By Erma Edera
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso expressed disappointment after the Manila Police District (MPD) confiscated hundreds of illegal firearms in Baseco Compound in Manila last week.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (Manila PIO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Last August 11, MPD has recovered at least 62 assorted firearms, two rifle grenades, two hand grenades, 15 bladed weapons and 158 bullets during the six-hour operation in Baseco.
“Can you imagine isang buong lamesa, isang barangay lang?”Tingnan ninyo oh, sa Baseco lang yan. May grenade launcher pa! So now, you tell me, kayo po ang humusga,” he said.
(Can you imagine one table full of just in one barangay. Look, that’s just from Baseco. They even have a grenade launcher. Now you tell me, you be the judge)
Moreno also bared that “enterprising people” were hiding in Baseco to conduct their illegal activities.
“Mga enterprising people dito nagkukubli. Mahirap na ang komunidad bakit kailangan kami pamahayan ng mga bad elements o criminal?,” Moreno said.
(These are scheming people who are hiding here. It’s bad enough that the community is impoverished, but for it to become a haven for bad elements or criminals?)
“’Di bale mahirap ang komunidad. Squatter din naman ako eh. Alam ko po ang pakiramdam na kahit mahirap, kami ay panatag naman dahil ang gobyerno hindi kami tinatalikuran, pinangangalagaan kami sa aming kapanatagan at kaayusan ng aming buhay,” he added.
(It’s fine if the community is poor. I too was an informal settler before. I know how it feels to be poor but have the assurance that government has not turned its back on us and is looking out for our security and safety)
The Manila chief also told the criminals to leave especially since they are only causing a nuisance in the city.
“Ngayon, ipagpipikit mata ko na lang ba? Aba’y hindi po. Hindi yan titigil. Its either hindi tumigil ang mga criminal, umalis kayo sa Maynila, or tumigil kayo sa mga bagay na nakakaperwisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
(Will I turn a blind eye to it? Of course I won’t. We will not stop. Its either the criminals stop and leave Manila or they turn from their ways that cause problems to the community)
Baseco has been branded as the most drug-infested village in the country.