With the support of the local community, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested twelve Chinese nationals in three houses inside Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City, and seized varied firearms, ammunition and equipment, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The National Bureau of Investigation- National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) on Wednesday said it has arrested 12 Chinese nationals in Muntinlupa City for violation of Republic Act No. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
In a news release, the NBI said the foreigners were nabbed in an operation conducted Monday evening to Tuesday morning in three residential houses in in Ayala Alabang Village by virtue of search warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City.
The NBI operatives, together with representatives from the barangay, homeowners’ association and village security personnel, searched the premises and seized five pistols, along with magazines and ammunition in the first location; four pistols with magazines and ammunition, two taser guns, three bulletproof vests, tactical knives, and handcuffs on the second; and one pistol with a magazine and ammunition and tactical gear for pistols on the third.
Various identification cards belonging to individuals named Yi Wan, Wang Zenghui, Yichun Liu, Zhou Chenchen, Zhang Yu, Xiu Zhang, Zhang Qi Ja, Wang Zenghui and Wang Weibin were also seized.
The NBI said four vehicles were also impounded for verification after the owners failed to present the necessary documents.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be more Chinese nationals living here in the Philippines armed with guns and other deadly weapons? How do you think the suspects acquired the firearms and ammunition in the first place? Do you think the arrested Chinese nationals were plotting a violent takeover of the community? Do you think violent crimes involving Chinese nationals in other cities could be connected with the suspects?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
The eight illegal aliens – seven Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese citizen – who were recently arrested inside Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City, will soon be deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). All of the suspects were found to be undocumented and also under suspicion of scamming.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The eight foreigners apprehended for illegally staying in the country at a village in Muntinlupa City are set for deportation, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday.
Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, in a news release, said seven Chinese nationals and a Vietnamese national were arrested by operatives of the BI’s intelligence division along three streets inside the village on Oct. 22.
“The homeowner association representatives of the Ayala Alabang Village were very helpful in helping us verify target areas,” he said in statement.
All of them were found to be undocumented — two of whom were also found to be overstaying while one was suspected to be an illegal entrant.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier reported that items used for online scamming were seized from the suspects.
Viado noted that they have received information that smaller “pockets” of scamming hubs are forming after the closure of big Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs in the country.
“We have found reason to file deportation cases against them. They will be considered undesirables once their cases are resolved, and face deportation,” the BI chief added.
The operation was conducted with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the NBI National Capital Region (NCR).
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted that the local authorities arrested the illegal aliens and prevented them from proceeding with scams? Do you think there are small groups from POGOs that could be secretly operating in your local community?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, eight foreigners – seven Chinese nationals and one Vietnamese citizen – suspected for scamming got arrested inside a house in Ayala Alabang Village as a result of an operation by elements of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), according to a Malaya Business Insight news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Malaya Business Insight news report. Some parts in boldface…
SEVEN Chinese and a Vietnamese suspected as scammers were arrested in an operation in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City, the Department of Justice said yesterday.
In a statement, the DOJ said the operation, carried out with the Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, stemmed from information provided by residents and corroborated by intelligence regarding the presence of the foreigners in the posh village.
The DOJ said three Chinese were initially nabbed, two of whom were found to be overstaying in the country, while the other one could not present any documentation.
It said one of the three served for a time as a manager of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
“Upon entry, there was a live computer operated by a Chinese individual. When read by an interpreter, the screen showed scripts used in a standard phishing scam,” the DOJ said, adding operatives also found a voice-over IP, an equipment usually used in telephone scams to avoid detection.
Four Chinese and the Vietnamese were later arrested.
The DOJ said four failed to present documentation and were considered illegally staying in the country.
“One Chinese national, though not lacking in documentation, is suspected to have harbored the illegal aliens in violation of immigration laws,” the DOJ said.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you concerned that scammers from overseas could be living somewhere in your local community secretly doing illegal operations? Do you think that foreign POGO workers could be secretly staying in your village right now? Do you think the seven arrested Chinese nationals could be spies of Communist China?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, an incident took place inside Ayala Alabang Village which eventually led to the discovery that two members of Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) turned out to be working as bodyguards for Chinese nationals and drew a reaction from Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon expressed disgust against some police officers who moonlight as bodyguards for Chinese nationals amid the controversy over their presence in the country.
