Holdup man downed by rookie cop
MANILA, Philippines—A hold-up man fleeing from his victim on Edsa ended up dead in Quezon City after he and his accomplice figured in a shootout with a policeman chasing them Monday night.
The dead robber was identified as Barangay Pinyahan resident Jerome Gallardo, 20. He was shot once in the abdomen by PO1 Valentino Asa of the Kamuning police.
The shooting happened at the corner of Edsa and NIA Road, according to a police report. Recovered from Gallardo was a cell phone and a plastic pouch containing a dental hygiene kit with the name tag reading “Monica.”
These belonged to Gallardo’s last victim, telecom employee Monica Soleil Mercado, 29. Mercado, a Pasig resident, told the police that she was walking to the GMA-Kamuning Metro Rail Transit station on Edsa around 8:30 p.m. Monday when she was held up at knife-point by two men.
Asa, who was patrolling the area, noticed the commotion and gave chase as the robbers started running away with their loot. Upon reaching NIA Road, however, one of the two men shot Asa who fired back and hit Gallardo as his accomplice escaped, said a report from Kamuning police commander Supt. Limuel Obon.
Gallardo was brought to East Avenue Medical Center where he died. Quezon City police director Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao, in a statement on Tuesday, commended Asa for his bravery and readiness to respond to the crime. “His actions certainly deserve our commendation which is worthy of emulation,” Pagdilao said.
Sisters of Mary School’s Solidarity Race: “Run with Us, Help a Child” on April 19
THE FIRST ASMSI Solidarity Race, “Run with Us. Help a Child,” goes to the starting line on April 19 at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. Runners and fun run enthusiasts are invited to the run-for-a-cause organized by the Alumni of the Sisters of Mary School Inc. (ASMSI) Cavite chapter officers and alumni volunteers.
The event aims to raise public awareness about the existence of its beneficiary, Fr. Al’s Children Foundation Inc. (FACFI) and the foundation’s sole beneficiary, the Sisters of Mary Schools in the Philippines. It will feature the 3K, 5K, 10K and 15K race categories. First to third place finishers will get either trophies, cash prizes or finisher medals depending on the category.
The race will start at 3:30 a.m. at the Quezon Memorial Circle Commonwealth Avenue entrance, run through Elliptical Road and the UP-Ayala Technohub. Participants support the ASMSI’s advocacy of helping the over 10,000 poorest of the poor children studying in Sister of Mary schools nationwide. Registration is up to April 12. Log in at solidarityrace.asmsi.org.ph/register.php or go to an on-site registration in the Canadian Immigration Consultancy office at the Mall of Asia.
More information will also be posted on the group’s Facebook page “ASMSI Solidarity Race” at www.facebook.com/groups/727367913999521/. The fun run is copresented by ActibShow (www.aktivshow.com/) and media partners, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and 1 Digimedia Audivisuals Inc., Gatorade and the Quezon City government through the Office of Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte.
Maryknoll ’70 reunion on March 20-22
THE HIGH School Class 1970 of Maryknoll Academy of Lucena City will have its 45th reunion on March 20 to 22 at Pueblo por la Playa. Activities will include lunch at Cortijo de Palsabangon, an island-hopping trip to Maharlika, Sandbar and Lukang Island, and a Quezon heritage tour. For more information, please contact Techie at [email protected] or Mayenne at [email protected] or at 0917-8842852.
UE launches new law scholarship program
THE UNIVERSITY of the East (UE) launches its College of Law’s new scholarship program at 5 p.m. today, March 4, at the Dr. Francisco Dalupan Sr. building in UE Manila. Spearheading the event are Philippine Airlines president and UE vice chair Jaime Bautista, UE president and chief academic officer Ester Garcia and College of Law (CLaw) dean Dante Tinga, a retired Supreme Court justice. Applicants should pass a written entrance examination and panel interview. For more information, call 7356978 or 7355471, locals 323 and 324.
