Ang Maynila… Noon at Ngayon

(Ika-3 bahagi ng State of the City Address ni Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada noong Hulyo 23, 2014.)

“…Tinutukan po natin ang peace and order. I have said it before and I will say it again: ‘Without peace and order, there can be no economic growth.’ I told the leadership of the Manila Police District that I would support them 100%, but I expect total commitment so that our police force will become once again ‘Manila’s finest.’

‘‘We made 1,590 arrests of those involved in illegal drugs with more than P180 million worth of illegal drugs confiscated; the campaign against prostitution was intensified; and the one strike policy against illegal gambling was strictly enforced.

‘‘Tinupad ko ang pangako ko sa ating kapulisan na financial at operational support. Ibinigay natin ang allo-wances na hindi ibinigay noong nakaraaang administras­yon nang halos tatlong taon. Dinagdagan pa natin ito para sa training at mga equipment.

‘‘With the generous assistance of four Filipino-Chinese groups namely the Chinese-Filipino Business Club Inc. represented by Mr. Johnny Chua; the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce represented by Mr. Joey Go, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. represented by Mr. Alfonso Siy and the Filipino-Chinese Charitable Association represented by Dr. James Dy and other benefactors, the Manila Police District received new patrol cars, motorcycles, bicycles, electric transporters, computers and other equipment. Palak­pakan po natin ang ating mga Filipino-Chinese groups.

‘‘I am happy to report to you that during our first year in office, the Manila Police District was recognized as the top police district in Metro Manila, at naniniwala ako na ang Manila Police District ay muling magiging best police district sa taong ito! Palakpakan po natin si General Rolando Asuncion, Col. Gilbert Cruz at ang ating mga kapulisan…”

(Itutuloy)

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Nakikidalamhati ako sa pagyao ni Mr. Eduardo Gacusana Burgos Sr., dating Production Manager ng pahayagang We Forum, kapatid ng kinikilalang press freedom icon na si Joe Burgos Jr., at ama ni former journalist and former diplomat Eduardo Jr. (Jun).