Lawyer detained for death of transportation barker in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer was detained at the Manila Police District homicide section allegedly for inadvertently killing a barker who had blocked his daughters’ way.

Augusto Marte, 67, of Extramadura Street, Sampaloc, hit Joselito Macario, 51, resident of Loyola Street, with a steel pipe around 5:30 p.m. Sunday, according to a police report.

Investigation showed that Marte’s three daughters passed through a narrow alley to Extramadura Street where Macario and other bystanders were watching television.

In an interview, Marte said the group blocked his daughters’ way and then he refused to say more. Police said the daughters probably felt harassed.

Marte came back with a steel pipe and hit Macario in the head. The bystanders immediately pacified the two and prevented the victim from striking back.  The victim then reported the incident to the barangay (village) hall for record purposes.

The victim then went to Ospital ng Sampaloc for treatment because he didn’t feel well. He lost consciousness at the hospital and was pronounced dead by a doctor.