Police said the victim, identified as Leonardo Sanchez, 25, of 260 Dayao street, Balut, Tondo, Manila, was walking along G. G. Cruz street with two other MMDA operatives when someone stabbed him twice in the upper abdomen at around 7:15 p.m.
Sanchez’s companions, identified as Robert and Jeffrey Bautista, said that they were only two meters away from the suspect, they could not identify him because the area was too dark.
They said they were looking for a canteen so they could have their dinner after the clearing operations.
Prober SPO2 Rodolfo Balacuay said the suspect immediately fled on foot with the bladed weapon while the victim’s companions rushed their colleague to San Juan De Dios Hospital, where he later died.
The investigator proceeded to the area for a follow-up investigation on the case but no one could give details about the suspect.
Police chief Superintendent Ronald Estilles said the area has been the center of disputes between MMDA operatives and illegal vendors.
He said Sanchez was the fourth MMDA enforcer to be stabbed in Baclaran this year However, he was the first one killed.
Estilles noted that there were instances in the past when MMDA operatives had been tagged in the killing of illegal vendors.
"We have to confirm the recent killing had something to do with the dispute. Let’s wait for the investigation," said Estilles. "In the meantime, we have to make sure that our policemen continue patrolling the area to prevent another incident."– Edu Punay