This past weekend, the City Government of Las Piñas announced the good news that they won two awards for efficient healthcare programs as well as outstanding financial compliance related to the utilization of funding from the Department of Health (DOH).
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…
Local Government Officials of Las Piñas City gather at the 35th Anniversary of the Department of Health Metro Manila Center for Health Development and the recognition ceremony of cities with high quality of service.
The City of Las Piñas was given recognition for its outstanding financial compliance in efficiently utilizing DOH’s funding and its prompt and correct liquidation.
Las Piñas was also awarded a plaque of appreciation for its support for different healthcare programs providing equitable access to quality and affordable health care goods and services in accordance with universal health care.
Present at the event were City Vice Mayor April Aguilar and several doctors of the City Health Office headed by OIC Health Officer Dr. Juliana Gonzales.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this recent achievement by the City Government? Do the awards convince you that the City Government is truly disciplined and working efficiently on serving the constituents?
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, Mayor Ruffy Biazon delivered his highly anticipated first 100 days report which the Manila Bulletin reported. His report presented the achievements and developments in a categorized manner. Subsequently, the City Government posted on its official Facebook page digital copies of the mayor’s speech.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon reported what his administration has accomplished in the first 100 days in office.
“It’s hard to believe that it has been 100 days since I took my oath of office and talked about my vision and aspirations for Muntinlupa,” he said in a speech on Oct. 14.
Since assuming office on July 1, Biazon said he has signed 37 executive orders.
Biazon came up with 7K Agenda (Kabuhayan, Kalusugan, Karunungan, Kapayapaan at Kaayusan, Kaunlaran, Kalikasan at Katarungan), the priority areas of his administration.
“Among the seven K, our priorities are Kabuhayan [Livelihood], Kalusugan [Health], and Karunungan [Education] that are important parts in bouncing back from the crisis brought about by the pandemic. Those three agendas are what we call the Pandemic Recovery Program,” he said.
Health
Biazon said under his administration, he stepped up the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Muntinlupa.
As of Oct. 5, Muntinlupa 125.2 percent of the target population have been fully vaccinated and 49.35 percent of them have received at least one booster shot. In total, 1.24 million vaccines have been administered in the city, he said.
Under the PinasLakas vaccination campaign, the Muntinlupa City government has reached out to 20 private companies, eight private schools and 21 homeowners associations.
Biazon also focused on improving services and facilities at the city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa. A waiting area was built for the companions of patients, who are currently not allowed to stay in rooms due to Covid-19 protocols. An urban garden was also built at the hospital for frontline healthcare workers. He said the new building at the hospital, constructed through the cooperation between him and Rep. Jaime Fresnedi, will soon be opened.
A “Super Health Center” will be established at the Barangay Putatan Main Health Center that will offer more services and longer operating hours.
Livelihood
Under Biazon’s administration, 172 micro-entrepreneurs have availed of P3.89 million zero percent interest loans through the Tulong Negosyo-Dagdag Puhunan Program.
Through online and Mega Job Fairs, the city government has offered 9,373 job vacancies and given referrals to 3,317 applicants.
A total of 1,468 disadvantaged workers were given temporary employment under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
In addition, the SMILE Munti or Support Muntinlupa Industries and Local Entrepreneurs was launched to help promote small and new businesses in the city.
Education
The national government ordered the return of face-to-face classes. Biazon said in Muntinlupa, the “Ready & Safe” face-to-face classes in public and private schools were implemented ensuring that schools were ready to accept students.
The city government currently has 82,442 scholars and educational assistance beneficiaries.
Recently, the College of Medicine of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and Ospital ng Muntinlupa was opened to become the first medical school in the city. The mayor said a scholarship grant of P100,000 per year will be given to each qualified beneficiary of the College of Medicine.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to the mayor’s first 100 days report? Do you think the city is headed towards the right direction? Under the new administration, do you think the City Government’s services have improved?
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 its newest effort on controlling traffic flow and improving safety inside its village, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA)announced recently that new rotunda traffic and road signs pertaining to the rotundas will be implemented soon.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the AHVA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…
As you must have noticed, a few weeks ago we started putting up new road signs for the proper management of rotunda traffic. We have personally observed, and some of us have been involved in, near-misses because of motorists who do not slow down, or worse, do not yield to rotunda traffic when they should.
