Metrobriefs

UP-PGH security officer killed near LRT station

An officer of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) police was shot dead on Christmas morning near the corner of Taft Avenue and Pedro Gil Street in Manila as he was on his way home to attend a family reunion. Felipe de los Reyes Jr., 40, a supervisor of the UP-PGH police, was shot from behind by a still unidentified man near the Pedro Gil Light Rail Transit station around 6:30 a.m. Witnesses told the police that they heard two gunshots then saw a man around 5’4” tall in a white long-sleeve shirt and cap running away. Case investigator PO3 Bernardo Cayabyab said that De los Reyes had just finished his shift at UP-PGH. Some bystanders tried to chase the victim but backed off when they saw that he was carrying a gun. Probers are still trying to determine the motive behind the killing. Annelle Tayao-Juego

2 indiscriminate firing cases reported in Metro

Despite repeated warnings, the Philippine National Police has recorded at least two incidents of lawmen firing their gun indiscriminately. PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said the two cases happened in Metro Manila. One involved a Manila policeman, PO2 Arger Ballicud, who allegedly fired his gun as he was arguing with his wife on Monday in Binondo, Manila. Other cases were also reported in the Ilocos region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Last Monday, the PNP sealed the muzzles of its policemen’s service firearms with masking tape to prevent them from firing it indiscriminately during the holiday merry-making. The masking tapes, signed by the policeman’s commanding officer, would be removed only after New Year’s Day. Julie M. Aurelio

Makati fire displaces 11 families

Eleven families were left homeless in a fire that struck a house in Makati City on Christmas Day. Senior Insp. Tito Purgatorio, chief of the city’s arson investigation unit, said the blaze began at 2:25 a.m. on the second floor of Gloria Calimag’s house on F. Balagtas Street, Barangay (village) West Rembo. He said the blaze destroyed around P1 million worth of property and reached the third alarm before it was put out at 3:05 a.m. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the blaze which reportedly began in the room of Calimag’s son, Jerry. Residents said the fire may have been started by a defective electric fan or cell phone charger. Kristine Felisse Mangunay