Biazon reacted to the arrest of two members of Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) who engaged in a fistfight in the posh Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa.
They were identified by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) as Police Corporal George Rojo Mabuti, 30, and Patrolman Roger Ramos Valdez, 30, who were arrested by Muntinlupa Police on May 18.
The NCRPO said the two provided VIP security to a Chinese national involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
Biazon commended the Muntinlupa Police for their immediate action.
“I commend the Muntinlupa Police which immediately responded to the scene and faithfully performed their duty in arresting the culprits,” he said.
However, the mayor said that some police officers work as bodyguards for Chinese nationals.
“It is sad that in the light of the controversy surrounding the presence of Chinese nationals in the country, personnel from the PNP engage in illegal moonlighting as bodyguards. I expect the PNP leadership to do what is right and what is called for by law,” said Biazon.
According to the NCRPO, at about 3:15 p.m. on May 18, a security guard of Ayala Alabang Village who was on patrol saw a fistfight between the two and sought the help from the Ayala-Alabang Police Sub-Station 5 (SS5).
Mabuti fled and sought refuge in one of residences in the village which caused panic and alarm among the residents of the house.
Personnel from the Ayala-Alabang Police SS5 arrested and brought the two to the Muntinlupa City Police Station.
Operatives from the Muntinlupa Police discovered that the two SAF personnel were based in Mindanao.
Mabuti is presently assigned at the 52nd Special Action Company Zamboanga and Valdez is assigned at the 55th Special Action Company Zamboanga.
The police said they were moonlighting as VIP security to a POGO personality. The two police officers said they are not rendering their official duties with their respective units, the NCRPO said.
Lieutenant Riza Soledad of the Muntinlupa Police said Mabuti and Valdez are currently under their custody and underwent inquest proceedings before the prosecutor’s office for the complaint of alarms and scandals.
They will also face administrative penalties for neglect of duty and misconduct for moonlighting and unauthorized provision of VIP security, the NCRPO added.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you concerned that there could be more police officers or even barangay tanods who could be secretly working as bodyguards of Chinese nationals or POGOs?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently Muntinlupa City hosted the 2024 edition of the Flavors of NCR food festival at the Filinvest City Central Park in Alabang and I personally witnessed the formal opening ceremony which involved many high-level officials and special guests. A lot of people visited the food festival on April 19 and 20 which added to the credibility of Filinvest City Central Park as a suitable open-air venue for special events.
For the newcomers reading this, Flavors of NCR is a special event presented by the Association of Tourism Officers – NCR which collaborated with the City Government of Muntinlupa for this year’s event. It is a showcase of unique cuisine found in the sixteen cities and one municipality of the National Capital Region (NCR). The local government units (LGUs) that participated include: Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, and the Municipality of Pateros.
Event launch
The ribbon cutting led by high officials that include Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano (3rd from left), Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon (3rd from right) and Department of Tourism-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin (2nd from left) to name a few.
The opening ceremony of Flavors of NCR 2024 was attended by Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Department of Tourism-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Association of Tourism Officers-NCR headed by Manila City Tourism chief Charlie Dungo, and Pasay City chief of staff Peter Eric Pardo. Also present were Muntinlupa Vice Mayor Temy Simundac and Muntinlupa City Council Raul Corro.
“We are delighted to host the Flavors of NCR,” Mayor Biazon stated during his welcome remarks to all the guests. “(We acknowledge) the presence of other cities here so that their products will be showcased and we are proud to have you here.”
Biazon stressed that hosting the Flavors of NCR opens up opportunities for Metro Manila’s LGUs and their respective food-and-beverage stakeholders access to the Calabarzon region composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon with a collective population of over sixteen million people.
