Ex-jailbird slain in Malate

A month after being released from jail, a 40-year-old man was shot dead in Malate, Manila, before dawn Tuesday.

Jul Damil, who had worked as a house painter since regaining his freedom, was shot in the head pointblank by a gunman who attacked on F. Munoz Street in Singalong. The victim was declared dead on arrival at Ospital ng Maynila.

The victim’s wife, Lolita, told the Manila police that they had just finished eating dinner when Damil went out of the house to visit his friend “Aweng,” who lived a few blocks away from their home.

Investigators are looking at revenge as a possible motive for the killing. According to Lolita, Damil was released from jail just last month, after being charged for his involvement in a riot that left a man dead in their neighborhood in 2007.—Maricar B. Brizuela