News Briefs

Estrella-Pantaleon bridge closed to traffic

With the long holiday season over, authorities have again ordered the closure of the 9-year-old Estrella-Pantaleon bridge starting on Saturday to pave the way for its total demolition by the Department of Public Works and Highways.  The closure is expected to affect 40,000 vehicles that use the bridge daily, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Motorists traversing Makati and Mandaluyong cities are advised to brace themselves for heavier traffic as classes and work resume next week. The two-lane bridge is among the two bridge projects along Pasig River—the other being the Binondo-Intramuros span in Manila—set for overhaul. Its reconstruction will be funded by a P1.4-billion official development assistance from China and is expected to be finished by 2021. The bridge will be replaced by a new, four-lane structure.—KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING

15 drug suspects arrested in Marikina

Fifteen drug users, including nine minors, were  arrested while having a “shabu” session in Marikina City on Thursday evening. The Marikina police identified the suspects as Art Cruz Viloria, 23;  July Lyndon Lumadilla, 28;  Jojo Arnais, 18;  Gilbert Bertiz, 33, all residents of Barangay Tumana in Marikina City; Nelson Ramos, 52, and   Delfin Castillo, 24, both from Barangay Malanday, Marikina City; and nine minors aged 14 to 17 years old. The suspects were arrested inside a house on Blk. 8 Mustasa St., Barangay Tumana, around 9:55 p.m. on a tip from a “concerned citizen.” Police raided the house after the suspects were spotted holding the drug sachets  and paraphernalia through an open window. Recovered from the suspects were six sachets of suspected shabu, a sachet of dried marijuana leaves, an improvised metal pipe, weighing scale, disposable lighters and a pack of transparent plastic sachets, police said.—JODEE A. AGONCILLO

Woman who abducted girl on New Year’s Day nabbed

A 39-year-old woman who allegedly abducted a 5-year-old girl in Quezon City on New Year’s Day was arrested two days after through the help of a concerned citizen who positively identified the missing girl in a television news report.  Amalia Bonete of Brgy. Tala in Caloocan was charged with kidnapping. Herminia Manalo-Tendaoco, 29, the mother of the girl, reported the kidnapping which happened around 1 p.m. in front of the Framil building on Edsa corner Aurora Blvd.  in Quezon City to the Cubao police.  A closed-circuit television footage in the area showed the missing girl walking with the suspect along the sidewalk.  After watching the incident on television on Thursday, Mary Grace Buban, who saw the missing girl in Caloocan City then told the local police about the girl. Buban said Bonete claimed that the girl she brought home was the daughter of a friend residing in Quiapo, Manila. Senior Police Officer 1 Wency de la Cruz immediately relayed the information to the Police Community Precinct 3 in Bagong Silang which led to the rescue of the girl and the arrest of Bonete.—JODEE A. AGONCILLO

UP Diliman tightens security around campus

The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) said it would strengthen its police and security visibility inside the campus, after a thief smashed the window of a parked car and carted away over P70,000 worth of cash and belongings on Wednesday. Ernie Lope, UPD vice chancellor for community affairs, assured the university community on Thursday that the campus remains safe to students, faculty and visitors alike. Around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, a security guard saw a “basag kotse” robber smash the rear passenger window of a Toyota Innova parked along Agoncillo Street.  Dr.  Algerich Chua, who owns the vehicle,  reportedly went for a jog with his wife inside the campus.  A report by the Quezon City Police District said the thief, identified as Roel Calso, 30, stole a sling bag with cash amounting to P12,000, an iPhone 8, gate remote, eyeglasses and several bank and identification cards, among others. Calso  was arrested. —JHESSET O. ENANO