MetroBriefs

Makati students top nat’l tests in Metro

After Makati public high school students topped the national achievement test in Metro Manila for the third straight year, Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay attributed their noteworthy achievement to the city government’s heavy investment on education. In a report to the mayor, Makati schools superintended Elena Ruiz said the city got an overall rating of 53.6 percent in the national achievement test  which measures a student’s knowledge in English, math, science, Filipino and social studies. “Such achievements validate and reward the continuing commitment of the city government to equipping the youth of Makati with quality education,” Binay said in a statement.—Miko Morelos

Death by neglect

Henry Lacaba, 28, a vendor from Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila, was already dead when he was fished out from Manila Bay by Philippine Coast Guard men Sunday morning. The saddest part: Lacaba apparently drowned in front of his friends on Saturday night before a trip to Bataan by boat. Lacaba, his friends told the police, was the one who untied their boat from its mooring on the dock, case investigator Police Officer 3 Jupiter Tajonera of the Manila Police District Homicide section reported. Lacaba was just catching up with the boat when strong waves overtook him and he disappeared into the water. However, instead of looking for him, his friends simply left him behind and continued on to Bataan to collect wheat for trading. They only reported the incident to Lacaba’s family upon their return home on Sunday. Lacaba’s corpse was fished out in Del Pan, Binondo, Manila. Tajonera told reporters that following procedure, they would study the possibility of foul play. It seemed unlikely, however, as Lacaba showed no signs of external injuries.—Jaymee T. Gamil