NCRPO targets gun-for-hire syndicates – SHARP EDGES by JAKE MADERAZO
The killing in broad daylight of businessman Jose Luis Yulo and his driver by motorcycle riders on Edsa was a big slap on the faces of authorities, namely, the Philippine National Police (where was its Highway Patrol Group?), Commission on Elections (what happened to the gun ban?), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (what happened to its CCTV cameras on Edsa?), and Mandaluyong City (what
happened to the ban on motorcycle tandem-riding?).
Yes, crime indexes have gone down by more than 50 percent in 2014 and 2015 during PNoy’s term compared to 2016, 2017 and 2018 under the current administration. Crimes committed by motorcycle riders also went down from 800 to 400 cases in 2018. But the blatant Edsa attack is instilling fear in motorists and leading to increased security among politicians and people under threat.
A special investigation task group was created to look into the possible motives (business or personal) for the crime.
Director Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office chief, declared that they would go after tandem-riding and gun-for-hire syndicates in Metro Manila.
The move is quite timely, Director Eleazar, because “hired killers” today are too accessible to “abusive persons” who want to eliminate their enemies.
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The closure for two years of the Tandang Sora flyover and intersection on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City will be a nightmare for an estimated 130,000 motorists.
The closure will begin at 11 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23, and MMDA general manager Jojo Garcia says two U-turn slots will be created about 700 meters away from the intersection.
The all-steel elevated U-turn slots that can be built within three to six months are similar to the ones on the narrower Kalayaan C-5 in Makati City. Garcia says Metro Rail Transit 7 engineers from the San Miguel Group like his idea.
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What is the PNP policy on “wang-wang” (siren) and campaigning politicians using armed escorts?
What about heavy traffic caused by the sudden closure of roads? With the proliferation of house-to-house campaigns, town hall meetings, gift-giving and other gimmicks, it is likely that motorists will encounter these “noisy motorcades” and get stuck in traffic for hours.
I was caught in traffic for several hours on side streets in Cainta and Taytay, Rizal, last Saturday. As a result, I missed a wedding in Antipolo City where I was a principal sponsor. The main highways were closed due to the town fiesta celebration while the side roads were full of campaigning candidates.
Barangay officials should take an active role in managing traffic flow in their areas while candidates should be considerate of commuters and field road marshals during their events.
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On Thursday afternoon, the bones of my father — Mercedes, Eastern Samar Mayor Elpidio O. Maderazo — who was killed in an accident in August 1966, will be reinterred in the grave of my mother, Adela Jalbay-Maderazo, at Himlayang Pilipino, Quezon City.
Their reunion after 53 years coincides with the birthday of my beloved mother. May they rest in eternal peace.
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