Garbage collector slain in front of wife

MANILA, Philippines - A woman watched in shock as two men attacked and killed her husband in Tondo, Manila early yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 2 Benito Cabatbat said the victim, Ronaldo Curbano, 48, collected the garbage from his neighbors for a fee. He had no known enemies, Cabatbat added.

At around 4:15 a.m. yesterday, Curbano and his wife, whose identity was withheld, were unloading garbage from their pushcart to a vacant lot at the corner of Vitas and Jacinto streets when two men suddenly appeared. One of the men stabbed the victim in the stomach, while the other served as lookout. After the stabbing, the attackers walked away, leaving Curbano’s wife – now widow – behind.

Curbano’s brothers and sisters rushed him to the Tondo General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Cabatbat said they still do not know who attacked Curbano and why. – Nestor Etolle