Metro Manila cops warned vs Christmas solicitations

With the 100-day countdown to Christmas due to start next week, Metro Manila police were reminded Friday against soliciting money from businesses. Radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported that the Metro Manila police warned its erring members of severe sanctions if they are caught soliciting. National Capital Region Police Office spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said police cannot afford to have their image blackened even further, especially at this time of year. Police are still trying to recover from the black eye dealt by the Aug. 23 Manila hostage crisis where eight Hong Kong tourists were killed. The slain hostage-taker was a dismissed police officer, Rolando Mendoza. Donations The same dzBB report said complaints of solicitations in past years had involved asking for "donations" in cash and kind for Christmas parties and similar activities. On the other hand, Carlos appealed to business establishments to report such solicitations to their offices. The NCRPO website lists the hotlines of the NCRPO and its five districts as: