Metro Briefs: DOLE stops Antipolo project after deadly landslide

DOLE stops Antipolo project after deadly landslide

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday issued a work stoppage order against the contractors for a two-story residential building in Antipolo City, a day after a landslide at the project site killed three laborers. Regional Director Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita issued the order upon the recommendation of the DOLE officer in charge in Rizal province, Marivic Martinez, who inspected the construction site on Marcos Highway, Sta. Cruz, in Cogeo. According to Martinez, the contractors, RAC Construction and Mhaerick Corp., allegedly failed to submit their respective construction safety and health program to the city government. The workers who were killed—Darwin, Darrell and Rene Villegas—carried out their job without the required protective gear, the official also noted. Investigation showed that five workers were erecting steel frames for a retaining wall when a nearby mound of soil eroded around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Three of the workers were crushed to death and their bodies were buried for hours before being recovered. The two other workers, Felix Dulay and Jesse Llorica sustained leg fractures. The owner of the residential building was identified as Jacintito Catipay. Jocelyn R. Uy

 MPD sues one of its cops over student’s complaint

THE MANILA Police District (MPD) has filed multiple criminal complaints against an officer who allegedly mauled a student and forced him to strip at gunpoint. PO1 Marlon San Diego of the MPD’s Sta. Mesa police station was charged with grave misconduct, physical injury, unjust vexation, threat using a gun, and indiscriminate firing. The complainant, 21-year-old Patrick Calvin Dayrit, was assisted by the MPD General Assignments Section. San Diego, despite two summons sent to him through the Plaza Avelino precinct, has yet to give his side as he had reportedly gone on leave. According to the complaint filed in the city prosecutor’s office, Dayrit was walking home near Bambang market in Tondo, Manila, around 3 a.m. on Feb. 21 when San Diego blocked his path and tripped him. The policeman then accused him of robbery and rape, kicked him while he was still down on the ground and ordered him to strip. Dayrit also claimed that San Diego took his cell phone and P2,000 in cash, and that the officer tried to shoot him but missed. The policeman made him get up and as they were walking, San Diego allegedly kept hitting him in the head. The incident was witnessed by some village officials. Aie Balagtas See