Metro Briefs: QC ex-councilor’s car among vehicles towed by MMDA

A car belonging to actress and former Quezon City Councilor Aiko Melendez was among the 20 vehicles towed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for illegal parking on Tuesday. Bong Nebrija, MMDA supervising officer for operations, said a road-clearing team found Melendez’s car in a tow-away zone at the corner of Mother Ignacia and Scout Borromeo Streets, Quezon City. According to Nebrija, Melendez was reportedly in the area for a film shoot. He explained that while barangay officials issued a permit allowing the shooting, it didn’t automatically exempt people involved in the production from traffic rules. To get their vehicles back, erring motorists should pay a P1,500 fine for the first four kilometers from the site it was towed to the MMDA impounding area in Pasig, plus P200 for every succeeding kilometer. Last year, the MMDA also towed the car of actress and former Parañaque Councilor Alma Moreno, which was illegally parked in front of Bayview Tower on Roxas Boulevard.—JOVIC YEE

Manila policeman killed in Paco ambush

A member of the Manila Police District (MPD) was shot dead inside his car in Paco on Monday afternoon. The MPD homicide section identified the victim as PO2 Abdul Jabbar Alonto, 36, of the District Investigation Division. Traveling alone, Alonto was driving along San Gregorio Street near the corner of Peñafrancia when two men on a motorcycle approached on the driver’s side. One of the men shot Alonto at close range before they fled toward Marcelino Street. Hit in the shoulder, Alonto lost control of his Toyota Vios and crashed it into an electrical post. He was later declared dead on arrival at Philippine General hospital. The motive for the killing remained under investigation.—Cierylene Florento