In Parañaque City, a recent buy-bust operation organized by local law enforcers resulted in the apprehension of four drug pushers as well the confiscation of illegal drugs and a weapon with live ammunition, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Four drug pushers identified as high value individual (HVI) and street level individuals (SLI) were arrested during a buy-bust operation conducted by members of the Southern Police District (SPD)- Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) on Wednesday, May 4.
SPD Director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg identified the suspects as Nor Fajad Mulod Utto, 21, listed as HVI; Edmund Agduma, 32; Jerome Villaneda Callo, 32; and Anthony Deto, 37; listed as SLI, all residents of Parañaque City.
Macaraeg said the suspects were arrested at about 11:30 p.m. along Silverios Compound, Barangay San Isidro by members of the SPD-DEU in coordination with members of the Parañaque City police Sub-Station 4.
He said the operating teams were able to confiscate from the suspects 30.7 grams of shabu worth P208,760 and one .45 caliber pistol loaded with seven live ammunition.
The SPD chief said the confiscated shabu was brought to the SPD Forensic Unit for chemical analysis and the firearm for ballistic examination.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, what is your reaction to this report? Who do you think is the master of the arrested 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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
When I arrived in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone just a day before the 2022 Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) took place, I was very hungry as I left home very early without any breakfast and I was not able to stop at any of the gas stations (and their respective food joints) along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) as we took the counter-flow going north.
After settling at a hotel in close proximity to the triathlon venue, I drove to the one restaurant located at the Argonaut Highway-Rizal Highway corner that I’ve been eager to revisit…Gourmet Garage Subic (social media here and here).
The front of Gourmet Garage Subic!
Coming from the parking area of the business establishment, I entered Gourmet Garage Subic through the rear door and immediately I felt this atmosphere of class with classical music being played as I walked on and recognized their fine interior. It was a very welcoming experience and already there were people enjoying their lunch.
As I was pretty hungry and somewhat worn down by the long drive from Metro Manila, I ordered myself a Caesar (their version of Caesar’s salad) to enjoy something fresh. From the restaurant’s Main Event section of the menu, I chose the Lamb Madras Curry.
While waiting for my orders to be served, I took the time relaxing, enjoying the aircon and the continuous music, looked at the products displayed and browsed the web with my smartphone via Wifi. And then just like that, the waitress served me the Caesar which was faster than I expected. Upon seeing the salad placed in front of me, I was impressed with the way it was presented. There was some food art to it visually.
The Caesar of Gourmet Garage.
A closer look.
The Caesar was prepared with really fresh romaine lettuce topped (on a key portion) with Gourmet Garage Subic’s very own dressing mixed with parmesan shavings and bits of bacon. Right from the first bite of the salad (note: I used the fork and knife to cut myself a portion) that had the lettuce and dressing together, I experienced this very flavorful and pleasing taste! It was very delicious, I went on to cut portions of the Caesar and slowly consumed it along with the bits. I really enjoyed the salad as it was prepared by the cook to be flavorful, fresh and very satisfying! Gourmet Garage Subic’s Caesar is easily the best fresh salad I’ve had in a long time!
Just a few minutes after I was done with the salad, the Lamb Madras Curry was served to me. Right from the start, I noticed it was very well presented and the subtle heat I felt from it showed the lamb was newly cooked. I also liked the pleasing smell of the meal.
The Lamb Madras Curry was so nicely prepared and it tasted great!
The Lamb Madras Curry came with basmati rice on the bottom topped with the finely cooked lamb (itself topped with yogurt plus onion pieces and vegetables). On one side was a small tomato with a roasted onion and other onion pieces. The other side had more leaves. The meal was served with two sauces – garlic and chili.
As a first-timer of this particular meal – noted as a Chef’s Recommendation on Gourmet Garage’s menu – I decided to try out a small piece of the lamb without any yogurt on it and I found to be tasty on its own. There is no doubt that the lamb pieces were very finely cooked and the way it was prepared showed that special attention to details was done by the cook.
A piece of lamb by the fork.
I tried another piece of lamb and dipped it on the garlic sauce. The flavor of the said piece was enhanced by the said sauce as I chewed. I can say also say the same about the lamb pieces with yogurt on them. As for the spice level, I can say it is tolerable (pretty mild to be precise) and I never had a problem moving from one bite to another, also consuming the rice (really fragrant) and the vegetables. Along the way, I managed to cut some pieces of lamb placed on the fork along with the vegetable for that meat-and-veggies taste.
The Lamb Madras Curry from the side.
Every bite I had with the Lamb Madras Curry really had great flavor and big satisfaction. It is so great, this is easily the best lamb meal I had in years! Whoever designed the Lamb Madras Curry knew exactly how to ensure great taste, solid satisfaction and freshness (in terms of vegetables prepared and the cooking of the meat)!
Gourmet Garage Subic’s Caesar and Lamb Madras Curry are both highly recommended to all of you who love food! Make sure you try either of them once you visit the restaurant.
Apart from serving meals, drinks and desserts for diners, Gourmet Garage Subic also has a nice selection of imported products for your home consumption. On display for sale were lots of bottles of fine wine, fruit juices, frozen meat, condiments, snacks, pastry and other good products to take home! They also sell fresh bread products.
Looking for a new bottle of wine to buy? So many to choose here!
Bread and pastry offered.
Drinks, snacks, condiments and other nice products on display.
As mentioned in my past article, Gourmet Garage Subic also caters. Through their website, customers can also order Gourmet-in-a-Box (meals by the tray) and Party Trays (varied types of food with parties in mind). There is something that will surely interest you when it comes to good food! That being said, I urge you to check out Gourmet Garage’s website as well as their presence on Instagram and Facebook.
This is a great place to have your picture taken inside Gourmet Garage Subic!
The next time you visit Funtastic Subic Bay, I highly recommend you visit Gourmet Garage Subic at 1143 Argonaut Street (very near the Starbucks Coffee shop there) for very good food with your family, friends or business associates. On my next visit to Subic Bay, I’ll definitely come back to try their other meals.
Let me end this piece with the following holy scripture…
Whether you eat or drink, live your life in a way that glorifies and honors God.
In the City of Las Piñas, Mayor Imelda Aguilar made clear that patients – initially the immunocompromised – who need a 2nd booster for COVID-19 can walk-in at their local vaccination sites, the Manila Bulletin reported. If you are a local resident who is immunocompromised and you have already received one booster shot (or 3rd shot following two doses of most COVID-19 vaccines) previously, then you must pay close attention to the details here.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar has announced that the city government is now accepting walk-ins for the second booster shot of immunocompromised individuals.
Aguilar reminded those 18 years old and above who are immunocompromised individuals to bring their original vaccinations card that indicates the primary series and booster dose given to them at least three months prior.
She said those who will be receiving their second booster shot can visit SM Center and Southmall from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon; Villar Sipag Hall from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.; Village Square and Robinsons Mall from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta’s covered court from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The mayor said those who have not received their first and second doses against the Covid-19 can also visit the identified vaccination sites by the city government or visit the Las Piñas Facebook page to determine the schedules of vaccination.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident who was successfully boosted previously for COVID-19, how long has it been since you received it? Are you located near a vaccination site that accepts patients for the 2nd booster shot?
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
Colegio de Muntinlupa (CDM) celebrates its feat in the recent Registered Master Electrician (RME) licensure examination as one of its students has placed 6th in the overall ranking, and for clinching a passing rate of 100%.
The April 2022 RME is the first licensure exam that CDM has participated in since its establishment last 2018. The RME passers from CDM are Arvin Tolentino (Rank 6), Dennis Mañozo and Joshua James Racelis.
The Registered Master Electrician licensure exam was conducted on April 26-28 at testing centers in NCR, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Koronadal, Legaspi, Lucena, Pagadian, Pampanga, Rosales, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi congratulates CDM’s first batch of Registered Master Electricians for the honor that they have given to the City.
He said that the students’ achievement is a testament that the local government’s investment to the residents’ education is “money well spent.”
Along with scholarship programs, Fresnedi administration has realized the establishment of Colegio de Muntinlupa which aims to provide top-notch education on engineering and science & technology for Muntinlupa students and residents from nearby cities.
