Reelected Manila Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Tuesday asked for the dismissal of “malicious and fabricated” charges filed against him by the Manila police in connection with his arrest for sponsoring a bingo game in February in the Blumentritt area. Domagoso and several councilors running for reelection were accused of illegal gambling, direct assault and obstruction of justice following the incident. During his appearance yesterday at a preliminary investigation conducted by the Department of Justice, he asked that the charges be dismissed as he maintained that the bingo game was only for entertainment and there was no money or wagers involved. He explained that it was also in line with their consultation of residents in the area. Domagoso also claimed that the arresting policemen violated their human rights because they failed to read to them their rights. Nancy C. Carvajal
Murder suspect arrested in drug raid
One of the 22 people arrested in a drug bust in Barangay Culiat, Quezon City, on Monday has been linked to the murder of a woman in the area last month. Parsaudy Ismula, also known as “Idol,” was identified by a witness as the one who shot and killed Mary Jane de los Reyes, 22, on May 7 inside her house at the Salaam Compound. Case investigator SPO1 Eric Lazo said Ismula was among those arrested in an operation conducted by the Quezon City Police District’s anti-illegal drugs unit. Seized during the raid were 100 grams or P600,000 worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” that was found inside the house of suspected pusher Michelle Ibañez and her live-in-partner, Umda Hadjirul. Ibañez was arrested but Hadjirul was not around during the raid on the house which reportedly doubles as an illegal drugs and gambling den. A witness said that he saw Ismula loitering near the victim’s house shortly after midnight on May 7. When the victim entered her house, the suspect followed her. The witness later heard shouts and the sound of gunfire before he saw the suspect walking out of the house. Julie M. Aurelio