It should be noted that the Alabang area of Muntinlupa is a popular destination for Calabarzon residents as well as those from nearby cities who enjoy shopping and recreational activities during the weekend. That being said, Flavors of NCR fits nicely with the weekend vibe at Filinvest City.
After the formal ribbon-cutting was done, Flavors of NCR 2024 officially opened and a lot of people and photographers followed Biazon and the guests visit the different food booths of each city.
Each LGU and their best
I visited and explored the designated areas (also referred to as “booths”) of each LGU during the food festival. Each area had a different style of interiors and layouts of food, drinks and other products being offered to visitors. There were also chairs and tables present for those who need to seat down and eat. Check out my raw YouTube videos plus pictures below…
Native delicacies on display for sale at the Las Piñas City booth.
Burger patties being cooked at the Mandaluyong City area.
Delicious halo-halo from Aling Consuelo Halo-Halo sa Ugbo. This was sold at P100 each.
Marikina City had four sellers that attracted customers during the food festival.
Drinks, dessert and other stuff offered to customers at the Las Piñas City booth.
As expected, the variety of food and drinks were really great. Offered to customers were chicken, beef, pork, siomai, barbeque, puto, bibingka, pansit, siopao, fried chicken, roasted pig, pastries, cakes, halo-halo and ice cream to name some. There were also non-food products being sold such as bags and accessories in some booths.
The Muntinlupa City area.
Sea food and other food items being sold at the Parañaque City booth.
Fried chicken being prepared for customers.
The best of Muntinlupa City offered to customers.
Food and bags for sale inside the booth of Malabon City.
It was really nice to see these small businesses represent their locality and offered their best products to visitors at Filinvest City Central Park. Adding zest to the food festival were some performances by different bands from the cities of NCR. There also was a modern dance activity that drew in lots of visitors which added to the customers at the food festival.
Conclusion
The 2024 edition of Flavors of NCR at Filinvest City Central Park was indeed a nice showcase of what each LGU had to offer for those who love food and drinks. In addition, this festival really emphasized unity between the local governments of NCR and it also promoted local tourism. The festival also attracted some residents of Filinvest City’s residential towers (plus others from Ayala Alabang, Palms Pointe Village and other residential communities) and some employees (who worked at offices near the park) whose shifts ended.
In the perspective of tourism, this event really boosted Filinvest City Central Park’s status as a venue for special events or activities. To date, the said park continues to be an attraction for visitors and already it has been used by organizers of sports events and musical events.
This was taken during Saturday night.
The successful staging of Flavors of NCR could inspire food festival organizers to have their events held within Filinvest City in the future.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: Were you able to attend Flavors of NCR at the central park in Filinvest City? If you did, how was your experience? Do you wish to see another food festival to be held at Filinvest City Central Park soon?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
For decades now, I have been living in Alabang and I witnessed how much Muntinlupa City modernized along the way. Bordering Barangay Ayala Alabang is Filinvest City (formerly called Filinvest Corporate City) which itself is home to several business or facilities such as the Filinvest Tent, Commercenter, Acacia Hotel Manila, Crimson Hotel, Westgate and, of course, the wildly popular place to be in – Festival Mall.
For the newcomers reading this, Festival Mall opened in May 1998 with its initial name Festival Supermall. Way back then, out of pure curiosity, I entered the mall for the first-time ever during its soft opening on May 1, 1998 (Labor Day here in the Philippines) as I was already looking for a new place and new discoveries at a time when I got tired of Alabang Town Center (ATC).
Being very new back then, Festival Mall’s presence of retailers or tenants was not yet dynamic as there were still businesses inside that could not open in time for the mall’s opening. I do remember walking down seeing lots of vacant retail spots covered with signs such as “opening soon”, “coming soon” and the like. Back in those days, the Philippine economy and society itself were dampened by the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.
As the months passed by, more businesses opened and Festival Mall’s early attractions include the X-Site Amusement Center (which already had the indoor roller coaster) and, of course, the brand new cinemas which had several screens operating at a very spacious area on the top floor. I still remember seeing lots of people lining up for tickets and seats to watch Armageddon which ended up as the highest grossing movie of the world in 1998.
