Ex-Manila cop gunned down in Tondo

MANILA, Philippines — A former police officer was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding assailant in Manila Thursday morning, police said.

Police said Dranreb De Castro, who was once assigned at the Manila Police District (MPD) at Jose Abad police station, was on board his motorcycle along Vitas corner Bonifacio Streets in Barangay 99, Tondo at around 9:10 a.m. when the suspect, onboard a motorcycle, shot him. The gunman sped off towards Ugbo Street after the crime.

An updated police report showed that De Castro was with his wife, Vivian, during the ambush. The wife suffered minor injuries when she fell off the motorcycle.

Bystanders brought Vivian to a nearby hospital. She is now under stable condition after being discharged from the facility.

In a phone interview, MPD Director Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda told INQUIRER.net that the former cop died on the spot.

Records from MPD showed that prior to his stint as a Manila policeman, De Castro was transferred to Police Regional Office IV or Bicol police. MPD said De Castro went AWOL (absent without official leave) status after his transfer.

Further investigation is ongoing.

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