Erap feels he's like Batman in Gotham City.



This is how former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada hoped to save the city of Manila, which he feared has transformed into fictional crime-infested Gotham City.



Estrada argued that during the term of Manila Mayor Alfredo “Dirty Harry” Lim, criminals have become more brazen – even influencing law enforcers – in committing crimes in the metro.



“Manila has overtaken Quezon City as the carnapping capital. There is also a news report showing that agents of the Manila Police District are involved with kidnapping,” Estrada said.



Estrada, who wants to replace Lim, issued the statement as he expressed dismay over the stone-throwing incident that rocked his local slate’s campaign caucus over the weekend.



Three people were hurt when an unidentified group threw rocks and beer bottles at the stage, where Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) was holding a program in Sampaloc, Manila last Saturday night.



Estrada decided to end the program, even as he had not delivered his campaign message so as to ease the tension and ensure the safety of his supporters.



“If this happened to me, what more to ordinary Manileños? If an incumbent councilor can be stoned at and get hurt, what more for defenseless civilians?” Estrada said.



He even raised the possibility that bigger crimes could be happening in dark alleys of Manila since perpetrators can boldly strike in peaceful open gatherings.



“I now challenge my political opponents to unmask those who are responsible for the stone-throwing incident if only to show the people of Manila that the capital city has not turned into a fictional crime-ridden Gotham City,” Estrada said.



“This is one case when he cannot say ‘Bahala na si Batman’ since he is the one in charge. He must show that law offenders will be punished and the general public will be protected from harm,” he urged.



Estrada, who served as San Juan City mayor before holding national posts, emphasized that he is more capable of assuring security in Manila after making crime-busting as part of his priority programs when he became president from 1998 to 2001.











































