Tourist from New Zealand held up, shot dead in Makati

Police line. Stock Photo

MANILA, Philippines — A New Zealander tourist was shot dead after he attempted to resist a robbery perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men Sunday night in Makati City, said the police.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Tuesday that Nicholas Peter Stacey, 34, was killed after still unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle pulled the robbery.

Reports said Stacey was with his girlfriend, Pamela Villanoza, and walking along Filmore Street in Barangay Palanan on Sunday night when the armed men waylaid them.

Citing Villanoza’s statement, police said the back rider alighted “pointed an unknown type of firearm to the witness and declared a hold-up while the rider parked the said motorcycle a few meters away.”

According to the NCRPO report, Stacey then tried to grab the assailant’s weapon, but the latter only fired the gun at the former’s left chest, resulting in his death.

The motorcycle-riding men took the mobile phone and wallet of Villanoza before they fled toward Pasay City, police added.

It also noted that one of the suspects was wearing a black shirt and short gray pants with a half-face helmet, while the other wore a black shirt and a pair of red jersey shorts with a face mask but no helmet.

The remains of Stacey were brought to a Taguig City funeral home for autopsy, police said.

NCRPO chief Gen. Jonnel Estomo ordered the Makati City Police Station to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of the incident and a manhunt operation on the assailants.

“Pinaigting natin ang police visibility sa nasabing lugar upang maiwasan na mangyari muli ang ganitong krimen,” he added.

(We are also increasing police visibility in the area to prevent similar crimes from happening again.)

As he recognized that Stacey’s death might stir fear among tourists, Estomo vowed justice for the slain New Zealander and reiterated the commitment of the NCRPO to extend protection and assistance to foreigners in the country.

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