Manila Bay vendor goes wild: 1 killed, 3 hurt

MANILA, Philippines - An ambulant vendor who thought his belongings were being stolen killed a man, threw a boy into the Manila Bay and stabbed two others along Roxas Boulevard in Manila Sunday morning.

The Manila Police District (MPD) homicide division reported that Paul Ryan Ronquillo, 13, was walking along the seawall near Baywalk when he accidentally nudged a plastic bag that contained the belongings of Gil Custodio, 45. Custodio, who was sleeping and using the bag as a pillow, awakened and accused the boy of trying to steal his belongings. Ronquillo denied the allegation.

In a fit of anger, Custodio tried to strangle the boy, then threw him into the bay. When Ronquillo tried to scale the seawall, Custodio picked up a paving stone and hurled it at the boy.

Custodio then proceeded to a nearby store, took a kitchen knife and stabbed Rodelyn Fernandez, 13, and Maryjane Francisco, 12, who were sleeping on a makeshift bed at the construction site along Baywalk. The children’s cries for help caused several persons to rush to the scene.

Pedicab driver Jake Bandera, 36, was among those who tried to pacify Custodio, but the vendor stabbed him twice. The victims were brought to the Ospital ng Maynila, where Bandera died.

Police Officer 1 Jay Galvez of the Ermita police station led a team who arrested Custodio. The vendor was charged with murder.