CDM College Administrator and former DOST-NCR regional director Dr. Teresita Fortuna noted that the results in the recent RME exam will serve as an inspiration for the institution to continually provide outstanding training and support to the students to help them become industry-ready.
Fortuna added that institution prides itself in their quality training on science & technology from highly-esteemed faculty and facilities with top-of-the-line industrial equipment.
Recently, CDM announced that it will offer the following new programs: BS Architecture, BS Construction Engineering and Management, BS Environmental Engineering, BS Industrial Engineering, and BS Robotics Engineering.
The programs are in addition to the existing engineering courses: BS Civil Engineering, BS Computer Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering, BS Electronics Engineering, and BS Mechanical Engineering.
Situated in Posadas Avenue in Barangay Sucat, Colegio de Muntinlupa was founded with five initial engineering courses. CDM will hold its first commencement exercise this year for the first batch of graduates.
The Colegio de Muntinlupa (CDM) building. (photo source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Through City Ordinance No. 2022-310 (ISKOLEGIO), the local government of Muntinlupa also offers scholarship and financial assistance to city residents who are students and alumni of CDM:
Financial Assistance Grant for Academically Outstanding Students (FAGOS)
CDM-Student Leaders Financial Assistance Program (CDM-SLFA)
Financial Assistance Program for CDM Board Licensure Examination Review (CDM-BLER)
Under the CDM-FAGOS category, students whose general weighted average meet the guidelines shall receive a financial grant from 5,000 – 10,000 pesos. For CDM-SLFA, all qualified members of the CDM-Supreme Student Council shall be granted monetary assistance with respect to their position in the organization. While for CDM-BLER, students who have earned their degree from CDM may qualify for the program and be eligible for the funding of board licensure examination review.
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
With the 2022 National and Local Elections all set to happen on May 9, several vote counting machines (VCMs) and ballot boxes were distributed to the many polling centers in different barangays around Muntinlupa City, the Manila Bulletin reported.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Vote counting machines (VCMs) and ballot boxes for the May 9 national and local elections were delivered to different polling centers in nine barangays in Muntinlupa on Tuesday, May 3.
Personnel from the Office of the City Treasurer, together with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of Education (DepEd), delivered VCMs and ballot boxes for 432 clustered precincts located mostly in schools.
On May 4, the final testing and sealing of VCMs are scheduled to be held in polling centers in Barangays Putatan, Bayanan, Poblacion, Tunasan, Alabang, Ayala Alabang, Buli, Cupang, and Sucat.
Muntinlupa has a total of 311,750 registered voters.
The above article ended stating polling centers located in schools and villages are as follows: Putatan Elem. School, Lakeview Elem. School, F. De Mesa Elem. School, Soldiers Hills Elem. School, Bayanan Elem. School-Unit 1, Bayanan Elem. School-Main, Muntinlupa Elem. School, Itaas Elem. School-Main, Muntinlupa National High School, Itaas Elem. School-Annex, Sto. Nino Village Covered Court, Tunasan Elem. School, Villa Carolina 2 Covered Court, JPA Subdivision Covered Court, Lodora Village Covered Court, Victoria Homes Elem. School, Villa Carolina 1 Covered Court, Park Homes Covered Court, Alabang Elem. School, Pedro E. Diaz High School, San Jose Village Clubhouse, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Buli Elem. School, Cupang Elem. School, San Beda College, Sucat Elem. School, Posadas Village Clubhouse and Bagong Silang Elem. School
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, are you going to vote in the elections on May 9? If you will vote that day, have you done your personal research as to which candidates to vote for?
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 City of Parañaque, four Chinese nationals were successfully rescued by the local police and the people who previously detailed them were arrested, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the most recent report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Four Chinese nationals, who were detained by their two fellow citizens and an (Indonesian) in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) office, were rescued by police operatives in Parañaque City on Thursday, April 28.
Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Southern Police District (SPD) director, identified the rescued victims as Zhang Dedi, 26; Mo Jun Feng, 33; Chen Shi Ying, 25; and Huang Zhi Ping, 32.
Macaraeg said the suspects — Henry Saputra, 33, an Indonesian; Jacky Chen, 25, and Luo Bo, 26, female, both Chinese nationals — were arrested during the operation.
