Palace wary of US travel advisory after killing

MALACAÑANG is wary of a travel advisory being issued against the country following the death of a United States ( US) diplomat who was stabbed Saturday morning in Makati City.

In an interview aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan ( dzRB) on Sunday, Palace deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said that the government is hoping that the incident would not result in the issuance of a travel advisory from the US warning its citizens to refrain from traveling to the country.

She stressed that the Philippine National Police ( PNP) has already resolved the matter when they arrested four suspects and filed charges against them on Sunday.

Valte added that police in Metro Manila have also been improving police visibility and going after loose firearms. ” Huwag naman po sana [ We

hope not]. But ito po kasing mga bagay na ito, apart from police

visibility na ngayon ay pinapaigting nga po ng NCRPO— pati ho ‘yung

recall ng mg a loose firearms ginagalawan na rin po ‘yan ng ating PNP hindi lang po para doon [ These measures, apart from police visibility that is being improved by the NCRPO—even the recall of loose firearms—are being implemented not just because of the stabbing incident],” she said.

Moreover, Valte said that the PNP has been implementing crime prevention and preparations for the upcoming 2013 mid- term polls.

On Saturday, George Anico, 41, reportedly a diplomat, was stabbed shortly after figuring in a brawl with four men outside the gate of Bel- Air Village along Kalayaan Ave. in Makati City.

According to police, Anico figured in an argument with Crispec dela Paz, 28, a student of the De La Salle University (DLSU); Juan Abastillas, 24; Galicano Datu 3rd, 22, also a DLSU student; and Ospic Caburay, 27, just outside the gate of the village at about 4:20 a.m.

The four men, who were on board in a Volvo sport utility vehicle ( TOJ- 886), were being questioned by village security guards when Anico appeared and joined the conversation.

Police said that at the height of the argument, Anico allegedly tapped the vehicle, causing the suspects to come out of the car and confront him. In the ensuing brawl, Anico was stabbed. The suspects tried to flee but were arrested after a brief chase by police officers on two motorcycles.

A report said that Anico was rushed by rescue workers from Brgy. Poblacion and Makati Rescue to the Makati Medical Center. He died from stab wounds at 7: 20 a. m. on Saturday.