Estrada bids farewell
Outgoing Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada bid farewell to public service on Wednesday, four days before his second term ends on June 30. “As an outgoing mayor of Manila, you have been the source of my strength and dedication. Kayo ang nagbigay sa akin ng lahat. I now bid you farewell for now and I take a step back from public service. The people have spoken and I respect them,” Estrada said during his thanksgiving party at the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City. Estrada said that he respects the decision of Manileños to elect Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and admitted that he did not expect to go out on his second term. “Sad truth, hindi ko po inakala na hanggang second term lang ako dahil in all the motorcades we had during the campaign, napakainit ng pagsalubong ng Manileño sa akin. Ang madaming yumayakap, ang dami-daming humahalik,” Estrada said. Despite this, Estrada vowed that his “devotion to the city of Manila will remain.” (Erma Edera)
Lady cop killed in crash
A policewoman died when the motorcycle she was driving was hit by a mixer truck on the C-5 flyover in Pasig City yesterday morning. Police Lt. Virgilio Cayetano, Pasig police Investigation and Management Branch chief, identified the victim as Police Corporal Arvi Jennifer Leaño, 33, assigned to the Eastern Police District Mobile Force Battalion. Initial investigation showed that the hydraulic mixer truck of Megawide Construction Corp. driven by Guillermo Laurente, 50, and the Leano’s Honda motorcycle were travelling on the northbound lane of C-5 in Barangay Bagong Ilog at around 7:10 a.m “Along the way, they had a collision and Leano fell from her motorcycle,” Cayetano said. Leaño, who was on her way to the EPD Mobile Force Batallion, went under the mixer and her head and upper body was ran over by the truck, he said. Two motorcycle riders, August Yabut, 42, and wife Celiste, 43, also figured in the mishap and were brought to the hospital. Laurente was arrested and currently under the custody of the Pasig police. (Jhon Casinas)
Man walking shot dead
A man walking in front of a university on Taft Ave. in Manila was gunned down by two men riding a motorcycle yesterday. The Manila Police District Homicide Section identified the victim as Frederick Rael who was wearing a maroon shirt, beige shorts, a cap, and black rubber shoes. Investigation showed Rael was walking in front of the Philippine Women’s University when two men on board a motorcycle appeared and shot him at around 8:05 a.m. He died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds. Rael’s remains were taken to the Archangel Funeral Homes in Manila. (Erma Edera)