Metrobriefs

<STRONG>Trader loses P1.7 million to burglars</STRONG>

ANOTHER businessman lost around  P1.7 million worth of cash and valuables when robbers broke into his house in Quezon City while he was away on Sunday, a police report said. The case was the third burglary involving traders since March. SPO2 Christopher Ronquillo of the Quezon City Police District said burglars entered the house of Manuel Go on Engineering Street in GSIS Village,  Barangay Sangandaan. They took P1.5 million in cash, a  cal. .22 pistol, a diamond ring, several pieces of jewelry, three laptop computers, a driver’s license and the expensive padlock of the gate. The police said the victim discovered the burglary after he came home at around 2 p.m.  According to the trader, he left his house at 10 a.m. to have lunch with relatives. Based on an investigation, the robbers went to the victim’s house in a Toyota Innova which they parked in front of the gate. <strong><em>Nancy C. Carvajal</em></strong>

<STRONG>Woman arrested for stealing candy</STRONG>

MANILA policemen arrested on Monday a 49-year-old woman with a sweet tooth after she stole two packs of candy from a grocery store in Binondo, Manila. Leonora Santos, a resident of Samar Street in Sampaloc, Manila, was accused of taking two packs of candy worth P206 from Eliza’s Grocery at Divisoria Mall at around 1:30 p.m. PO3 Hernando Arnaldo, case investigator of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 11, said that Santos pretended to be a customer but a clerk caught her taking two bags of candy which she placed inside a bag she was carrying.  <strong><em>Azer N. Parrocha</em></strong>

<STRONG>Rob suspect killed in shoot-out </STRONG>

ONE OF TWO suspected robbers was killed before dawn Tuesday in a shoot-out with policemen after a brief chase in Manila. The unidentified thief was described as between 30 and 35 years old, 5’3” tall and of slim build. He was dressed in a black T-shirt with long sleeves and denim pants. Supt. James Afalla, Manila Police District (MPD) Station 3 commander, said the man had several tattoos of several names: Lot, Boy, Marlon, Ramon, Wilson Chua, Melchor, Boyet  and Norman Bautista  on his chest and back. Afalla added that the man and another cohort earlier robbed a passenger jeepney bound for Caloocan City on Rizal Avenue. Some of the passengers, however, spotted a police car near the LRT Bambang Station and shouted for help. A chase ensued, leading to a shoot-out at the corner of Oroquieta and Bambang Streets in Sta. Cruz. One of the robbers was killed while the other escaped. Recovered from the slain man was a cal. .38  revolver and a bag taken from one of the jeepney passengers. <strong><em>Jeannette I. Andrade</em></strong>

<STRONG>NCRPO launches complaint textlines</STRONG>

THE NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has launched a way for the public to submit their complaints to authorities by creating text hotlines. Chief Supt. Alan Purisima, NCRPO director, said that with the hotline, the police would not have any more reason for not taking action on problems aired by the public. “Policemen who will not provide immediate action will face hard sanctions for sure for their failure and neglect of duty,” he told reporters at a press conference in Camp Bagong Diwa yesterday. Purisima added that the public can  also use the text messaging hotline to report erring policemen. On the other hand, the police will be able to send progress reports on complaints through SMS. The public can forward their complaints and tips to the NCRPO by texting 0915-8888181 and 0999-9018181. To discourage pranksters, however, texters will be required to register. “Prank messages will cause the unnecessary deployment of policemen,” Purisima said. Each report received will be verified, according to NCRPO spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos. <strong><em>Miko Morelos</em></strong>