Tondo shootings kill 2; girl critical for head wound

MANILA, Philippines–A former barangay (village) chair and a tricycle driver were shot dead while a 9-year-old girl was seriously wounded in an attack by still unknown assailants Monday afternoon in Tondo, Manila.

The Manila Police District (MPD) identified the slain victims as Eli Salauib, 65, a former village chair in Parola Compound; and Engie Surigao, 39. Surigao’s 9-year-old daughter Akisha remained in critical condition at press time.

The shooting happened around 1 p.m. near Parola’s Gate 17, Area D, according to SPO1 Rommel del Rosario, the MPD officer on the case.

An initial investigation showed that Salauib was on a motorcycle heading to Del Pan when two men started shooting at him. The gunmen initially missed him but apparently hit one of the bike’s tires, which burst and slowed Salauib down as he approached Gate 17.

The shooters then moved for a closer shot and again opened fire, but instead they hit the Surigaos who were then getting off a tricycle nearby. It was on their third volley of shots that they hit Salauib, killing him on the spot.

Salauib was hit six times in the body while Engie took a bullet to the neck. Akisha was taken to Gat Andres Bonifacio Hospital for a gunshot wound in the head.

Salauib served as barangay chair from 2000 to 2006. The motive for the attack remained under investigation.–Nathaniel R. Melican