A MEMBER of a notorious robbery group was arrested in Quezon City the other day as he was on his way to court to attend a hearing for another case. Rodolfo Lalata Jr., 24, a member of the Cuya gang, was apprehended by policemen at the Quezon City Hall of Justice based on an arrest warrant for a robbery-in-band case. He was also being sought for his suspected involvement in a series of robberies last month, according to Quezon City Police District director Chief Supt. Joel Pagdilao. Lalata is a member of the Cuya gang which has been linked to at least eight robberies involving houses and business establishments in Quezon City since 2013. The group was known for tying up their victims with packaging tape. Jaymee T. Gamil
QC ordinance limits back riders
A NEWLY approved ordinance in Quezon City wants to make motorcycle-riding safer for children by restricting the number of back riders to just one. According to Ordinance No. 2395 signed into law by Mayor Herbert Bautista on April 15, children riders should have a sturdy and standard protective helmet. They should be able to reach the motorcycle’s footrest, put their arms around the driver’s waist and understand the importance of holding on securely. The ordinance introduced by Councilor Melencio Castelo Jr. cited a study conducted by Safe Kids Philippines, a nongovernment organization working to prevent child injuries, which showed that at least 35,000 Filipino children end up being victims of road accidents each year. Aside from providing guidelines for young motorcycle passengers, the ordinance stated that “it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motorcycle in any street in Quezon City with more than one back rider.” Violators will be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for second offense and P5,000 for third and succeeding offenses. Erika Sauler
Street food festival set in Ermita
A WIDE variety of Filipino street food prepared by gourmet chefs awaits the public at one of the biggest street food festivals in the country to be held at Robinsons Place Manila in Ermita, Manila, from April 27 to May 3. Familiar street food like turon, fish ball, kwek-kwek and kakanin will be served at the Fiesta De La Comida, or Street Food Festival, to be spearheaded by the Ermita Malate Business Owners Association (Emboa), a nongovernment organization, and Paseo de Malate. Michelle Pe, Emboa president, said they would serve unusual street food reinvented by gourmet chefs of various hotels in the Ermita and Malate areas. There will also be a cooking demonstration on April 30 at the mall’s Padre Faura Wing Atrium.