Boy killed by train

An 11-year-old boy was mangled beyond recognition after he was hit by a passing commuter train yesterday morning in Sampaloc, Manila.

Police said the body of Joseph Sto. Domingo, of 544 Algeciras street, Sampaloc was retrieved by residents several meters from the place of impact at a railroad track at the corner of Firmeza and Algeciras streets.

Investigation conducted by SPO3 Rey Fernandez showed the victim was walking along the railroad tracks on his way to school when a southbound commuter train with Body No. 301 came rolling by.

Witnesses said the boy heard the train coming and sought protection at the side track, but was possibly hit by one of the protruding bar handles of the train.

The train dragged the body for several meters, according to residents.

Meanwhile, a suspected drug dealer was gunned down by an unidentified assailant early morning yesterday at the Islamic Center in Quiapo.

Police said the victim, known in the area only as a certain "Taba," sustained three gunshot wounds in the body. He was described as at least five-foot-six tall, in his early 30s, with military haircut and sporting tattoos of a heart and a dragon in the chest and left shoulder.

Residents said the victim was a frequent visitor in the area and was a close acquaintance of notorious drug dealer "Jimbo," who is now detained at the Manila City Jail.

Police believe the slaying of the victim was an offshoot of his drug dealings gone awry. Two spent shells and a deformed slug from a caliber .45 pistol were recovered at the crime scene.