Metrobriefs

DPWH Pasig River project 94% complete

To help lessen the problem of flooding in Metro Manila, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has nearly finished increasing the height of the seawall and revetment along a 16-kilometer stretch of the Pasig River, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said Saturday. Singson said the P4 billion project was now 94 percent complete and would be finished by June 2012 as a lot of squatters have yet to be relocated. “This is part of our Flood Control Master Plan and would help reduce flooding, particularly in the cities along the river,” said Singson, who inspected the project yesterday. The project increases the height of the seawall and revetment along the river which cuts through the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati and Pasig, Singson said. He said the revetment and sea wall were increased by as much as two meters to prevent the river from overflowing during heavy downpours. “With the help of our pumping stations, this project should minimize the flooding in these areas,” Singson said. Philip C. Tubeza

Elderly man with cancer hangs self

No longer able to bear the pain of his illness, an elderly man suffering from cancer hanged himself inside his house early Saturday in Quezon City. The victim, Eduardo Bautista, 54, was already dead when his daughter found him hanging at 7 a.m. inside the stock room of their house  on Basilio St., Regalado Ave. Extension in Barangay West Fairview. His daughter, Ednalyn Bautista, 28, recalled seeing her father drinking water in the kitchen two hours before the incident. Case investigator PO3 Jaime Jimena of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said the victim was suffering from gastric cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy. He was confined in the hospital for some time and was discharged on July 6. Julie M. Aurelio

Auto parts shops burglarized

Two automobile parts shops in Quezon City lost over P1.3 million in car parts, accessories, valuables and cash in a burglary which was discovered early this week. The break-in happened at the S4S Auto Hub and Euro Vision, which sell car parts on 123 Visayas Ave. Police said the incident might have happened between Wednesday night and Thursday morning while the shop was closed. Case investigator PO2 Jogene Hernandez of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said the two shops were owned by Sean Peter Salvosa and Jascha Dewa Subari, a German national. Found missing were car accessories, laptops, cameras, video recorders and other gadgets. Shop supervisor Analiza Tolentino told investigators that she found the office in disarray when she opened the shop at 10 a.m. Thursday. Hernandez said the burglars might have gained entry by destroying and removing the exhaust fan at the back of the establishment. Julie M. Aurelio

Truck helper killed in van heist

A truck helper was killed while another was injured during a daring delivery van heist at past midnight Friday in Quezon City. Police are now on the manhunt for four armed assailants on two motorcycles who robbed a truck of the Angeles Trading Company containing plastic products. The victim, Robert Lee Zamora, suffered a lone gunshot wound on the right torso in the heist which happened at around 12:40 a.m. along Matatag corner Dona Rosario St. in Barangay Novaliches Proper. His companion, fellow helper Gerald Maldo, sustained a gunshot wound on his right arm and was brought to the Quezon City General Hospital for treatment. Case investigator PO3 Gregorio Maramag of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said Zamora, Maldo, and driver Charles Massanegra, were on their way to make deliveries when the four suspects flagged down their van at a street corner. One opened fire at the truck, hitting the two helpers while the others took Massanegra’s wallet containing his drivers’ license, identification cards, and P4,000 in checks and receipts before fleeing.  Julie M. Aurelio

Man killed over soured drug deal

A 31-year-old man was killed by an unidentified suspect in Barangay Pembo in Makati City Saturday morning apparently over a drug deal that went bad. Supt. Jaime Santos, Makati police deputy chief for operations and public information officer, said the killing of victim Marlon Quigao, a resident of Taguig City, could be the handiwork of people whom the latter allegedly “double-crossed.” Quigao, a habal-habal (motorcycle-for-hire) operator, died instantly due to multiple gunshot wounds, Santos said. Initial investigation showed that the incident happened around 8 a.m. in front of victim’s parents’ house on Emerald Extension in Barangay Pembo. The victim was reportedly tinkering with his mobile phone outside the house when the suspect, armed with a handgun, suddenly appeared and shot him repeatedly. Although wounded, the victim tried to get up to run but the suspect pursued him and fired more shots to finish him off. The suspect then walked away casually after the shooting, police added. Residents in the area said the victim was engaged in the illegal drug trade.   Tina G. Santos

QC benefits from footbridge and fire truck

The Loyola-Pansol footbridge along Katipunan Avenue, made possible by the Department of Public Works and Highways, was inaugurated on June 29. “The footbridge would ensure the safety of pedestrians, particularly the students of Balara Elementary School, Balara High School, and other schools and universities,” Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal Jr. said. Quezon City 3rd District Councilors Julian Coseteng, Allan Reyes and Gian Sotto also attended the event. Following the footbridge inauguration was the turnover of a fire truck from the Department of Interior and Local Government to Barangay Loyola Heights. Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who graced the ceremony, called on the community to put the vehicle to good use.  Banal, along with Coseteng, Reyes and Sotto, representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and Loyola Heights Fire Rescue Volunteers, witnessed the MOA signing among Robredo, Loyola Heights barangay captain Ceasar Marquez, QC Fire Marshall FSSupt. Bobby Baruelo, BFP regional director FCSupt. Santiago Luna, and FSInsp. Noel Gagalac, QCFD Station 3 commander.