Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has vowed to intensify the crackdown against criminals hiding in the city’s poor villages after the police confiscated hundreds of illegal weapons in Baseco Compound last week.
Last August 11, members of the Manila Police District (MPD) recovered at least 62 assorted firearms, two rifle grenades, two hand grenades, 15 bladed weapons and 158 bullets during a 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.
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.
“Di baleng 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.
The Manila chief also asked the criminals to leave especially if they are only causing 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.
Baseco has been branded as the most drug-infested village in the country. (Erma Edera)
