Rob suspect drowns while trying to escape

MANILA, Philippines - The body of a man wanted for a string of robberies in Manila was found floating in the Pasig River yesterday, days after he escaped from police officers who brought him to a hospital for medical examination.

According to initial reports, Angelito Aviles – who identified himself as Menandro Velasco, a member of the gang Batang City Jail – and Richard Martinez, were arrested along Gil Puyat Street in Quiapo, Manila Wednesday after allegedly robbing four women in a passenger jeepney.

They were brought to the Barbosa police community precinct, where investigators recovered three cell phones, a gold earring and money the suspects reportedly took from the women.

Police Officer 1 Edwin Paterno and Reymond Gutierrez brought the two men to the Jose Abad Santos Hospital in Binondo for medical examination Wednesday night. The suspects were handcuffed and rode behind the policemen on their motorcycles, according to the report.

After the examination, the four headed back to the precinct with Aviles riding behind Gutierrez. While traversing Muelle dela Industria in Binondo, Gutierrez alleged that Aviles managed to unlock the cuff on his left wrist and tried to grab his firearm, causing them to crash.

He said they scuffled for the gun, which accidentally went off. Aviles ran and jumped into the Pasig River. The two policemen said they tried to go after the suspect, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Aviles’ bloated body was found floating in the river near the San Miguel wharf in Binondo at around 6:30 a.m. yesterday. His father, Danilo, went to the police morgue to identify his body.