Metrobriefs

PNP cites cop killed in the line of duty

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday conferred a posthumous medal of merit award on PO1 Alvin Ammak who was killed by armed men in Muntinlupa City the other day. Apart from the commendation, the slain policeman’s family also received financial assistance from the PNP, said Chief Insp. Jenny Tecson, public information officer of the Southern Police District.  Ammak, a native of Zamboanga City who was assigned at the Muntinlupa Police Community Precinct 2, was shot dead by still unidentified men as he was coming to the aid of Lancilop Padulle, a resident of Barangay Buli in the city, who had figured in a brawl with a group of men who followed him and then shot him in the face. Ammak, who was on patrol, heard the commotion and tried to help Padulle but he was shot in the chest and died on the spot. Tina G. Santos

Man found dead in Valenzuela public cemetery

The lifeless body of a still unidentified man was found Tuesday inside a public cemetery in Valenzuela City. Senior Insp. Jess Sagisi of the Valenzuela City Police said the man, between 35 and 40 years old, was found at Polo Public Cemetery by Frederico Mangasar, a bystander, at around 4 p.m. The victim was found submerged face down in knee-deep floodwaters. Police said a check of the body showed that he did not have injuries. “His body was only bloated. He had been submerged in the floods for sometime,” Sagisi said.  Investigators described the victim as 5’5” in height, with fair complexion and dressed only in a gray pair of pants. He had a tattoo on his right shoulder which read “Dakilang Ina.”  Kristine Felisse Mangunay

Councilor protests inclusion in lawsuit

A Manila councilor has cried foul over his inclusion in criminal complaints lodged by former Mayor Lito Atienza against incumbent city officials in connection with the alleged illegal approval of a city ordinance which granted tax exemptions to Smart Telecommunications Inc. Councilor DJ Bagatsing said in a statement that the complaint lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman was “ill-researched” because it included those opposed to the ordinance, including himself. City Ordinance No. 8229, passed on April 26, exempted Smart from the payment of franchise and real property taxes on all machinery and equipment found in its cell sites. Last week, Atienza and 10 barangay chairmen  alleged that the ordinance violated the Local Government Code, among others. Named as respondents in the complaint were Mayor Alfredo Lim, his secretary Rafaelito Garayblas, city legal officer Renato de la Cruz, Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, and 33 of the 38 councilors, including Bagatsing. Jaymee T. Gamil