayaan.
ISKO SACKS NEGLIGENT COP
By: Itchie G. Cabayan, 04/29/2008
A POLICE official was ordered relieved yesterday by acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for negligence in his assigned area of responsibility, as he awarded and commended the members of the Manila Police District (MPD) who recently figured in a shooting encounter with members of the notorious Waray-Waray Gang, for a job well done.
The shootout occurred at Delpan Bridge in Tondo and left six members of the said gang dead.
Senior Inspector Arnold Ibay, Manila Bay PCP commander, was earlier recommended for relief by secretary to the mayor Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas for failing to stop the rampant robbery of copper wires from the Baywalk lamp posts.
At the first department heads meeting he presided since assuming as acting mayor, Moreno directed the problem to MPD director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, and ordered that Ibay be immediately relieved from his post.
“Nagalit na si Mayor Lim dati dahil umabot na sa malaking halaga ang nawalang wires. Hihintayin pa ba nating magalit siya ulit?” Moreno said.
Each of the eight policemen who were involved in the said encounter were given P5,000 each as an incentive. They are Senior Insp. Arnulfo Ibanez, Insp. Roberto Macabeo, SPO1s Hector Gubatina, Edwin Harris and Eduardo Langcay, PO2 Roberto Benitez and PO1s Beverly Flores and Rodolfo Mayo Jr.
ISKO OFFERS REWARD FOR GUNMAN'S ARREST
By: Itchie G. Cabayan, 04/28/2008
ACTING Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday directed Manila Police District Director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales to arrest those behind the shooting of a City Hall official recently.
Moreno urged those who may have information on the identity and whereabouts of the gunman to come forward, saying that the tipster will be amply rewarded and his identity kept in strict confidence.
He called on city employes or officials who may know something about the murder attempt to help the police solve the case and put the suspect behind bars.
Moreno said Josefino Reoma, 60, head of the Manila City Hall’s personnel department, is a very quiet and unassuming person so that “it is quite unthinkable that he had enemies who would want him dead.”
The acting mayor stressed the importance of establishing the motive behind the ambush, saying that if it is work-related, City Hall should be cleansed of individuals with criminal minds.
Reoma remains confined in the intensive care unit of the UST Hospital, He sustained a gunshot wound in the right side of his face.
Two policemen have been detailed by secretary to the mayor Rafaelito Garayblas and Manila City Hall Police Office chief Col. Alex Gutierrez to guard Reoma in the hospital.
Reoma was inside a cab when, upon reaching a stoplight at the corner of Espana Boulevard and Cayco Street, a motorcycle-riding man positioned himself beside his cab and then shot him through the glass window before fleeing.
6 SLAIN 'WARAY-WARAY' GANG MEMBERS IDENTIFIED
04/27/2008 | 08:10 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) on Sunday identified the six alleged members of the "Waray-Waray" gang who were killed in a shootout with lawmen on Delpan Bridge in Tondo, Manila last April 23.
Two civilians were also killed in the gunbattle.
Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo, chief of the MPD homicide section, identified the six as Mario Fabillar, 28, a resident of Building 28, Unit 21, Permanent Housing, Balut, Tondo, Manila; Rudy Singre, 33, laborer, of 59 Davila St., Navotas West, Navotas City; Jonar Montilla, 27, scavenger, of Building 21 Unit 223, Permanent Housing, Balut, Tondo; Rodolfo Jamer, 37, laborer, of Building 5 Unit 515, Permanent Housing, Balut, Tondo; Abriel Luciano, 28, of Building 24, Unit 402 Paradise Height, Tondo; and Romeo Luciano, 44, of 8 Taganahan St., Bagong Bayan, Navotas City.
Police said Fabillar was found in possession of Magnum 357, Singre yielded a .9mm pistol, Montilla had a .38 caliber revolver, Jamer .45 caliber pistol, Luciano had a grenade and Luciano had an M21 Thompson.
Police said the shootout on Wednesday, one of the bloodiest in Manila in recent years, erupted after the gunmen fired at officers who tried to stop their van at a police checkpoint near the bridge.
Manila police chief Roberto Rosales first reported that four suspected robbery gang members were killed on the spot and three others died in the hospital.
However, Metropolitan Manila police chief Geary Barias said Thursday that he was informed that two civilians were among those killed and ordered an investigation.
