Tondo man dies shielding relatives from gunfire

By: Maricar B. Brizuela - 11 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—A 28-year-old delivery truck driver died early Wednesday morning in Tondo, Manila, when he used his body to shield relatives from gunshots fired by unidentified men on a motorcycle, police said.

SPO3 Glenzor Vallejo said that Manny Deuda was talking to some relatives as he delivered unspecified Magnolia products to a store at the corner of Pinoy and Nava Streets in Balut, Tondo, at 4:15 a.m. when two men on a motorcycle fired successive shots at him and his group.

Vallejo said Deuda instinctively ducked to avoid getting hit but, apparently realizing his relatives were vulnerable, got up quickly to shield them from the gunfire. He caught most of the bullets.

Investigators said the victim’s relatives and other witnesses were not able to see the faces of the gunmen, who sped off immediately after the shooting.

Deuda’s mother, Luisa Buco, rushed her son to the Tondo Medical Hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police found two shells and two slugs from a .45-caliber pistol at the scene. Based on the victim’s wounds, Vallejo estimated that the gunmen fired more than six shots. It was not clear who the real target was or what the motive for the attack was.

Vallejo said Deuda lived in the same neighborhood where the crime occurred, and his delivery route included stores in the Balut area.