French national shot and killed along baywalk

MANILA, Philippines—A French national was killed when he allegedly tried to fight off a suspected robber in Pasay City on Friday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Asejo Llorca identified the victim as Hofman Fierre Paul Franz, 68. He was shot in different parts of the body after he refused to hand over his bag to the still unidentified suspect.

Llorca said Franz was walking along the service road of Roxas Boulevard with two other French companions at around 7:50 a.m. when the suspect, who was armed with a caliber .45, declared the heist as he grabbed the victim’s blue sling bag.

“The victim resisted, prompting the suspect to shoot him [trice],” Llorca said, adding that the robber escaped with the bag that had roughly 750 euros and other personal belongings.

He said the suspect fled on foot and subsequently boarded a blue motorcycle driven by his alleged cohort.

Franz was rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital but was declared dead on arrival, Llorca said.

He said three spent shells from a caliber .45 were recovered from the crime scene.

The French Embassy in Makati City has been properly informed of the incident, Llorca said.