The two men - Rosales said Rolando Natividad of Asia Brewery and Victor Constantino - were inside their car when the gunmen allegedly tried to commandeer it in the middle of the shootout with police. They got out when they were hit by bullets, police said.
Another police officer, Superintendent Mario Espino, said the suspects, some of them suspected in other robberies, were allegedly on the way to strike again when they were intercepted.
The MPD had apologized to the families of the two slain civilians.
ISKO ORDERS MPD BRASS TO SHAPE UP
By: Itchie G. Cabayan
“SHAPE UP or SHIP OUT”
Acting Manila Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday issued this warning to all station commanders of the Manila Police District, stressing that those who will fall short of what is expected of them by the public will have to be relieved from their posts.
In a command conference held at the MPD headquarters, Moreno stressed that in line with Mayor Alfredo Lim’s priority program of keeping the city crime-free, station chiefs should maintain peace and order in their assigned areas of jurisdiction.
Lim is out of the country on official business, leaving the city’s reins in the hands of his youthful vice mayor.
Moreno was optimistic that MPD director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales shares his belief that any police officer found to be remiss in his duties must be held accountable.
The conference was attended by station and division chiefs, among them deputy director for operations Col. Cipriano Querol, City Hall Police Office head Chief Supt. Alex Gutierrez, Station 3 chief Col. Romulo Sapitula, Station 10 chief Col. Abad Osit and Special Weapons and Tactics team chief Supt. Col. Ramon Pranada. Rosales was not around, allegedly because he was in a meeting with National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Geary Barias.
According to Moreno, he received specific instructions from the mayor to sustain his campaign to protect the citizens of Manila against all forms of crimes at all times.
In line with this, Moreno said he is willing to exercise all the rights vested in him to ensure that the no-nonsense campaign against crimes started by Lim is strictly enforced.
Particularly, he told the station chiefs to be on the lookout for major crimes such as kidnapping, bank robberies, murder and acts of terrorism, among others, as well as petty street crimes which victimize hapless individuals.
He also ordered increased police visibility in crime-prone areas, stressing that the sight of uniformed policemen is an effective deterrent against crimes.
In doing so, Moreno said that any major crime breaking out in Manila, being the capital city, will surely give the whole country a black eye.
“Those who will prove to be inefficient in keeping order within their respective areas of jurisdiction have no business staying in their posts,” Moreno declared.
PAO VISITS MANILA CITY JAIL
By: Efren Montano
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has been invited to grace the 31st jail decongestion program of the Public Attorney’s Office today at the Manila City Jail on Quezon Blvd., Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Starting at 8 a.m., Chief Public Attorney Persida V. Rueda-Acosta will lead 69 Manila District and Central Office lawyers and staff in PAO’s 13th leg for this year’s free legal, medical, dental and optical jail visitation and decongestion program.
As of press time, a total of 15,166 inmates have been benefited by the legal, medical, dental and optical program.
It is aimed to help unclog court dockets, decongest overcrowded detention facilities and release inmates who have served the possible maximum sentence in line with the social justice program of the Arroyo administration.
Since the decongestion program was initiated by Acosta on April 12, 2007, about 3,200 inmates have been released from various detention facilities in the National Capital Region.
Doctors from the National Bureau of Investigation, Dr. Anastacio Rosete, Jr. of the Quezon City government and Atty. Erwin P. Erfe, M.D., the PAO forensic consultant together with public attorneys will participate in the program.
MPD APOLOGIZES TO FAMILIES OF CIVILIAN VICTIMS IN MANILA SHOOTOUT
04/24/2008 | 09:12 AM
MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) apologized Thursday to the families of two civilians killed during a shootout between police and suspected robbers in Manila Wednesday.
In a radio interview, MPD head Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales said it was unfortunate that civilians were caught in the middle of a crossfire between policemen and suspected suspected members of the Waray-Waray gang, and was quick to blame the robbers the as the ones who shot the civilian victims.
Rosales said he will personally talk to the families of Rolando Natividad, operations manager of Asia Brewery, and co-worker Victor Constantino who were both killed in the shootout. Another civilian was reportedly wounded in the shooting incident.
"Just in case they were caught in the crossfire, it was not really meant for them. Ang suspect na gumawa nito (The suspected robbers shot them). We are very sorry for the loss of these valuable two lives," Rosales said in an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas, even as results of an autopsy on the civilian victims' bodies have yet to be released.