In view of these incidences, we have decided to adopt international/LTO regulations governing the use of rotundas. We have also adopted international road signs for the management of traffic in rotundas and, have made modifications to these road signs to make them more explicit and direct, knowing that many drivers in the country do not know how to drive when approaching or when in a rotunda. FYI, the correct, international/LTO action for drivers to take when approaching a rotunda is to YIELD TO VEHICLES ALREADY IN THE ROTUNDA. It is NOT to make a full stop. YIELDING MAY REQUIRE ONE TO MAKE A FULL STOP, but it is not a requirement to make a full stop when there are no vehicles in the rotunda.
Note: pedestrians ALWAYS have right of way over any vehicle.
More road signs, including signs painted on roads, will be added in the coming weeks. Where applicable, previous “FULL STOP” signs painted on roads at rotundas will be replaced by painted “YIELD” signs.
On Friday last week, the Security Force, led by Board Director Admiral Rommel Galang, conducted a lecture among village tricycle drivers on the rules and etiquette of rotunda driving. More approaches to educate residents and non-residents will be implemented in the future.
Once all the road signs are complete and in place, we will issue a bulletin officially announcing our new rotunda traffic regulations. Seven (7) days after these new rotunda regulations are announced, we will begin strict enforcement of the regulations.
For the newcomers reading this, Alabang Hills Village in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City has rotundas within its territory. Anyone coming into the village from Tirona street of BF Homes subdivision will see a rotunda immediately (Don Manolo Boulevard corner Don Jesus Boulevard) just past the shared AHVA-BF Homes gate. It should be noted that the AHVA implemented new traffic measures this past August and they are implementing new speed bumps lately. Their revived Megarahe Sale attracted a lot of people.
For inquiries about this new development, visit https://alabanghillsvillage.com/ or call them at 88508254. You can visit their office at 1 Don Jesus Boulevard inside Alabang Hills Village from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Always remember to follow their rules and speed limits whenever you are in the village. Be aware also of the recent in-village traffic adjustments.
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 Kalingang Munti Action Center (KMAC) was formally launched recently at City Hall with the presence of Mayor Ruffy Biazon and many other local officials, the Manila Bulletin reported. The KMAC was described as a one-stop shop for the public in availing of frontline services and it was the fulfillment of the first executive order signed by the Mayor.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Several local officials led by Mayor Ruffy Biazon attended the inauguration of the KMAC at City Hall. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon launched on Monday, Oct. 10, the Kalingang Munti Action Center (KMAC), a one-stop shop for the public in availing of frontline services.
On his first day in office on July 1, Biazon signed his first executive order creating the KMAC.
The center will serve people who are availing of medical, financial, and burial assistance.
A total of 106 persons were served by the center on the first day of operations.
Biazon said through KMAC, people no longer need to go from one city hall department to another for services.
“Mas pinadali ang proseso para mas mabilis ding matatanggap ng ating kababayan ang tulong (The process has been simplified so our citizens can receive help faster),” said the mayor.
He added that with KMAC, the city government will have information and a database on indigents in Muntinlupa that will result in the efficient use of resources.
“Matiyak natin na yung talagang nangangailangan ay nabibigyan (This will ensure that those who are in need will be given assistance),” he added.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? If you need to avail of assistance at Muntinlupa City Hall, would you plan to visit the KMAC first?
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
The arrest of foreign fugitives in Parañaque City (for reference, click here, here and here) has been going on for some time now. Recently, a fugitive from South Korea was arrested in Barangay BF Homes in Parañaque which, according to a Manila Standard news report, happened on September 21, 2022 and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) only confirmed it and talked about it lately. The report described the place of arrest as “BF Tahanan Village” which is a loose reference to Tahanan Village.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Standard news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Sunday announced the arrest of a South Korean fugitive wanted by authorities in Seoul for involvement in a multi-million telecommunications fraud case.
In a report to Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU) identified the fugitive as 33-year-old Lee Won Ho, who was arrested last Sept. 21 at his residence in BF Tahanan Village, Parañaque City.
The FSU operatives who arrested Lee were armed with a warrant of deportation issued pursuant to a summary deportation order that the bureau’s board of commissioners issued against the Korean in four years ago.
Tansingco said Lee will be deported immediately and that the latter was already placed in the immigration blacklist to prevent him from re-entering the country.