Indeed, for more than a decade, Festival Mall’s original cinemas became a favorite destination of mine to watch movies in Alabang and I definitely was not alone. I also remember the times when the said cinemas attracted a whole lot of moviegoers when the annual Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) opening day (every December 25) happened resulting in long lines. Watch the YouTube videos below…
As you can see in the above videos, Festival Mall’s original cinemas was a hot spot for moviegoers. It should be noted that the mall is strategically located in close proximity to the Alabang Viaduct and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) which ensures visibility to motorists and accessibility to commuters on a daily basis. The old cinemas were also a hot spot for a variety of small businesses selling different kinds of food and drinks to moviegoers and others who just passed by.
Festival Mall at 25
This past May, Festival Mall turned 25 and its anniversary was highlighted with special events as well and publicity through the media. There were these Festival Mall 25th anniversary feature articles that got published in different newspapers almost simultaneously. In the commemorative article that got published in the Manila Bulletin, President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation Josephine Gotianun Yap was quoted which goes as follows in the excerpt below. Some parts in boldface…
“We would not be where we are today without the unwavering support of our customers, merchants, suppliers, and employees who have journeyed with us through the years. It is humbling to think that when we first opened the mall, we only had 30 stores and no anchor supermarket. But thousands of visitors came on our first day, attracted by our amusement centers, cinemas, and food court. And now the mall has 800 tenants and eight leading anchor stores. We value our collaboration with major retailers, which has enabled us to bring together SaveMore, Ace Hardware, Robinson’s Department Store, Handyman, Shopwise, H&M, Decathlon, and Landmark all under one roof. As we build on its strong foundations for the future, we see Festival Mall continuing to serve as a place where time stops for making memories with family and friends,”
As seen above, the Filinvest Development Corporation executive clearly referred to the original cinemas which was one of the early attractions of Festival Mall way back in 1998. As mentioned earlier, Festival Mall today has more modern cinemas located at the expanded area on the same floor but several meters away from the original cinemas. So how does Festival Mall’s original cinemas look like nowadays? Watch the video below…
Yes, indeed the mall’s original cinemas have turned depressing. There are much less customers who pass by the area and many of the businesses that operated within have closed down! As I personally found out, Festival Mall is still using a few screens at the old cinemas for moviegoers while leaving the many others closed and left in the dark. If you think about it carefully, what does the mall management have in mind with regards to all of those cinema seats, sound systems, projectors, screens and other pieces of equipment inside each and every closed screen of the original cinemas?
A closed screen at one end of the original cinemas of Festival Mall. Just imagine what is left of all the hardware (examples: projectors and speakers) and seats inside.
This was a premium place to watch movies at. It had more comfortable seats and better equipment that made the cinematic experience more immersive. It was here where I saw 2001’s Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
This is where I used to buy movie tickets for many years. For some time now, the selling of movie tickets here has stopped. To buy tickets, you have to go to the modern cinemas of the mall several meters away by foot at the same floor.
Apart from seeing more of the screens of the original cinemas closed down, the number of small-time businesses that sold different kinds of food and drinks are also gone which is depressing. Those businesses offered moviegoers different choices of what to eat or drink apart from the usual popcorn and drinks sold by the cinema’s concessionaires. I do remember a certain business joint that sold really good coffee (both hot and cold) that is also affordable.
There used to be different kinds of small business joints that sold a variety of food and drinks located on the floor spots at the original cinemas area. Those businesses have since closed down and left.
I remember the times I bought popcorn and drinks at this place before watching a movie. Now there are no food, no drinks and no people selling to customers anymore.
With the way things are right now, walking through the original cinemas area of Festival Mall is lonely and depressing to do. The area is almost lifeless and it easily is the saddest place inside the mall which itself has become a major attraction for shoppers and families. I can only wonder if Festival Mall’s management has any plan to revive the original cinemas area. Will they someday renovate at least a few of the screens and install brand new seats and other equipment to accommodate more moviegoers? Do they plan to attract new businesses to occupy the vacant commercial spaces and floor spaces near the old cinemas?
