Drug gang leader killed in Taytay shootout
The suspected leader of a drug syndicate operating at a resettlement site in Taytay town, Rizal province, was killed in an alleged encounter with policemen on Sunday. Supt. Art Masungsong, Taytay police chief, said that some policemen were conducting surveillance operations in the area when they chanced upon four suspected drug pushers at Purok 4, Block 11 in Lupang Arienda, a resettlement site for informal settlers from Metro Manila. Masungsong added that a shoot-out ensued, leaving one of the suspects dead as his companions fled. The man was identified only as Orak, the leader of the group which sells methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” to residents in Lupang Arienda. Niña Calleja
Pickpocket arrested outside church in Tondo
Policemen arrested on Easter Sunday a pickpocket who preyed on churchgoers in Tondo, Manila, and stole close to P25,000 worth of cash and electronic gadgets. The arrest of Orlando Simeon, 29, a resident of Pacheco Street in Tondo, came a week after another pickpocket stole more than P20,000 in cash from people outside the same church, Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish, on L. Chacon Street on Palm Sunday. Manila Police District Moriones, Tondo Station personnel arrested Simeon in Plaza Hernandez outside the church when they caught him stealing from his fourth victim, Shanley Mahinay, who cried out in alarm when she discovered his hand inside her bag. SPO2 Cody Carmelo, MPD Tondo Station desk officer, told the Inquirer that after Simeon was arrested, three other churchgoers who lost their wallets and cell phones went to the police station to file a complaint against the thief. Lisa Aivas, 20, said she lost to Simeon two cell phones all worth P18,000; Carolyn Quintin, 22, complained of losing her wallet containing several identification cards and P2,500 in cash; while Ryan Garrido, 28, lost P4,000 in cash, several identification cards and a bank passbook. Carmelo said that Simeon remains in their custody pending the filing of theft charges against him with the city prosecutor’s office. Jeannette I. Andrade
Manila’s top students get cash incentives
Being smart may be a reward in itself although Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has seen fit to give out every year financial awards to the city’s top students. Over the weekend, Lim distributed around P1.6 million worth of cash rewards to 560 students from the city’s 71 elementary and 32 secondary schools who graduated with honors. Eighty grade school students and 32 high school students who graduated as valedictorians received P5,000 each while salutatorians in both levels received P4,000 each. On the other hand, those who were adjudged first honorable mentions in both levels received P3,000 each; second honorable mentions, P2,000 each; and third honorable mentions, P1,000 each. The awarding this year was held at San Andres Sports Complex during which Lim praised the students and their parents, the teachers and school principals for all their sacrifices. Jaymee T. Gamil
QHS Batch ’82 to hold grand reunion
Members of Batch 1982 of Quirino High School in Project 3, Quezon City are invited to the grand reunion on August 4 at Gateway Suites in Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City. Registration will start at 5 p.m. with tickets priced at P1,000 each. For more details, please contact any of the organizers: Cecil Fuentes (0927-4507772), Ilex Borja-Yuki (0919-8897858), or Jennifer Cochon (0917-8439348, 0922-8439348 / e-mail: jing2cochon@yahoo.com).