2 dead, 2 hurt in Quezon City shooting

MANILA, Philippines - A man on a red Honda XRM motorcycle (IT1797) shot dead a teenage maid and a construction worker in Barangay Central, Quezon City Tuesday night.

Chief Inspector Benjamin Elenzano, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) homicide investigation chief, said the shooting happened in front of a drugstore along Matapang street at around 9:30 p.m.

He said Mary Ann del Rosario, 16, and Joel Acaya, 36, were riding a tricycle driven by Manolito Morillo, 35, when the unidentified gunman drove up to them and shot them.

Police said when the wounded Acaya called for help, the attacker allegedly went back and shot him several times before speeding away in the direction from which he came.

Morillo and bystander Johnell Cueto, 35, also suffered gunshot wounds as a result of the attack.

Del Rosario, who was reportedly sent to buy medicine for her employer, was hit in the head while Acaya sustained several gunshot wounds in the body. Dr. Daryl Sorilla of the East Avenue Medical Center said Del Rosario died at around 10:15 p.m. and Acaya more than an hour later.

Police recovered 11 .9mm shells from the crime scene. They believe the gunman may have used a machine pistol – a light automatic or semi-automatic submachine gun that can be discharged using only one hand.

Police said the lone attacker has been on their “watchlist” and reportedly figured in previous incidents of snatching in the area using the same red motorcycle. These incidents were recorded in the police blotter at the QCPD Station 10 on EDSA Kamuning.

Police sources told The STAR they are worried that the gunman has accumulated enough money from previous heists to buy a machine pistol.