Man shot dead by riding-in-tandem in Tondo; one suspect nabbed

A 32-year-old man was shot dead by a riding-in-tandem shortly after midnight on Wednesday in Tondo, Manila.

According to EJ Gomez’s report on “24 Oras,” the victim was riding a motorcycle when the suspects shot him in the head using a .40-caliber handgun.

A witness said the victim was already slumped on the ground after the first shot. One of the suspects then dismounted from the motorcycle and fired three more shots at him.

A roving police officer witnessed the shooting and immediately rushed to the site of the incident.

CCTV footage showed the suspects fleeing the scene, with the gunman chasing his companion on the motorcycle. The roving officer reportedly shot the fleeing gunman, injuring him.

The gunman sustained gunshot wounds to his shoulders and back and was rushed to a hospital.

A relative of the victim said he learned about the incident from a friend in the early hours of Wednesday.

“Ang pagkakasabi po, ‘Yung kuya mo bulagta na. Nabaril sa ulo (I was told, 'Your brother is lying on the ground. He was shot in the head.')

He expressed lament at the loss of the victim, who leaves behind a family.

"Siyempre po mahirap, siya lang po ang katulong ng nanay ko. Meron din siyang naulilang dalawang anak at dalawang pamangkin,” the relative said.

(Of course, it’s difficult—he was my mother’s only helper, and he left behind two children and two nephews.)

The victim had been jailed for illegal drugs in 2023 and was released in October last year. His family believes the killing may be linked to his past involvement in illegal drugs.

“Paglabas niya po kasi, ang usapan namin ay magbabago na siya. Posibleng sa dati niyang mga kasama sa droga, may dating alitan,” the relative added.

(Because when he got out of jail, we came to an agreement that he would change. It’s possible there was an old grudge involving his former companions in drugs.)

Barangay 169 chairperson Arnel Capalad said both the victim and the suspect are not residents of the area. The victim was a resident of Barangay 155, he said.

Police investigation is ongoing, including the manhunt for the suspect who escaped.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA Integrated News