Businesswoman shot

MANILA, Philippines - A woman trader is now in critical condition after she was shot by a suspected gun-for-hire while having dinner at a popular food chain in Sampaloc, Manila Thursday night.

 The victim, Rosanna Santos, 46, of Las Piñas City, is under observation from a gunshot wound in the chest at an undisclosed hospital, according to Sampaloc police station chief Superintendent Jemar Modequillo.

Police said the victim was having dinner at a fast food store together with two companions at the corner of Dapitan and A.H. Lacson streets past 10 p.m. when the gunman barged in and fired at her. The suspect just casually walked away as the stunned patrons could only watch in shock.

Witnesses failed to get a close look at the gunman who was wearing a black jacket and his face covered with a bull cap.

Modequillo refused to give further details on the motive for the shooting so as not to jeopardize the ongoing manhunt for the suspect.