Isko, 5 others arrested

MANILA, Philippines - A day after rivals Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former President Joseph Estrada signed a peace covenant for peaceful elections in May, Estrada’s runningmate, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, was arrested over alleged illegal bingo operations in Sta. Cruz district.

Moreno was arrested along with Councilors Jong Isip, Joel Chua, Fe Fugoso, Letlet Zaral and Yul Servo.

The vice mayor and the city councilors were in the middle of Tambunting street when they were stopped by Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) officers and brought to the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 3.

Without naming names, Moreno said only one person would order his arrest.

MPD Station 3 commander Superintendent Ric Layug said charges of illegal gambling and obstruction will be slapped against Moreno and company.

Moreno and the councilors described their arrest as “political harassment” amid a peace pact.

Reports said there was an ongoing dialogue between the police and residents of Tambunting street over bingo operations in the area when Moreno and his companions arrived. The bingo games allegedly did not have permits from city hall.

Tension reportedly heat up when Moreno started saying that the police are “puppies of the mayor.”

The vice mayor and his companions had to ride a passenger jeep after people in the vicinity blocked his car.

Reports said Moreno acquired bruises from the commotion.

Prior to this, another bingo event being held by councilors allied with Estrada in Singalong street was dispersed by MPD Station 5 policemen.  

Moreno slammed Lim, saying councilors under his party were granted permits to hold bingo events in other places.

Erap hits Lim

Meanwhile, Estrada slammed yesterday Lim for allegedly ordering the arrest of Moreno.

In an interview with The STAR, Estrada said Lim violated the peace covenant they signed on Thursday.

“As a former chief of police, he should be the one implementing the law and not the violator of the law,” he added.

Estrada, who immediately went to MPD Station 3 to check on his runningmate, said the arrest of Moreno is a “simple political harassment.”

“The peace covenant he signed with me is useless. I condemn this political harassment,” the former leader said.

Estrada’s camp said they will file charges against Lim and the police officers who arrested Moreno.

“We will file charges against Mayor Lim and his policemen. We are not afraid of him as long as we are doing the right thing,” he said.

For his part, former Manila vice mayor Danny Lacuna condemned the arrest of Moreno.

“I believe in Mayor Lim before. But I don’t think it’s fair,” Lacuna said.