MetroBriefs

Hunt on for man who killed Makati cop

Authorities are looking for a man who shot a Makati policeman and his companion who were trying to verify a tip they received about an illegal drug transaction in Barangay (village) Olympia on Saturday night. Superintendent Jaime Santos, Makati police deputy chief for operations, said they had started a manhunt for Norberto Garcia, alias Bebet, 38, who killed Police Officer 2 Victoriano Cruz and wounded Lawrence Roque. Cruz, who was shot in the chest, died at Makati Medical Center on Sunday night, according to city police chief Senior Supt. Froilan Bonifacio. On the other hand, Roque, who was hit in the back, was already in stable condition. Investigation showed that the shooting took place around 9:30 p.m. on J. B. Roxas Street in Olympia. Before the shooting, Cruz went to the area, along with Roque, to validate a tip that a drug transaction was going on in the area. However, when Cruz and Roque arrived in the area on a motorcycle, Garcia suddenly fired at them before he escaped.—Tina G. Santos

Body stuffed into plastic bag found in Tondo

A grisly sight met workers of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) at North Harbor, Tondo, Manila, Monday morning: that of a decomposing body stuffed inside a plastic bag. The bag was spotted floating near the Parola East Gate by MICT staffers who were cleaning a patrol boat. The body was that of a man described to be around 40 to 42 years old, around 5 feet in height and dressed in a black T-shirt, a pair of denim pants with a brown belt, and a black sock on his left foot. The victim’s face, however, was badly bloated, making it difficult for policemen to discern his features, according to case investigator Senior Police Officer 3 David Tuazon in an interview. He added that due to the state of the body, the cause of death had yet to be determined.—Jaymee T. Gamil

Group to hold pre-fiesta ball on July 15

The Panganiban-Metro Manila Residents Association Inc. (Pmmarai) will hold its pre-fiesta ball at 8 p.m. on July 15 in Quezon City High School located at Scout Ybardolaza Street corner Kamuning Road in Kamuning, Quezon City. The affair is a gathering of natives of Panganiban, Catanduanes, who now live in Metro Manila, including those based overseas, in honor of their patron saint, St. James the Greater, whose feast day is celebrated on July 25. All Panganibanons are invited to attend the affair. For more details, contact Zaldy Sanchez at 0920-9062306, 4288335 and 95-5013; Corrie Jacob at 09275382615 and 0999-4356618; Beth Alcantara-de la Cruz at 0916-5711654; and Santi Alcantara at 0917-8834056.