He said police investigators are still checking the real identities of the suspects as they believe that they are only using fictitious names.
The SPD chief said the victims were rescued at about 11:30 p.m. inside the First Great Palace Technologies at Pascor Drive, Barangay Santo Niño, Parañaque City.
Macaraeg said members of the Parañaque City Police launched the rescue operation after the live-in partner of Dedi, Yellah Monares, asked for police assistance and reported that the victim had been missing since March 31, this year.
Monares also told police that Dedi was able to call her, informing her that he was detained at a POGO office and forced to work without salary.
“Despite our warning, foreign nationals continue to get involved in unlawful detention incidents. It is high time that we strengthen collaboration with our foreign agency counterparts and intensify our intelligence gathering to diminish these scheming plans and address kidnapping/illegal detention incidents and other forms of lawlessness, particularly victimizing their compatriots,” Macaraeg said.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this latest news development? Do you believe it is time for local authorities to investigate each and every POGO office within Parañaque to find out if people were forcibly detained by those who deliberately commit unlawful detention?
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
If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City who has been boosted for COVID-19 and many months have passed since then, be aware that the rollout of 2nd booster shots is ongoing within the city (starting with the immunocompromised patients with the other types of patients to follow), according to the Manila Bulletin. Now is a good time to contact the local authorities or the local vaccination sites (MunCoVac) to find out if a 2nd booster shot is available for you.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Muntinlupa City government has started giving second booster shots on April 26 to immunocompromised people.
Data from the City Health Office showed that 14 people were vaccinated with the second booster shot on the first day.
Of the 14, four were in Barangay Alabang, three each in Cupang, Putatan and Tunasan, and one in Poblacion.
As of April 26, a total of 128,361 fully vaccinated individuals have received their first booster shots in Muntinlupa.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued on April 13 the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approving the second Covid-19 vaccine booster shot to senior citizens, immunocompromised people and frontline healthcare workers.
According to the Department of Health (DOH)), the second booster shot is being given “in cognizance of current evidence of waning immunity and protection from severe disease.”
The DOH announced that the immunocompromised population aged 18 and above will be the first to be given a second booster shot, and frontline healthcare workers and senior citizens will follow.
Under a DOH memorandum, immunocompromised individuals are classified as those with immunodeficiency state, HIV, active cancer or malignancy, transplant recipients, undergoing steroid treatment, patients with poor prognosis / bed-ridden patients, and other conditions of immunodeficiency as certified by a doctor.
The vaccine brands to be used for the second booster shot are Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, Sinopharm and AstraZeneca.
The second booster shot is administered three months after a person receives the first booster shot or third dose.
To find out if you are qualified for the 2nd booster shot in Muntinlupa City, visit the MunCoVac Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MunCoVac/
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what do you think about this recent development? How long has it been since you received your booster shot? Have you checked what is the definition of immunocompromised under the Department of Health (DOH)?
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
As the rollout of 2nd COVID-19 booster shots goes on around Metro Manila initially for the immunocompromised patients, the same has started officially in the City of Las Piñas as confirmed by Mayor Imelda Aguilar, the Manila Bulletin reported. If you are a local resident who is immunocompromised and you have already received one booster shot (or 3rd shot following two doses of most COVID-19 vaccines) previously, then you must read the details carefully here.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar announced the rollout of the second booster shot for immunocompromised individuals against Covid-19 on Wednesday, April 27.
Aguilar encouraged the immunocompromised individuals to receive their second booster shot three months after receiving their first shot as an additional protection against the virus.
She said the immunocompromised individuals, 18 years and above, are entitled to receive their second booster shot at the vaccination sites identified by the city government.
The mayor said those who can avail of the second booster shot are those with HIV, active cancer, undergoing steroids treatment, patients with poor prognosis, and transplant patients.
Aguilar said the second booster shots are available at the SM Center and Southmall from 10 a.m. to 12 noon; University of Perpetual Help System Dalta gym from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Village Square from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
She also said there are also vaccination sites in Robinson’s mall (2-4 p.m.) and Villar Sipag Hall (12 noon to 4 p.m.).
