Metrobriefs

Pasay creates task force for papal visit

Since it will be the first city to greet Pope Francis, Pasay has created a task force for his arrival in the country next month. Mayor Antonino Calixto announced on Tuesday that he has formed Task Force Viva Il Papa (VIP) to help in the emergency response, traffic management and other preparations for the Pope’s visit from Jan. 15 to 19. “The papal visit in January is a historic event for the country this millennium,” Calixto said during a meeting with the City’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO). The task force, according to the city government, will be composed of about 500 personnel from 10 offices of the local government like the CDRRMO, Traffic Management Office and Pasay Rescue. “Pasay, being one of the major destinations of Pope Francis during the visit, is called upon to help make this event successful. We in Pasay will humbly oblige with joy in our hearts,” Calixto said. The plane bringing the Holy Father to the country will arrive and depart at Villamor Airbase which is located in the city. Another event scheduled in the city is Pope Francis’ meeting with the Families at the Mall of Asia. Pasay City administrator and CDRRMO coordinator Dennis Acorda said that Task Force VIP would mostly focus on traffic management for road closures and rerouting as well as emergency response. “The Pasay Rescue will be on standby in strategic areas for emergency cases that need immediate attention during the entire length of the papal visit,” Acorda said, adding that the task force would be on full alert “first thing after the holidays.” Maricar B. Brizuela

Man shot dead after opening door for killer

A man was shot and killed inside his hotel room in Tondo, Manila, on Monday after he opened the door for his assailant. According to police, the incident happened after the victim, 43-year-old Bunny Merciadez, checked in at the Jett Inn Hotel on Juan Luna Street with his girlfriend Charlene Barlaan, 18, at 4 a.m. on Monday. When someone knocked on the door of their room, Merciadez opened the door and was shot in the face by the still unidentified man who immediately escaped. According to a report by PO3 Bernardo Cayabyab of the Manila Police District’s homicide section, Barlaan hid under the bed when she heard a gun fire. A hotel employee, Rexon Capareno, 24, ran to the room when he heard the shot. He said he tried to stop the fleeing suspect but backed off when the man pointed a gun at him. Capareno told the police that he had seen the suspect—described as around 5’5″ tall, bald and with fair complexion—hanging around the hotel earlier in the morning with two women. The police said they were investigating if the suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia found in the victim’s possession were related to his death. Annelle Tayao-Juego

QC, Philippine Bible Society to host fun run

The Quezon City Library and Information Center through the support of city officials and the Philippine Bible Society will hold a three-kilometer fun run and “Handwritten Unity Bible” at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Jan. 24, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., in celebration of National Bible Week. This is a fundraising event in support of the “May They Be One” Bible campaign to be distributed to five million Filipino poor families. The registration fee is P300 with the registration period from Dec. 10 to Jan. 16, 2015. For inquiries, call Mariza Chico or Marlyn Bautista at 9279834 or 9224060.