“He is an undesirable alien whose presence here poses a serious risk to public interest,” Tansingco said. “Thus, he should be perpetually barred from entering the Philippines.”
BI-FSU acting chief Rendell Ryan Sy said the Korean was issued an arrest warrant by the Incheon district court in Seoul, Korea where he was indicted for Fraud and that the latter’s passport was already revoked.
Lee was tagged as a high-ranking member of the so-called Minju Family, a big-time telecom fraud syndicate allegedly operating in Manila.
Sy said the syndicate is suspected of having defrauded over USD21 million from their Korean victims based overseas.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Parañaque City resident, what can you say about this latest crime-related news? Do you think that Parañaque still has lots of foreign fugitives living somewhere among the many villages or private subdivisions? Are you concerned that a foreign fugitive could be living next door to you?
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
Whatever residential community you travel in, always watch your speed, follow the local traffic rules and always be mindful of the pedestrians and vehicles near you. This is an old lesson that needs to be remembered again as the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA)announced recently that it has started the installation of additional speed bumps inside their village with safety in mind.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the AHVA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…
Today we have begun to install additional speed bumps in an effort to make our roads safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Since we took over in mid-March this year, we have noticed that many motorists, both residents and non-residents, do not slow down at certain intersections and instead barrel down the road endangering not only themselves but other motorists as well. They particularly endanger cyclists and pedestrians, most especially children. We have personally observed many near-misses. This has to stop. We ask all motorists to observe all the speed bumps and all road and traffic signs. VIOLATORS WILL BE APPREHENDED AND FINED.
We also request all cyclists to also slow down at intersections and blind curves. By not doing so, you are not only endangering your lives but also the lives of those that you may hit. Many near-misses have also been reported to us.
The new/additional speed bumps installed today are at the following intersections: • Angeles St. corner Angeles St. • Toledo St. corner Tagaytay St. • Doña Ines St. corner Tacloban St.
For the newcomers reading this, Alabang Hills Village in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City is not just a major residential community but also home to churches, San Beda College Alabang and a cluster of town homes as well. It is also an essential place to pass through for residents of Barangay BF Homes and BF Homes subdivision (who have valid vehicular stickers and bicycle/motorcycle stickersissued by the AHVA) who wish to reach the Alabang area without traveling along Concha Cruz Drive.
For inquiries about this new development, visit https://alabanghillsvillage.com/ or call them at 88508254. You can visit their office at 1 Don Jesus Boulevard inside Alabang Hills Village from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Always remember to follow their rules and speed limits whenever you are in the village. Be aware also of the recent in-village traffic adjustments.
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 City of Las Piñas, the City Government announced through its official Facebook page that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) set a new and much bigger reward for those who could provide information needed to identify and apprehend a person-of-interest (note: the gunman) wanted by the local authorities for the tragic killing of a radio broadcaster that happened on October 3 in the city. Previously the reward was set at P1.5 million.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Facebook post. Some parts in boldface…
The National Capital Region Police Office has announced a new reward of P6.5 million on any information that will lead to the identification and eventual arrest of the alleged gunman in the murder case of radio journalist Percy Lapid.
Any information concerning the case’s person of interest may be reported to the following contact details:
Cellphone: 0947 462 2859 or 0998 598 7928
Landline: 8808 7935 or 8525 8403
For added insight, posted below is the digital copy of the wanted poster…
Share this to others.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? With the reward now much bigger than before, are you more motivated to help the local authorities find the alleged gunman?
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
There is a need for us to behave ourselves and watch out backs not only in the real world but also online. I say this because the Philippine News Agency (PNA) recently reported the news of a gamer who got arrested by the Anti-Cybercrime team of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for violating key parts of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The arrest happened in Quezon City.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…
A man was arrested for sexually exploiting a 14-year-old girl whom he met while playing an online game, the Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) reported on Friday.
In a statement, ACG chief Brig. Gen. Joel Doria said 35-year-old suspect Estelito Gibaga Jr. was nabbed by members of the Quezon City District Anti-Cybercrime Team (QCDACT) inside a motel located at West Point Street, E. Rodriguez Avenue on Thursday.
Based on the report submitted by QCDACT officer in charge Lt. Michael Bernardo, Gibaga met the victim, a Grade 9 student, in a public chat of an online game where both of them were players.
After a series of conversations, they shifted the conversation to “Snap Chat” and Facebook Messenger wherein they subsequently had a “virtual” romantic relationship.
