Baker shot dead in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines - A baker was shot dead by a man believed to be a robber who victimized his bakery in Quezon City Tuesday night. Florentino Moreno, 56, was already dead from three gunshot wounds in the body when he was found yesterday morning inside his bakery in Barangay North Fairview.

Chief Inspector Benjamin Elenzano, head of the Homicide Investigation Section of the Quezon City Police District, said the victim’s wife, Estelita, dropped by the bakery where her husband usually stayed, at around 9 a.m. and found the victim’s body sprawled on the floor with money scattered on the table. According to Elenzano, they found three bullet holes in the window shutter of the bakery.

Residents told the police that they heard several gunshots fired in the area at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday during which the shop was already closed. Elenzano said a witness saw a man coming from the direction of the bakery during that time. He noted that the suspect behind the killing could have been a robber.

The police official said the suspect might have peeked through the closed bakery and saw the victim counting money. It could be that the robber attempted to ask the baker to open up. When the baker did not open the shop, the robber might have started firing at the bakery.

Moreover, a man allegedly involved in a number of theft and robbery cases was shot dead by armed men on a motorcycle also in Quezon City Tuesday night. Ricky Mabahin, 36, of Barangay Commonwealth, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds in the body during the attack at around 11 p.m. in his neighborhood.

Police said two men were involved in the killing that happened as Mabahin was drinking liquor in the area. The suspects suddenly arrived and without any warning, the suspects fired at Mabahin and quickly left after the victim fell.         – Reinir Padua