Imam slain in Port Area

MANILA, Philippines – An imam was gunned down in Port Area, Manila yesterday afternoon.

Guro Nasra Onsok’s killer, Mark Cantutay, said he shot the imam for allegedly pouring boiling water on his aunt.

The victim was walking on the street shortly before 1 p.m. when Cantutay approached him from behind and shot him in the head, Senior Police Officer 2 Jonathan Bautista, Manila Police District (MPD) homicide investigator, said.

Cantutay was caught by irate residents as he tried to escape. Police seized a .45 caliber pistol from the assailant.

Inspector Rommel Anicete, MPD homicide investigation chief, doubts Cantutay’s claim.

“We are looking at a deeper angle here. Onsok was a Muslim leader in the area and we are checking reports that there was an apparent power struggle in the community,” he told The STAR.

He said there were also reports that Cantutay is a contract killer.