MANILA, Philippines - Amid repeated police claims of heightened police visibility in Metro Manila, a man was shot dead while fighting off a mugger in front of a mall in eastern Metro Manila before dawn Monday.
Radio dzBB reported that the victim sustained at least five gunshot wounds in the head, body and leg, even as witnesses said the mugger casually walked away from the scene.
The incident took place about 4:40 a.m. in front of the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall along Marcos Highway, at the boundary of Pasig City and Cainta town in Rizal province.
Police recovered a driver's license with the name John Macamay, but admitted they are not sure if it belonged to the victim as the photo did not match the victim's facial features.
Investigators, however, said the cell phone and wallet of the victim were missing.
A couple who saw the incident said the suspect, clad in denim shorts and white T-shirt and armed with a cal-.45 pistol, approached the victim who was wearing dark blue T-shirt, denim pants and backpack.
The couple said the two then scuffled for the firearm but the suspect got hold of it before shooting the victim. - GMANews.TV