During this time, the suspect allegedly sent the victim obscene photos of “himself” and asked the victim to do the same.
Bernardo said on September 6, the mother of the victim saw her daughter chatting with the suspect in the middle of the night.
When she saw the exchange of conversations between the two, she was shocked and confronted her daughter. This was when the minor admitted to her that she is being lured by the suspect into doing obscene things.
Bernardo said on September 16, the victim and her mother appeared at the office of QCDACT to lodge a complaint against the suspect, which resulted in the planning of an entrapment operation to catch him.
On Thursday, the mother and the victim reported back to QCDACT and informed the office that the suspect and the minor would meet up to watch a movie at a mall.
This prompted the Anti-Cybercrime Team to prepare an entrapment operation.
“When the suspect and the victim met at the Gateway entrance, they went to McDonald’s to take out snacks and headed to Guess Hotel. After entering the room, we lost no time in apprehending the suspect,” Bernardo said.
Doria, meanwhile, advised parents to keep a tight watch on the online activities of their children.
“Sexual predators are everywhere, even on online games,” he said.
The above article ended stating that the suspect will be charged for violating the following provisions of Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012: Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, and Article 286 (Grave Coercion).
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Are you convinced that there are a lot of sexual predators and undesirable elements among the many users of the Internet and social media?
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
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
Police investigators already have a person of interest in the October 3 killing of radio broadcaster Percival Mabasa, or more popularly known as Percy Lapid, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Friday.
At a press briefing, NCRPO chief Police Brigadier General Jonnel Estomo said the person of interest was captured by CCTV cameras from along Lapid’s routes moments before he was shot dead.
“The Special Investigation Task Force Percy Lapid, with their ongoing follow-up investigation, confirmed to have developed a person of interest in the case as a result of their collection of all available backtrack CCTV footage along the victim’s routes before the incident happened,” Estomo said.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, who was also in the briefing, presented an enlarged printout of the person of interest, whose identity is still unknown.
“Importanteng ma-identify natin ang taong ito [it is important to identify this person],” Abalos said.
Estomo also announced that the reward money being offered to fast-track the resolution of the case has been increased from P500,000 to P1.5 million.
Estomo also said the additional cash reward came from “friends of the victim and concerned citizens.”
“Our very own SILG said that we are offering this reward to anyone who can provide information that will lead to the speedy resolution of this case,” Estomo said, referring to Abalos, who offered the initial P500,000 reward from his own pocket.
Estomo said the police are guaranteeing the safety and security of the informant.
Abalos, meanwhile, expressed confidence that with the reward money and the person’s picture released to the public, the person of interest would be identified soon and that it would be better for him to just surrender.
“Marami nang nakakaalam sa iyo, marami nang magsusumbong. Siguro sumuko ka na. Napakaimportante na sumuko ka na sapagkat pag-isipan mo, ‘yung mga nag-utos sa ‘yo baka may masamang gawin sa ‘yo,” Abalos said, addressing the person on the picture.
(A lot of people already know you and they may reach out to us. So perhaps you should surrender. It’s important that you surrender before whoever ordered you to commit the crime do something bad to you.)
Lapid, host of online broadcast program “Percy Lapid Fire” at DWBL 1242 and columnist for Hataw, was shot dead by two men while on his way home in Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City on the night of October 3.
Malacañang earlier said President Marcos is “concerned” over the killing of Lapid.
Meanwhile, the family of the slain broadcast journalist appealed to Marcos Jr. to lead the investigation into the killing.
Interviewed on Unang Balita, Roy Mabasa, Lapid’s brother, said the President leading the investigation may put a stop to the killing of journalists “once and for all.”
“Nais kong manawagan sa Pangulo na sana ay pangunahan itong imbestigasyon. Dahil bakit ba natin gusto na ang Pangulo ang nasa unahan nito? Para matigil na once and for all ang killings sa mga journalist,” he said.
(I want to appeal to the President to hopefully lead the investigation. Why? So that for once and for all the killing of journalists will stop.)
For added insight, watch the news videos below…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Did the recent killing make you feel uneasy? Are you willing to help the authorities identify and find the person-of-interest so that the case will be resolved?