Rosales said he has ordered an autopsy of the two civilians to determine who fired the fatal shots. He said he expects results within the day.
Rosales also said he and MPD Station 2 commander Supt. Mario Espino are coordinating their investigation with Salvador Mison of Asia Brewery Inc. Mison is a retired general and law enforcer, and a former head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
"Kahapon pa man pupuntahan namin ang wake ng family, makikipagusap kami rito (We already planned to visit the wake of the civilian victims' families so we can talk to them)," Rosales said.
In a radio interview, MPD head Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales said it was unfortunate that civilians were caught in the middle of a crossfire between policemen and suspected suspected members of the Waray-Waray gang, and was quick to blame the robbers the as the ones who shot the civilian victims.
Rosales said he will personally talk to the families of Rolando Natividad, operations manager of Asia Brewery, and co-worker Victor Constantino who were both killed in the shootout. Another civilian was reportedly wounded in the shooting incident.
"Just in case they were caught in the crossfire, it was not really meant for them. Ang suspect na gumawa nito (The suspected robbers shot them). We are very sorry for the loss of these valuable two lives," Rosales said in an interview on Church-run Radio Veritas, even as results of an autopsy on the civilian victims' bodies have yet to be released.
Rosales said he has ordered an autopsy of the two civilians to determine who fired the fatal shots. He said he expects results within the day.
Rosales also said he and MPD Station 2 commander Supt. Mario Espino are coordinating their investigation with Salvador Mison of Asia Brewery Inc. Mison is a retired general and law enforcer, and a former head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
"Kahapon pa man pupuntahan namin ang wake ng family, makikipagusap kami rito (We already planned to visit the wake of the civilian victims' families so we can talk to them)," Rosales said.
CITY WATCH VOWS 7-MINUTE POLICE RESPONSE IN MANILA
04/15/2008 | 10:21 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) launched on Tuesday City Watch, a police operations center that vows to dispatch patrol cars that could be at a crime scene in seven minutes – or even less.
Or else you can complain to Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, MPD chief. And that's a condition painted on the rear side end of the MPD's 97 new patrol cars: "If this mobile car failed to respond within seven (7) minutes report to the district director at cellphone 0918-4072702."
The new program, which was featured in a report by Ivan Mayrina for 24 Oras, GMA Network's early evening newscast, got its funding from Don Emilio Yap, industrialist who owns the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp, with some support from the Filipino-Chinese community.
The MPD, however, did not reveal how much the project cost to set up. Sending patrol cars quickly would depend on City Watch dispatchers knowing which one are nearest to the crime scene. To do that, each patrol car would have a GPS, or global positioning system, tracking unit installed in it.
A quick glance at a big screen at the operations center would tell dispatchers where the cars are at any given time. The center would also have a computerized data base of known criminals, and a map showing which crimes are commonly committed in which area of the capital city.
Surveillance cameras and alert buttons would also be installed in places usually targeted by robbers, like gas stations, pawnshops, moneychangers, and banks. The cameras and buttons would be hooked up to the center, whose personnel would then be able to monitors the establishments.
"This is good warning to criminals to think twice," Teresita Ang See, founding chairman of the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and Order.
Director General Avelino Razon, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), attended the formal launching of the project on Tuesday.
LIM MAY ASK POLICE TO HELP SELL NFA RICE
04/15/2008 | 07:55 PM
Police community centers in Manila may soon start distributing low-cost rice from the National Food Authority (NFA), if Mayor Alfredo Lim pushes through with the plan to make rice-selling more systematic.
"The police community precincts can help distribute rice," Lim said in Filipoino in an interview aired on Tuesday over dWIZ radio. "But for now we have seven rolling stores right there in the squatters areas in depressed centers, aside from the distribution centers."
Last weekend, the National Food Authority, the Department of Agriculture, and the city government started operating added outlets to give poor families more access to low-cost rice.
As of Tuesday, Lim said the outlets sell NFA rice imported from Vietnam at P18.25 per kilo, and rice from the United States at P25 per kilo. But many families continue to complain of shortage of supply, he said.
"We need to make the selling more systematic," Lim said. He narrated that in one case at the Tondo Sports Complex, city authorities caught a woman lining up at least thrice to buy NFA rice. When accosted, she said she feared the rice supplies may run out, and she had a big family to feed. "She said she was worried about the shortage of rice and she could not let her family go hungry," Lim said.
