Metrobriefs

Box of ‘ecstasy’ seized in Parañaque

A package from the Netherlands was found containing 1,010 tablets of the party drug “ecstasy” at a post office in Parañaque City, authorities said on Saturday. The drug (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), which could fetch around P1.5 million, was packed in a box intercepted at the local PhilPost office on Jan. 8, according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Arturo G. Cacdac Jr. It was sent by J. Vermolen of Watergraasmeerstraat 35 2131DB Hoofddrop, The Netherlands, and addressed to a resident of BF Homes, Parañaque, who is now under investigation. Rima Granali

14 of 16 QC escapees back in jail

The Quezon City Police District has recaptured 14 of the 16 detainees who escaped from the Cubao station on Dec. 31. The latest to be arrested was CJ Nuque, a robbery suspect who resided in San Juan City but was tracked down in Dasmariñas, Cavite province, in the wee hours of Saturday. On Wednesday, Alvin Lorensaga, another escapee booked for estafa, was arrested in Barangay 155, Caloocan City. QCPD spokesperson Senior Insp. Maricar Taqueban said tracker teams were still going after two more: robbery suspect Wilmar Morales, 38; and Rene Flores, 31, who faces charges for illegal possession of deadly weapons. Rima Granali

QC gov’t OKs scholarships

Poor but deserving students in Quezon City may avail themselves of scholarships for vocational and technical courses under an ordinance approved by Mayor Herbert Bautista last month. With a budget of P7 million, the assistance program provides a minimum tuition coverage of P4,000 and a P1,500 stipend per qualified student, said District 4 Councilor Bayani Hipol, who authored the measure. The ordinance applies to “nonacademic” courses, including culinary arts, wellness services and even driving lessons, Hipol explained. “This scholarship is for the masses,” he said, noting that most assistance programs cater only to students who top their class. “This is for those who can get only a grade of 75, so to speak, those who come from depressed areas, but who still want to learn skills that can land them a job here or abroad.” The tuition grant will be sent directly to the enrollee’s school. Applicants must undergo screening and take an aptitude test. Rima Granali

A package from the Netherlands was found containing 1,010 tablets of the party drug “ecstasy” at a post office in Parañaque City, authorities said on Saturday. The drug (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), which could fetch around P1.5 million, was packed in a box intercepted at the local PhilPost office on Jan. 8, according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Arturo G. Cacdac Jr. It was sent by J. Vermolen of Watergraasmeerstraat 35 2131DB Hoofddrop, The Netherlands, and addressed to a resident of BF Homes, Parañaque, who is now under investigation. Rima Granali

14 of 16 QC escapees back in jail

The Quezon City Police District has recaptured 14 of the 16 detainees who escaped from the Cubao station on Dec. 31. The latest to be arrested was CJ Nuque, a robbery suspect who resided in San Juan City but was tracked down in Dasmariñas, Cavite province, in the wee hours of Saturday. On Wednesday, Alvin Lorensaga, another escapee booked for estafa, was arrested in Barangay 155, Caloocan City. QCPD spokesperson Senior Insp. Maricar Taqueban said tracker teams were still going after two more: robbery suspect Wilmar Morales, 38; and Rene Flores, 31, who faces charges for illegal possession of deadly weapons. Rima Granali

QC gov’t OKs scholarships

Poor but deserving students in Quezon City may avail themselves of scholarships for vocational and technical courses under an ordinance approved by Mayor Herbert Bautista last month. With a budget of P7 million, the assistance program provides a minimum tuition coverage of P4,000 and a P1,500 stipend per qualified student, said District 4 Councilor Bayani Hipol, who authored the measure. The ordinance applies to “nonacademic” courses, including culinary arts, wellness services and even driving lessons, Hipol explained. “This scholarship is for the masses,” he said, noting that most assistance programs cater only to students who top their class. “This is for those who can get only a grade of 75, so to speak, those who come from depressed areas, but who still want to learn skills that can land them a job here or abroad.” The tuition grant will be sent directly to the enrollee’s school. Applicants must undergo screening and take an aptitude test. Rima Granali