Metrobriefs

Snatchers hit 2 French tourists

Two French tourists lost close to P200,000 worth of jewelry to two snatchers who posed as beggars in Manila before noon on Thursday. Sylie Marie Adrienne Bacle, 55; and Mary Josee Rose Hergault, 63, both staying in a Makati City hotel, were robbed at the corner of Roxas Boulevard and Burgos Street in Ermita. PO2 Adonis Aguila said the victims were then on a group tour with other compatriots when they stopped at the street corner to check their map. Two men then approached them, asking for money. When the tourists refused, one of the men grabbed Hergault’s gold necklace while the other pulled Bacle’s necklace with a diamond pendant. Jeannette I. Andrade

HR exec shot, robbed in QC

A Human resources manager of a pharmaceutical company was shot dead while crossing a footbridge on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Thursday night. Police said Johnny Gonzales, 35, of Sampaloc, Manila, was apparently targeted by robbers. A cigarette vendor then standing under the bridge first heard a shot, then went up to find the victim lying face down with a gunshot wound in the head, his pockets emptied. Gonzales’ body was positively identified by his coworkers at Diamond Laboratory. Nancy C. Carvajal

14-hr Paranaque warehouse fire

Over P15 million worth of groceries and dry goods were destroyed in a warehouse fire in Parañaque City. Fighters took about 14 hours to put out the blaze that engulfed the storage owned by Suysing Commercial Corp. on Km 16, East Service Road, Barangay San Martin de Porres.  The fire started at around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday and was believed to have been caused by electrical problems. At least one fireman, Insp. Wilson Tana, was injured. Nathaniel R. Melican

Flora Filipina Expo in QC

The Philippine Orchid Society, together with the Department of Agriculture and Quezon City government, is holding Flora Filipina Expo 2012 until March 12 at the Flower Garden, Quezon Memorial Circle. The country’s premier garden show, which also features demos and lectures, is chaired by Evangeline B. Go, with Kelvin Neil B. Manubay as POS president. To see the exhibit area, enter via East Avenue facing QMC gate.  Call 929-4425, 0917-848-5468 or e-mail [email protected].