He said he has coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to identify the poor families in the city who will be entitled to buy the lower-priced rice.
MANILA POLICE TAGS 2 IN DALAIG KILLING - REPORT
04/14/2008 | 11:44 AM
MANILA, Philippines -Manila police have tagged at least two people in the murder of former Commission on Elections legal department head Alioden Dalaig in Manila last year. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that the Manila Police District (MPD) was to make the announcement at a press conference at its headquarters at 1 p.m. Metro Manila police chief Director Geary Barias was to attend the press conference, the radio report said.
On April 5, the MPD released the artist sketch of a male suspect in the Dalaig killing in November. Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo, MPD-homicide section head, identified the suspect as a certain "Jerry," described as between 32 and 35-years-old, standing 5’7" or 5’8" tall, has fair complexion and of medium built.
Early this month, the MPD released the video footage of a man who is believed to be the key to the investigation not only of the killing of Dalaig but also of Elections Law Department officer in charge Wynne Asdala last March 24 in Intramuros.
Arevalo said the video footage showed that the still unidentified man was seen observing Dalaig inside a casino hours before the poll official was gunned down outside the establishment on Pedro Gil corner M.H. del Pilar streets, Malate, Manila on Nov. 10, 2007 at 6:45 p.m..
The MPD released the video footage to television networks so that the public can help the police in identifying the man. The man played slot machine but kept on staring and stalking Dalaig.
Asdala, acting director of the Comelec law department, was shot by one of two motorcycle-riding gunmen as he was crossing a busy street on his way back to the Comelec office in Intramuros , Manila last March 24.
LIM BANS PROVINCIAL BUSES DUE TO UNRULY DRIVERS
EVELYN MACAIRAN 04/11/2008
Mounting complaints about traffic jams reportedly caused by undisciplined bus drivers prompted Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to recently ban the entry of provincial buses in the city.
Lim said the provincial buses from Southern Tagalog were no longer allowed to pick up and unload passengers since the first week of this month. He is reviving an old policy that he implemented during his first term as the city’s local chief executive. "They would only be allowed until Vito Cruz (now Pablo Ocampo Sr.) street as to not cause inconvenience to the passengers. There have been complaints that these buses pick up and allow passengers to disembark at any point of their trip," Lim said.
He suggested that bus operators organize a shuttle service, either a passenger jeepney or a Tamaraw FX, to ferry passengers from Vito Cruz to Lawton. They could also consider renting out a space at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) such as the bicycle rental area and use it as their terminal. If the bus firms would not reduce their fares, then they should offer the shuttle services for free, he added. Lim said he met with the bus companies last January and March. "At that time, I told them they had three months (or until April) to organize the shuttle. We really timed it with the school break so most of the students would have no classes," he said.
The companies told him that it was the colorum or unregistered buses that were responsible for the traffic jams.
Lim said those found violating the ban may have their vehicles impounded or their license confiscated.
GMANews.TV
GRENADE THREAT PROMPTS V150 DEPLOYMENT IN MANILA
04/08/2008 | 08:33 AM
MANILA, Philippines - A grenade threat following a predawn raid that netted a kilo of
methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) prompted police to deploy a V-150 personnel carrier and a team of elite policemen to beef up security at a Manila police precinct Monday night.
But Senor Inspector Alexander de Jesus, head of the Manila Police District (MPD) Palanca police community precinct, said Tuesday the V-150 had to be recalled because it scared local residents.
"Kagabi akala nila may panibagong raid na gagawin ang kapulisan natin sa Metro Manila, nagtataka bakit may V-150 dito. Ito dagdag na security sa phone call kahapon na di na pamamaril ang gagawin sa PCP kundi hahagisan ng granada (Last night many residents thought we were preparing for another raid. They were asking why the V-150 was there. It was just added security because of a phoned-in grenade threat)," De Jesus said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He said the MPD asked the elite Philippine National Police Special Action Force to deploy a V-150 armored personnel carrier to secure the precinct.
In a separate radio interview, De Jesus said the call came at 9 a.m. Monday, hours after MPD operatives arrested at least eight people and seized a kilo of suspected shabu in a predawn raid.
"Palagay ko maaring may kaugnayan kasi gawa ng sunod-sunod yung panghuhuli namin sa kanila. At the same time nakakatanggap kami ng di tamang paghihiganti nila (I believe the threat was related to the drug bust and to recent drug-related arrests we made. We have been at the receiving end of their so-called retaliation)," he said on dwiZ radio.
