‘My Way’ claims another life

The song "My Way" of Frank Sinatra claimed another life in Quiapo, Manila.

A jobless man was killed while his friend was seriously wounded after they were shot by a Criminology student, who felt insulted when the victims applauded him for singing "My Way" off key in a beerhouse in Quiapo on Saturday night.

The fatality was identified as Jofre Valente, 26, married and a resident of 1211-H Concepcion Aguila St., Quiapo. He died while undergoing treatment at the Philippine General Hospital due to three gunshot wounds in the body. Valente’s friends, Albert Javier, 24, was also taken to the same hospital due to gunshot wounds in the body.

Police said the suspect, Jose Manuel, 21, a Criminology student of the Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU), of 438 Nepomuceno St., also in Quiapo, was arrested shortly after the shooting incident which took place at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, he denied any know-ledge of the incident.

Senior Police Office 1 Virgo Villareal, one of the arresting policemen, said the wounded victim positively identified Manuel as the person who shot them on Arlegui St., Quiapo.

When interviewed by investigators at the hospital, Javier said they entered the Honey Joy Videoke bar along Arlegui street where the suspects were also having a drinking spree.

Javier said while they were drinking their beer at another table, Manuel took the microphone and sang Sinatra’s song "My Way." Although the way Manuel sang was off key, the victims clapped their hands after the song, which apparently irked the suspects.

When Javier went to the comfort room to relieve himself, one of the suspects followed him and punched him in the chest. The incident at the rest room prompted the victims to leave the beerhouse.

While the victims were walking along Arlegui street, a few meters away from the beerhouse, the suspects blocked their path and Manuel shot them repeatedly.