It would be nice to know if Festival Mall’s management or Filinvest itself has any plan to revive commerce at the original cinemas area which is now the saddest and loneliest part of the mall.
To be very clear with you all reading this, I never worked for a shopping mall nor have I ever worked in the movie theater business. I am a long-time resident of Alabang who often visits Festival Mall for purchasing needed items, dining and availing of services. Watching movies at Festival Mall used to be a big reason for me to spend time at the mall. I know for a fact that operating movie theaters is difficult and attracting people to watch movies on the big screen is tougher because of streaming. It does not help that the COVID-19 pandemic convinced people that watching new movies at home via streaming is the new standard which also made them think that movie theaters are unnecessary.
As a movie enthusiast, I can say out loud that watching a movie inside the cinema is still the best and most definitive way to enjoy watching. The movie theater experience can never be matched by streaming nor could the biggest HDTV at home could ever come close to the size and visual impact of a cinema screen. That being said, I can only hope that Festival Mall could someday revive the movie experience and commerce at their original cinemas area. They already have the modern cinemas at the expanded area but those are only 4 screens.
If you are living here in South Metro Manila and you have been to Festival Mall several times before, what do you think the mall management should do about their old cinemas? Is Festival Mall your favorite place to watch movies in? Do you think that hosting multiple film festivals – both foreign and domestic – each year would justify renovating the old cinemas of the mall?
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, more than four hundred people filed their respective certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the local Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to run in this October’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), according to a Manila Bulletin news report which also revealed the city has more than three hundred thousand voters for the barangay contests.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
A total of 405 candidates in nine barangays in Muntinlupa filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
“We welcome the participation of qualified Muntinlupeños who wish to lead the local communities through the exercise of our right to vote and through the democratic process. Likewise, we enjoin everyone to cooperate and work together to ensure this year’s polls are reliable, trustworthy, and peaceful,” said Mayor Ruffy Biazon.
Based on Comelec-Muntinlupa’s unofficial list, of the 405 candidates, 24 filed COCs for barangay chairman and 193 for barangay kagawad in Barangays Buli, Putatan, Bayanan, Poblacion, Tunasan, Alabang, Ayala Alabang, Cupang and Sucat.
In addition, 23 candidates filed for the position of SK chairperson and 165 for SK kagawad.
Of the nine barangays, the position of barangay chairman of Ayala Alabang is the only one that is uncontested.
There are 319,654 registered voters for the barangay election and 93,723 registered voters for the SK election in Muntinlupa, based on Comelec-Muntinlupa data.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a Muntinlupa resident, do you approve of the City Government’s distribution of school-related supplies to the local public school students?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, two women got arrested by police officers at the lobby of a certain hotel in Filinvest City in Alabang for allegedly swindling a local businesswoman, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. As of this writing, the money has yet to be recovered while the third suspect remains at large.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Two women were arrested by the police for allegedly swindling a businesswoman of P2.52 million in house rental fees in Muntinlupa.
The suspects, Christine Rose Almoete, 35, and Maria Teresa Loria, 40, were arrested by the Muntinlupa police on July 6 at a hotel lobby in Filinvest City, Barangay Alabang. Another suspect, Ricky Morales, remains at large and is being pursued by authorities.
The two were arrested based on a complaint by businesswoman Diane Grace Sy-Alvarado, 40 years, of Ayala Alabang Village.
According to the police, Sy-Alvarado had been in contact with Loria, who acted as her broker to the house she is presently renting on Batulao Street in Ayala Alabang Village.
Sy-Alvarado decided to transfer to another house also in the same village and asked for Loria’s help. Loria introduced Almoete to the complainant who offered a property allegedly owned by a certain Manuel Palaganas.