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
A gang of kidnappers whose members were described as transgendered people got busted by the personnel of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) as a result of a joint operation with the Anti-Kidnapping Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and some military personnel, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news report. The gang referred to as Warla had victimized more than ten people (including one victim in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City according to a Philippine Star news report) and they collected millions of Pesos worth of ransom money for the purpose of sex reassignment surgery (AKA sex change) for themselves.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…
Members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) dismantled a kidnapping syndicate whose members are transgenders.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday, CIDG director Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee identified the suspects as Francis Villa, Lawrenza Lingo, Johnas Belonio, Bernard Torres and Mark Joseph Pelonio, all members of the “Warla” kidnapping group.
They were nabbed in a joint operation with the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, National Capital Region Police Office and military troops on Oct. 1.
Lee said the modus of the group is to lure victims from dating apps and sites to meet up with their good-looking members.
Once abducted, the victims are brought to their safehouse and the suspects demand money from them in exchange for their release.
After receiving the ransom, the suspects drop off the victims in random places around Metro Manila.
The group is said to be operating in the southern part of Metro Manila, specifically in Parañaque, Pasay, Taguig, and Makati and has victimized around 14 persons.
They were able to collect total ransom money amounting to PHP4.2 million which will be used for their sex reassignment surgery or “sex change”.
Lee said the group was made known to the police after Taiwanese victim Michael Lee was rescued on Sept. 7 in Parañaque City, after he was abducted on Sept. 3.
The kidnapping group demanded a sum of money from the victim’s friends in exchange for his freedom. The victim’s friends were able to send money to five different digital wallets reaching a total of PHP308,000.
“For the longest time that I have been in anti-kidnapping operations, this is the first time we have encountered this group of transgenders who have already victimized 14 people. We are still backtracking to find out who they are and fortunately, Michael Lee complained and sought the help of the Taiwan police so that was the breakthrough in this case,” Lee said in Filipino.
Lee said the kidnapping group is led by a certain Mikey Ebol, a.k.a Mike Collado Ebol, who is now hiding.
After trailing transactions of the group, the police located four other suspects who had already surrendered — Dewie Shaine Collado Garcia, Charlemagne Olunan Vargas and Christian Paredes.
In their statements, they said the SIM (subscriber identity module) cards they owned were bought by Ebol.
During the investigation, Lee said the group was formed in 2018.
Col. Hansel Marantan, CIDG National Capital Region field unit director, said the name of the group was coined from the gay lingo “warlalu” which means “let’s get it on, let’s go to war”.
“They will post themselves as beautiful women on Facebook to lure their prey. And that’s it, once the victims are kidnapped, they will start negotiations like asking for PHP500,000 and the span of negotiations is very short. It takes only about three to four days and they use GCash as an avenue for the collection of money which is very hard to trace,” he added.
Further probe revealed that the group is involved in the illegal sale of firearms.
The PNP-AKG filed kidnapping charges against Ebol and his cohorts before the Department of Justice on Sept. 12.
Meanwhile, continuous manhunt operations are being conducted to track the whereabouts of Ebol, and his other members Lexi Villanueva, Jaine Martinez, Hector Magallanes a.k.a. “Yanyan”, Erwin Flores a.k.a. “Marga”, and Matthew San Diego.
As mentioned earlier, one of the victims was abducted in Parañaque City – specifically in Barangay BF Homes – on September 3 before getting rescued a few days later. The Philippine Star noted this in its own report. Posted below is an excerpt from the report. Some parts in boldface…
Three of the suspects – Dewie Shaine Garcia, Charlemagne Vargas and Christian Paredes – surrendered to police after they were found to be connected to the kidnapping of 58-year-old Taiwanese businessman Michael Lee in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque on Sept. 3. He was rescued last Sept. 7.
Unfortunately, the Philippine Star report did not specify where exactly in Barangay BF Homes did the kidnapping happen. Right now the local authorities and their investigators are trying to figure out what exactly happened and what resources the kidnappers had.
This newest development should serve as a warning to all those who use dating sites or dating apps. There is the need to be cautious when interacting with someone through an online dating source. It is bad enough that there are lots of scammers here in the Philippines who try to lure people through text messaging and social media to get their money.
For added insight, watch the following news videos below…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about these new developments? Are you concerned that you may have interacted with kidnappers pretending to be attractive individuals on dating sites or dating apps? Do these events make you afraid of online dating? Do you think your local community could be easily infiltrated by kidnap-for-ransom gang members?
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 