Only last month, unidentified men strafed the precinct following a series of drug-related arrests. De Jesus said the attack prompted the precinct to beef up its security measures.
But on Monday morning, he said the caller told them that the next attack will no longer involve bullets but a grenade.
"Sabi sa amin di na bala ang papuputukin diyan, granada na. Inaalam natin sino tumawag (The caller told us it won't be bullets that will come our way anymore. The next time, it will be a grenade)," he said.
methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) prompted police to deploy a V-150 personnel carrier and a team of elite policemen to beef up security at a Manila police precinct Monday night.
But Senor Inspector Alexander de Jesus, head of the Manila Police District (MPD) Palanca police community precinct, said Tuesday the V-150 had to be recalled because it scared local residents.
"Kagabi akala nila may panibagong raid na gagawin ang kapulisan natin sa Metro Manila, nagtataka bakit may V-150 dito. Ito dagdag na security sa phone call kahapon na di na pamamaril ang gagawin sa PCP kundi hahagisan ng granada (Last night many residents thought we were preparing for another raid. They were asking why the V-150 was there. It was just added security because of a phoned-in grenade threat)," De Jesus said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He said the MPD asked the elite Philippine National Police Special Action Force to deploy a V-150 armored personnel carrier to secure the precinct.
In a separate radio interview, De Jesus said the call came at 9 a.m. Monday, hours after MPD operatives arrested at least eight people and seized a kilo of suspected shabu in a predawn raid.
"Palagay ko maaring may kaugnayan kasi gawa ng sunod-sunod yung panghuhuli namin sa kanila. At the same time nakakatanggap kami ng di tamang paghihiganti nila (I believe the threat was related to the drug bust and to recent drug-related arrests we made. We have been at the receiving end of their so-called retaliation)," he said on dwiZ radio.
Only last month, unidentified men strafed the precinct following a series of drug-related arrests. De Jesus said the attack prompted the precinct to beef up its security measures.
But on Monday morning, he said the caller told them that the next attack will no longer involve bullets but a grenade.
"Sabi sa amin di na bala ang papuputukin diyan, granada na. Inaalam natin sino tumawag (The caller told us it won't be bullets that will come our way anymore. The next time, it will be a grenade)," he said.
FAKE COP WEARING LOUSY UNIFORM NABBED
04/02/2008 | 09:47 PM
MANILA, Philippines - For wearing lousy uniform, a fake Caloocan policeman fell into the hands of the police while he was accosting motorists in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Wednesday.
The fake cop was identified as Joselito Rosuelo, alias Joey, single and a resident of Block 10, Lot 8, Villa Subdivision, Bagongbong, Caloocan City. He is now in the custody of the Manila Police District -Station 3 (Sta Cruz).
Inspector Marlon Ursua, of the MPD-Station 3, said the suspect was nabbed at the corner of Laguna Street and Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila at 9:40 a.m.
Police Officers 2 Jesus Balisi, Christopher Magabilin and Domingo Dumancil were patrolling the area when they spotted the suspect accosting motorists. The lawmen initially ignored the suspect but they noticed that he was “lousy" with his uniform.
The suspect, when approached, reportedly produced an identification card to prove that he was a real Caloocan policeman.
When the lawmen sensed that he was not a legitimate policeman, they checked on his motorcycle where they recovered a fan knife, two improvised wrench, and a screw driver.
Lawmen are determining if the suspect was among the impostor policemen roaming the streets and extorting motorists.
He is facing Usurpation of Authority and violation of Sec 864-C (Concealing Deadly Weapons).
The fake cop was identified as Joselito Rosuelo, alias Joey, single and a resident of Block 10, Lot 8, Villa Subdivision, Bagongbong, Caloocan City. He is now in the custody of the Manila Police District -Station 3 (Sta Cruz).
Inspector Marlon Ursua, of the MPD-Station 3, said the suspect was nabbed at the corner of Laguna Street and Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila at 9:40 a.m.
Police Officers 2 Jesus Balisi, Christopher Magabilin and Domingo Dumancil were patrolling the area when they spotted the suspect accosting motorists. The lawmen initially ignored the suspect but they noticed that he was “lousy" with his uniform.
The suspect, when approached, reportedly produced an identification card to prove that he was a real Caloocan policeman.
When the lawmen sensed that he was not a legitimate policeman, they checked on his motorcycle where they recovered a fan knife, two improvised wrench, and a screw driver.
Lawmen are determining if the suspect was among the impostor policemen roaming the streets and extorting motorists.
He is facing Usurpation of Authority and violation of Sec 864-C (Concealing Deadly Weapons).
MANILA RESIDENTS TO GET 10% DISCOUNT IN MANILA OCEAN PARK
03/23/2008 | 04:36 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Manila residents will get a 10-percent discount in entrance fee when they go to the newly opened Manila Ocean Park.
This was after the MOP management granted the request made by Mayor Alfredo Lim that discounts be given to Manila residents who want to visit the oceanarium. In a letter to Mayor Lim, the MOP management said they are also studying giving discounts to students. Arrangements are also being made so that indigent children may also get to see the park free of charge. In order to avail of the discount, a Manila resident is required to present certain documents such as birth certificates, identification cards and barangay clearance.
The highlight of the park is a gargantuan 25-meter walk oceanarium featuring a tunnel where one can have a close-up look of hundreds of marine species.
Lim assured that aside from the security, which will be provided by the MOP itself, Manila policemen will also be fielded in the vicinity to ensure the safety of the visitors who are expected to flock there once the park is fully operational. The mayor expressed confidence that the MOP will boost the city government’s economy as its operations will generate much-needed revenues, jobs and entice more tourists to visit Manila, given the uniqueness of the world-class marine-themed park.
The MOP, he said, comes as an addition to the historical sites which serve as tourist attractions in Manila, since it is strategically located at the back of the Quirino Grandstand and a few meters away from the Rizal Park. The project is a joint undertaking of Singaporean and Malaysian investors and is aimed at showcasing the flora and marine fauna species found in the Philippines and educating the public on them. -
NURSING TOPNOTCHER GIVES BACK TO ALMA MATER
MANILA, FEBRUARY 23, 2008 (STAR) By Rhodina Villanueva - The topnotcher of the recent nursing board exams, a female student from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), will be saying thank you to her alma mater in the best way she knows.Zandra Mae Bongco, 21, said that instead of applying for work abroad or in private companies, she is now considering a teaching job being offered to her by the school administration, particularly by the dean of the College of Nursing. “I am considering the offer for me to teach in the university. I feel attracted to it. I think it would be fun and on Saturdays, I would still have time for graduate studies,” Bongco said. Though she is not discounting the possibility that she might go abroad to work, Zandra said that it is not her immediate plan. Rather, what she wants to do now is to serve the school that contributed to her development not only as a student but as a person.
“My school really helped a lot in this recent achievement of mine. I would say that the knowledge I gained from my teachers, the basics, the fundamentals that they taught me helped me to emerge as Number 1 in the nursing board exams,” Bongco said.
She remembered her teachers to be strict with the students, especially if it concerns their studies. “They put their heart into what they are doing. The salary is not that much but because they are dedicated to developing good students, teaching has become their way of life already,” she said.
Bongco added: “That is the reason why I have been very serious about my studies and why I have been developed into the kind of student I am now.” Asked what advice she could give the youth who would also want to achieve big things in life, Bongco said: “First is never forget to pray and aim for higher things and not just settle for what is presented to you.”
Bongco said that her strategy was no different from the others. “I just studied well. I just prayed to God,” she said. She recalled that during the first day of exams, she found the tests she took to be very difficult. “I was telling myself, ‘God help me pass.’ That’s all I wanted to happen, for me to pass. But God gave me more than that and I even became Number 1 among the examinees,” Bongco said.
Bongco said her parents – her mother who is a housewife and her father who is into recycling mineral water bottles – are very proud of her. Meanwhile, Adel Tamano, PLM president, said they are very proud of Zandra as well. “We are proud of Zandra. Though a big part of the success really belongs to Zandra, I would like to recognize the good job done by the Dean of the College of Nursing and his staff. They contributed much to this achievement,” he said. “This just shows that students can achieve great things if given proper government support. Zandra’s success should serve as a sign for the government to put more support or emphasis on human resources,” he added.
Tamano, who assumed the university’s presidency in August 2007, said they are very strict in accepting students at the PLM. “They really have to be good. Once inside, they should maintain grades not lower than 80,” he said. He vowed that they will continue to support Zandra on her plans to take up medicine in the future.
“We will find available scholarship for her so that she can pursue medicine,” Tamano said.
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