Suspected snatcher gunned down

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected snatcher was gunned down while merrily dancing the night away with his buddy in front of a commercial building in Tondo, Manila Tuesday night.

Alberto Santos, 34, a vendor, of Del Pan street Binondo, Manila died right on the spot from a gunshot wound on the lower right side of the ear with the bullet exiting through his temple.

According to his live-in partner Marilyn Diceja she was warned by an unidentified man two days ago that something bad will happen to Santos as he never cease with his snatching activities along C.M. Recto Avenue. Santos reportedly ignored the threat.

At around 6 p.m. Santos and his friend Jayson Halili were seen dancing to a loud music coming from a commercial building along Padre Rada street in Tondo. An armed man suddenly came from behind and grabbed Santos by the hair. Then without uttering a word, the gunman fired at Santos’ head and casually walked away.

Police recovered a deformed slug from an unknown type of gun at the scene of the shooting.

Witnesses said the gunman may be sending a grim warning to underworld characters in the city to stop their nefarious activities or suffer the same fate. – Nestor Etolle