Aguilar advised vaccinees to also visit the Las Piñas Facebook page for the schedule in administering the second booster shot.
The above report ended stating that vaccines can receive the same brand of vaccines administered to them (homologous) or a different brand compared to the first brand received (heterologous). Right now, if you need the 2nd booster shot, better start calling the local vaccination sites to find out. Call the city COVID-19 hotline.
For all the unvaccinated people reading this, any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident who was successfully boosted previously for COVID-19, how long has it been since you received it? Did you keep the vaccination-related documents with you showing that you received your booster shot?
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 Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), a government agency that is focused on a Philippine government that is clean, just, people-centered and highly efficient, recently commended the City Government of Muntinlupa for its good government services, the Manila Bulletin reported recently.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has commended the Muntinlupa City government for its e-governance innovations and other business-friendly programs.
In an inspection report, ARTA Deputy Director General for Operations Usec. Ernesto Perez lauded the innovations on public service made by the city government through the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) such as compliance to national standards and automation in business registration processes.
“The Authority would like to express our utmost gratitude for your continuous efforts towards making the government services of your Local Government Unit more efficient, systematic, and productive for all,” said Perez in a letter.
ARTA recently conducted an on-site inspection to validate and monitor the compliance of the Muntinlupa City government on the provisions of Republic Act 11032 (Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018) that seek to streamline services.
The inspection evaluated the city’s establishment of an electronic Business One Stop Shop (eBOSS), setting up of a Citizen’s Charter and other provisions under RA 11032.
ARTA cited the city’s “outstanding automation efforts” in the local Business One Stop Shop and noted that Muntinlupa has complied with the required automation and has passed inspection
The Muntinlupa City government is the first local government unit to introduce the Single Window Transaction–Modified Business One-Stop Shop, a single-interface business-registration process in which a business permit registration application can be accomplished in up to 15 minutes only.
The city government rolled out the program to implement more efficient governance by creating one-stop-shop access for the delivery of public services, which has been modified and simplified over time.
The article ended stating that Mayor Jaime Fresnedi thanked the ARTA for its feedback on the City Government’s efforts to ease transactions.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what do you think about this recent development? How much do you trust the City Government right now when it comes to services?
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 Las Piñas City, a male teacher was arrested by law enforcers as a result of an entrapment operation in relation to his extortion attempts and threatening schools with bombings, the Philippine Star reported. There were more than thirty schools located in different cities that received extortion demands via email from the suspect.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…
A (teacher) accused of extortion and threatening schools in Metro Manila with bombings and mass shootings while posing as a New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was apprehended in Las Piñas City, police reported yesterday. Jake Castro, 26, was arrested by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group under the supervision of CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz during a sting in Barangay Zapote on Friday.
According to probers, Castro is a teacher at a private school for poor children at Doña Manuela Subdivision in Barangay Pamplona.
Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, who heads the CIDG National Capital Region field unit, said Castro e-mailed extortion demand messages to 33 schools in Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Makati, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Taguig and Quezon City.
Nine of the schools the suspect allegedly threatened are in Parañaque and seven in Quezon City.
Using the e-mail address newpeoplesarmy1969@gmail.com, Castro claims to be a member of the NPA special tactics unit, threatening the schools with bombings and terror attacks if his demands are not met.
One of these educational institutions from Barangay Bago Bantay in Quezon City filed a complaint with the CIDG after receiving e-mail from the suspect demanding P2 million.
“In case the school management failed to give in to the demand, they would bomb and blow the school into pieces and would shoot the people inside the school,” Silvio said.
Police said 26 other schools in Metro Manila received similar threats from the suspect.
A school principal convinced the suspect to agree to lower the amount to P500,000. Acting on this, the CIDG launched an entrapment operation with the help of a delivery rider after Castro agreed to receive the money at his house in Zapote village.
The suspect was placed under arrest after he received the marked money.
Police said they confiscated a .38-caliber handgun, five shotgun bullets, a cell phone, other gadgets and a motorcycle from Castro.
Castro is being held on charges of robbery, resisting arrest, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, violation of the election gun ban and Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this crime story? If you are a school employee, did you work for a school that received a threat from the suspect via email? Are you thankful to the CIDG for apprehending the suspect?
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 