Collector gunned down in Commonwealth market
A collector was gunned down by a still unidentified gunman while collecting payments for loans inside Commonwealth Market in Quezon City over the weekend.
Investigators of the Quezon City Police District identified the victim as Emilio Leomo, 55, a resident of Steve Street in Barangay Commonwealth.
Initial investigation showed that Leomo was collecting payment from his debtors at the back of Commonwealth Market around 5.50 a.m. Saturday.
While he was walking at a path between stalls 1 and 19, the suspect clad in black jacket and maong pants, and wearing black face mask and a bull cap, appeared behind the victim and suddenly fired shots at him.
Leomo fell to the ground bloodied while the suspect immediately fled the crime scene on foot.
Police said Leomo died from multiple gunshot wounds on his body.
Further investigation is still ongoing to identify the suspect and the motive behind the killing. (Alex San Juan)
30 drug surrenderers graduate from Caloocan rehab program
Gerry, a former drug user, started on his journey to reformation after being admitted to "Kanlungan," the country's first comprehensive rehabilitation complex.
He was arrested for possession of shabu and was held at the Caloocan City Jail. His addiction ruined his relationships with his parents, siblings, wife, and children.
His only wish back then was to rebuild his life, to get a decent job, and to see his children again.
Three months later, he tearfully gave his mother a white rose and a medal he was awarded for his leadership skills during his graduation at Balay Silangan in Caloocan City Monday.
Gerry shared that his daughters visited him while he was in the rehabilitation complex. Those visits gave him enough strength to complete the program.
"Masaya po ako. Sana magbago na talaga siya (I'm very happy. I hope he really changes)," his mother said.
A total of 30 former drug dependents made a vow to change their lifestyle after graduating from Balay Silangan's rehabilitation program.
"Hindi pa huli ang lahat para magbagong buhay (It's never too late to change your life)," said Caloocan City Mayor Oscar "Oca" Malapitan during the graduation rites.
In their three-month stay at the rehabilitation complex, the 30 plea bargainers were taught various skills such as gardening, housekeeping, and soap-making, said Atty. Sikini Labastilla, the executive director of the Caloocan City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC).
They also went through modules that tackled how to live a drug-free life, Labastilla added.
After they finish the program, the Caloocan City local government will enroll them at Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) courses to help them secure jobs later on. (Minka Tiangco)
2 US men in woman’s slay moved to city jail
The two Americans, who were arrested last December after dumping the body of a woman into the Pasig River, were moved to the Mandaluyong City Jail last week, a police official said Monday.
Senior Supt. Moises Villaceran, Mandaluyong City Police chief, said suspects Troy Woody Jr., 21; and Mir Islam, 22, will have a brief stay at the city jail before their transfer to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
“May directives ang BJMP na all foreign nationals should be detained in BJMP Bicutan at dapat i-transfer nila ang mga nasa district and city jails,” Villaceran said.
Through the report of a Grab driver, the duo were arrested after they dumped into Pasig River a box containing the body of their fellow American Tomi Michelle Masters, 23, in the early hours of December 23, 2018.
Authorities fished out the box where they found the body of Masters duct-taped and wrapped in a garbage bag.
The two suspects were turned over to the Mandaluyong City Jail on January 9, according to Villaceran. They were previously detained at the Mandaluyong City Police custodial facility.
Woody and Islam, chief executive officers of Luxr Limited Liability Co., were charged with murder before the Mandaluyong City Prosecutors’ Office on Dec. 24, 2018 for the death of Masters.
Meanwhile, Villaceran said liaisons of the US Embassy are still processing the papers for the cremation of the body of Masters. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas)