Gunmen chase, kill 71-year-old woman

Two men pursued and shot to death a 71-year-old woman in Manila Monday afternoon.

Rosita Fernandez, an ambulant vendor and resident of Mithi Street in Tondo, died as doctors at Mary Johnston Hospital were treating her for three gunshot wounds in the chest.

On the other hand, three other persons were wounded after they were hit by the bullets which killed the victim.

Elena Banayos, 58; Arlene Quirante, 46; both neighbors of the victim and Rolando Buan, 31; were rushed to the same hospital for gunshot wounds in the chest and knees.

PO2 Ronald Gallo of the Manila Police District homicide section said that the shooting happened around 2 p.m. Monday at the corner of Mithi and Ortega Streets in Tondo, near the victim’s house.

According to the police, the victim had just left her house to sell her wares when two armed men accosted her at the street corner.

She tried to run away but the two men easily caught up with her and repeatedly shot her at close range.

The bullets, the police investigator told the Inquirer, went through the old woman’s body and hit three persons who were standing nearby.

The gunmen fled when the victim slumped to the ground. She and the other victims were rushed by neighbors to the nearest hospital where she died around 3 p.m.

Gallo said that the victim was apparently the gunmen’s target although investigators have yet to determine the motive behind the killing as no witness have come forward to provide them with information.