P'que fire kills Alcera's grandma

An 85-year-old businesswoman was burned to death in a fire that razed a public market and several residential houses, damaging P3 million worth of property in Parañaque before dawn Friday.

Victim Doña Clara Protacio Fabra, of Bagong Ilog street in Baclaran, Parañaque was almost burnt beyond recognition. She is the grandmother of Pasay City Vice Mayor Greg Alcera.

Case officer PO2 Vicente Aurellano said the fire started at 12:45 a.m. at the Del Mar Photo Studio on Bagong Ilog street corner Quirino Avenue in Baclaran.

The fire quickly spread to three residential houses, a commercial apartment building and the entire Mabuhay Public Market owned by Fabra. The victim who resided on the second floor of the market was reportedly rescued by some of her tenants but returned to her room unnoticed to recover a bag containing important documents, money and jewelry.

Fire fighters extinguished the fire at about 1:30 a.m. and found the victim on the ground floor of the market still clutching her bag.

The victim's body was taken to the Rizal Funeral Homes on Libertad street in Pasay.

Arson investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, the peace and order situation in Metro Manila was generally peaceful during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday,

Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay said yesterday.

Aglipay credited the early preparations undertaken by the five police districts, especially the police visibility campaign in bus terminals, churches, vital installations and residential areas, for the almost zero crime situation in the metropolis.

In the past years, police said crime incidents were traditionally high during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday because Filipinos have the penchant of celebrating the two occasions by drinking alcoholic drinks.

"Maybe it is because majority of Filipinos are in the provinces to observe the Lenten season. But I'm not taking the credit away from our alert and hardworking policemen," said Aglipay.

Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Caisip, Aglipay's deputy for operations, reported that two motorcycles were stolen while parked on Good Friday in Navotas and Caloocan City.

Aglipay is continuously making the rounds of Metro Manila to check that the five police districts are following standard operating procedures (SOP). "I'm happy that our hard work paid off. We must maintain our momentum and not lower our guard," said Aglipay.- With Non Alquitran