Day: September 22, 2021

In August 2021, 17 members of the public received the Public Spiritedness Awards (PSA) from the Public Transport Security Command (TransCom).

The 17 PSA recipients were recognized for their valiant efforts to assist the Police in incidents that took place in the public transport nodes such as MRT stations and bus interchanges. Three cases have been highlighted to share the efforts of the individuals involved.

In the first case, on 16 January 2021, Mr Jeremy Chang Yuan Jie and Ms Chan Jie Min were on board a moving train towards Pasir Ris when they noticed a man allegedly taking photos of a woman who was seated in the train.  Mr Chang and Ms Chan immediately confronted the man and alerted the Police. The man was arrested for voyeurism.

In the second case, on 10 March 2021, Mr Tan Yang En and Ms Leow Xin Li, Mavis were on board a train between Clementi MRT station and Jurong East MRT station when they spotted a man taking photos of a woman. Mr Tan pressed the Emergency Communications Button for assistance immediately, while Ms Leow took a photo of the man’s act. The Police were alerted, and the man was arrested for voyeurism.

In the third case, on 22 March 2021, Ms Ho was on an escalator at Pioneer MRT station when she noticed a man allegedly trying to take an upskirt video of a woman. She confronted him and sought assistance from the SMRT staff.  The Police were alerted, and the man was arrested for voyeurism.

Commander of TransCom, Assistant Commissioner of Police Fanny Koh Bee Yuan, said: “It is heartening to see members of the public stepping out of their comfort zone to report the commission of a crime. Their vigilance, resourcefulness, and willingness to step forward to alert the Police led to the arrest of the suspects and prevented more persons from becoming victims of crime. The 17 award recipients had displayed a strong sense of public spiritedness that demonstrated the important relationship between the public and Police to prevent, deter and detect crimes. This partnership will help to keep the public transport network safe and secure.”

Source: Singapore Police Force

Close to 5,000 informal sector workers in the National Capital Region received aid in the form of bicycle units, livelihood, and cash-for-work from the labor department.

This after the DOLE-National Capital Region awarded assistance amounting to P59,183,722  to close to 5,000 beneficiaries in various parts of Metro Manila on Tuesday, September 21.

Labor Secretary Silvestre ‘Bebot’ Bello III graced the awarding ceremony in Pasay City where bicycle units, livelihood grants, and emergency employment wages were distributed to the workers.

Under the DOLE’s BikeCination Project, beneficiaries from the 16 cities and one municipality in NCR received bicycle units and mobile phone with load cards for their food delivery start-up amounting to a total of P21,177,522.

“Through these bicycle units, we aim to provide alternative source of income to informal sector workers or their next of kin under the A4 category who have completed their vaccine against COVID-19. This is one incentive to encourage our workers to get vaccinated and to help in the country’s fight against this pandemic,” said Secretary Bello.

Under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, meanwhile, 3,551 informal sector workers from Marikina, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, and Manila were given temporary employment and subsequently received their wages amounting to P35,436,630.

Also, 330 beneficiaries received livelihood grants amounting to P2,569,570 under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.

Among the beneficiaries are 250 members of Alyansa ng mga Nakakatanda sa Komunidad, Inc. for their food bank project amounting to P970,000; 60 women OFW returnees who are members of Development Action for Women Network Inc. for their sewing and pattern making project amounting to P999,570; and 20 beneficiaries of the Negosyo sa Kariton (NegoKart) amounting to P600,000.

Lastly, Secretary Bello reminded the grantees to use the DOLE assistance wisely.

“Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil ang mga ayudang ito ay pera ninyo. Sabi ni Presidente ang pera ng DOLE, pera ng tao. Kaya ang dapat ay ibigay ang pera sa mga tao. Iyong ibinigay namin sa inyo pangalagaan ninyo, gamitin ninyo sa tama,” he said.

Also gracing the ceremony are DOLE-NCR Regional Director Sarah Buena Mirasol and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.

Source: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT REPUBLIC OF PHILIPPINES

The Police have arrested three men and two women, aged between 17 and 22 years old, for their suspected involvement in a case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapon.

On 20 September 2021 at about 1.30 am, the Police were alerted to a fight at Blk 19 Jalan Sultan. Upon Police’s arrival, a 19-year-old man was found with lacerations on his head, upper body and hand. He was subsequently conveyed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The assailants had fled prior to Police’s arrival. A knife was also seized as case exhibit.

Through follow-up investigations and with the aid of images from Police and CCTV cameras, officers from Central Police Division and Criminal Investigation Department established the identities of the persons involved in the assault and arrested them between 20 and 22 September 2021.

Of the five persons arrested, a 19 year-old male teenager will be charged in court on 23 September 2021 with voluntarily causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapon, punishable under Section 326 of the Penal Code. The offence carries a punishment of life imprisonment, or imprisonment for a term which may extend to 15 years and/or fine, and caning.

Police investigations are ongoing. The Police will not tolerate such brazen acts of violence and blatant disregard of the law. We will spare no effort to apprehend such offenders and deal with them in accordance with the law.

Source: Singapore Police Force

The Police are investigating 19 persons, aged between 22 and 59, for alleged non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

On 20 September 2021, the Police received information of a gathering in a mixed-use commercial and residential building located along Balestier Road. When officers arrived, they found 19 persons allegedly consuming alcohol, playing games such as darts and table soccer, and socializing within the unit. Liquor, a karaoke system, a pool table, a dart board, and other paraphernalia used for entertainment were found inside the unit. Public entertainment and liquor were believed to be provided at the unit without a valid licence.

A 25-year-old man, who is one of the 19 persons found in the unit, is believed to be the unit’s operator and he will be investigated for offences under the Public Entertainments Act and Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015. The man, together with the remaining 18 persons, will also be investigated for non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

The offences of providing public entertainment and supplying liquor without a valid licence each carry a fine of up to $20,000. For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, offenders may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

Members of the public are advised to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously. The Police take a stern view of irresponsible behaviours relating to the flouting of safe distancing measures and offenders will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Source: Singapore Police Force