They agreed on a monthly rent of ₱180,000. To secure the contract, the complainant was instructed to provide a one-year security deposit amounting to P1,360,000 and a one-year advance payment of P1,160,000.
Sy-Alvarado gave cash amounting to P1.36 million and a bank check worth P1.16 million to the suspects’ colleague, Morales, for a total of P2.52 million.
But when she visited the property on Sarangani Street in Ayala Alabang Village, it turned out that the house was not available for rent.
She asked for help from the village security, which swiftly conducted a follow-up operation leading to the arrest of the suspects.
The transaction between the complainant and the suspects was witnessed by the complainant’s personal assistant, Rannie Pagdanganan.
The arresting officers, Emerson Acusar and Ernesto Obusan, from Bulldog Security Agency, carried out the operation with personnel from the Muntinlupa Police Sub-Station 5 (Ayala Alabang).
The P1.36 million cash and the bank check amounting to P1.16 million were not recovered.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that there could still be a lot of swindlers out there? Has anyone in your local community been swindled over the past twelve months within the city?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the City Government’s health office announced that the total active COVID-19 cases in the city fell down by 45.8%, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa City’s total active Covid-19 cases continued to decrease in the past two weeks, dipping below 100.
According to the City Health Office (CHO), as of June 5, Muntinlupa has 52 active Covid-19 cases, down by 44 cases or 45.8 percent, compared to 96 tallied as of May 29. The city had 114 active Covid-19 cases as of May 22.
Of the 52 active cases, 13 were recorded in Barangay Putatan, eight in Tunasan, seven each in Poblacion and Alabang, six in Ayala Alabang, four each in Cupang and Sucat, two in Bayanan and one in Buli.
In the past week, Muntinlupa tallied 105 new Covid-19 cases with the confirmed cases totaling 47,110 from 47,005. There were zero deaths in the past week while recoveries totaled 149 from 46,245 to 46,394. There are 13 probable cases in Muntinlupa as of June 5.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported on June 5 that there were 9,107 new Covid-19 cases nationwide from May 29 to June 4, down by 22 percent compared to the total from May 22 to 28.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you feel safer or more confident now that the number of active COVID-19 cases in the city went down sharply? Are there still lots of unvaccinated people in your local community right now?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the progressive city of Muntinlupa, local police personnel arrested a man (note: he worked as a driver) for the alleged theft of over P70 million worth of valuables from a foreigner who has been living in Ayala Alabang Village, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
A driver was arrested by the police after allegedly stealing at least P73.6 million worth of personal valuables, including a P50-million Richard Mille watch, from a Korean living in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa.
The Muntinlupa Police identified the suspect as Menard Soler, 37, a resident of San Francisco del Monte in Quezon City.
Soler was hired as a driver by victim Sungchan Hong, 46, a Korean businessman. The theft incident was discovered on March 26 at his house in Ayala Alabang Village.
The suspect was arrested by Muntinlupa police at a parking lot of a hotel in San Pedro, Laguna by virtue of a warrant of arrest for another theft he allegedly committed last year.
The warrant of arrest was issued by Presiding Judge Vladimir Berla Serohijos Daral of the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 165 with recommended bail of P10,000.
After Soler’s arrest, the police recovered P73.6 million worth of personal items that he allegedly took from the victim’s house. These include a Richard Mille wristwatch worth P50 million; one Rolex watch worth P2.5 million; AP watch, P3 million; a Cartier bracelet, P1 million; five pieces of Gold Trump playing cards, P10 million; a Dragon bracelet, P1 million; a Dupont lighter, P500,000; four G-Shock watches, P80,000; a gold dragon figurine, P2 million; two gold watches, P3 million; a silver watch, P500,000; and an Apple watch, P50,000.
The police said Soler put the valuables inside a bag and left using the victim’s Range Rover vehicle.
Soler is now detained at the Muntinlupa Police custodial facility pending the issuance of a commitment order from the court.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that there could be others like the reported suspect who might be targeting the foreign residents of your local community?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Author Carlo Carrasco 