Metrobriefs

A 1-year-old girl was killed while her cousin suffered burns when an hour-long fire razed a row of houses in Mandaluyong City on Monday night. Firefighters later found the burnt body of Daniela Lascoña at the second floor of the family’s three-story house at Block 38 on Martinez Street in Welfareville Compound, Barangay Addition Hills. On the other hand, Ben, the victim’s 1-year-old cousin, sustained burns all over his body after his cradle caught fire. Fortunately, he was rescued by a relative who took him to Mandaluyong Medical Center. Insp. Francia Embalsado, head of the arson investigation unit of the Bureau of Fire Protection, said the fire began at 10 p.m. on Monday. It reached the fire alarm and spread to 10 other houses before it was put out at 11:12 p.m. “The mother was in complete shock and could hardly talk to investigators,” Embalsado told the Inquirer. Arson investigators suspected that the fire was caused by an unattended lighted candle. Authorities estimated the damage to property at P500,000. Niña Calleja

3 men yield tea bags with marijuana in Makati

Three men allegedly selling tea bags which contained marijuana were arrested by a joint antinarcotics team from Makati City Hall and the police office last week, according to Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay. In a statement, Binay said Friday’s operation conducted by operatives of the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Madac) and Makati police antinarcotics team led to the arrest of Antoneth Halili, 42; Ron Marbella, 33; and Louie Mark Halili, 19; in Barangay Cembo. They were subsequently charged with violating antinarcotics laws. “Our goal is to make Makati a drug-free city. The city government will not allow drug peddlers to destroy the lives of our children,” Binay said. Recovered from the three men were 37 tea bags containing marijuana and a fourth of a marijuana brick valued between P5,000 and P7,000. Binay praised the Madac team for another successful drug raid which he said was proof it was among the country’s best performing antinarcotics councils. It was awarded last year by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for its “exceptional contribution” against the proliferation of the illegal drug trade in Makati City. From January to March this year, Binay said Madac and the city police arrested 39 drug offenders who were later charged in court. Miko Morelos