Metrobriefs
Dying man’s last words lead to killer’s arrest
A dying man’s last words led the police to his killer, resulting in the latter’s arrest and the filing of charges against him Tuesday. Case investigator PO2 Rommel Bautista of the Caloocan police identified the victim as Richard Ocba. He died at Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center where he was confined after he was shot in the neck on Sunday night in Maypajo, Barangay 35, Caloocan City. “We found out that (Ocba) ran inside his house after being shot that night and he told his wife, Rowena, ‘I was shot by the barangay tanod of 35,’” Bautista said. A few seconds later, Ocba fell unconscious. The victim, the policeman added, had a pending warrant for his arrest on murder charges filed against him in the Caloocan Regional Trial Court Branch 122 under Judge Georgina Hidalgo. Based on the information given by the victim’s wife who went to the police, members of the Police Community Precinct 7 arrested Arturo Aligutan, 50, who denied the accusation against him. Several witnesses, however, confirmed that they saw him pointing a gun at Ocba shortly before the victim was shot. The motive for the killing, however, has yet to be determined by the police. The case investigator said that Aligutan would be subjected to a paraffin test and should he test positive, this would be used as additional evidence against him. Kristine Felisse Mangunay
Woman seeks help for husband’s dialysis
Out of her love for her husband, Aurea Navoa will do anything to ensure to see that her better-half, Manuel, undergoes dialysis regularly for his chronic kidney disease at Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital in Tondo, Manila. “My husband has been good to us all these years that’s why his presence is enough. He may just sit there the whole day and my love for him won’t diminish. Our two married children love him, too,” Navoa said. The 58-year-old former security guard of Procter and Gamble Philippines has been undergoing dialysis since last year, twice a week at P1,500 per session. For their needs, the Navoas depend on the profits which come from the family’s sari-sari (retail) store. Navoa runs the store with the help of a nephew. “If I stop or close our store, we will end up with nothing to eat,” she said. Aside from his weekly dialysis sessions, Navoa’s husband needs regular injections to maintain his hemoglobin count as he is also suffering from diabetes. He lost his left leg in 2010 to the ailment which he has been battling for the last 12 years. Those who want to help the family cope with Manuel’s medical expenses can reach Navoa at 0921-5034067. For donations, deposits can be made in the bank account of her daughter Racquel Tamayo at BDO (account number 1570151308). Santiago R. Alcantara
