EDSA shootout victims get financial assistance

Relieved Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay and Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos Jr. gave financial assistance yesterday to victims of the EDSA shootout last Monday.

Aglipay visited the Victor Potenciano Medical Center where the wounded victims were confined and promised to help shoulder their hospital expenses. Among those confined at the said hospital were SPO4 Ramon Solito and PO3 Leon Decadin, of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) in Camp Crame.

Aglipay also visited the wake of PO2 Dexter Sy at the Camp Crame chapel and gave out financial assistance to his family.

Abalos also gave P10,000 assistance to Sy’s family.

The family of Solito and Decadin received P5,000 each while the wounded civilians were given P3,000 each for their hospitalization and medicines.

"What happened was unfortunate for everyone, and the city would like to extend whatever help we can manage for the victims and most especially to the members of the TMG whose lives are placed at stake in moments like this," Abalos said.

Abalos also ordered the purchase of a van to be donated to the TMG. The mayor said the purchase of the new van is the city’s way of showing commitment and support to the group, especially in fighting criminality in the city’s main thoroughfares.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Sakurno Ikbala, Mandaluyong City police chief denied reports that messenger Juan Malong, 35, was one of the suspects in the robbery that preceded the EDSA shootout.

"I have not treated Malong as one of the suspects," said Ikbala in an interview. A TV station Wednesday night reported that Malong is a suspect in the robbery.

Malong, of Sta. Lucia Realty, was on his way to deposit some P1 million at a bank branch in Columbia Towers along Ortigas Avenue, when a man grabbed his bag. The man boarded a Toyota Corolla and sped off towards EDSA.

However, upon reaching Producer’s Market along Libertad street, the TMG operatives flagged down the suspects’ vehicle for sporting fake license plates. The robbers opened fire and a shootout ensued. — Non Alquitran