MetroBriefs: Drug convict identifies ‘killer’ before dying

A 40-YEAR-OLD drug convict was killed in what the police said could be another drug transaction gone wrong in Pasay City on Monday.

Senior Supt. Joel Doria, the city’s chief of police, said the killing of Christopher Pacayra of Barangay Sto. Niño took place six months following his release from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City after he finished serving a 12-year sentence for selling methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu.”

According to Doria, Pacayra —a member of the Sige Sige Sputnik Gang—was standing in an alley on Langka Street, Barangay Sto. Niño when a man suddenly approached him and shot him several times before noon.

“The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction,” Doria said.

The police official said responding policemen rushed Pacayra to the Pasay City General Hospital.

When asked who shot him, Doria said Pacayra “repeatedly” told the police it was “Alex Muslim.”

“After that, he lost consciousness. He was declared dead at 1:29 p.m.,” Doria added. Police found eight cartridges from a .45-caliber pistol and four slugs from the same caliber at the crime scene. Based on their initial investigation, the police official said “Alex Muslim” had been tagged as a suspect in the attempted shooting of Pacayra two months ago.

The witnesses who initially implicated the suspect in the crime later refused to testify for fear for their lives.

The police official said authorities were now talking to barangay officials to try to determine who Alex Muslim was. Kristine Felisse Mangunay

2-year-old girl hospitalized for electric shock

A 2-YEAR-OLD girl ended up in the hospital for electric shock after her hand came into contact with some Christmas lights at a mall in Quezon City, according to the police.

The girl’s father, Rodolfo dela Rosa, 30, a resident of Barangay Silangan, told the Masambong police that the incident happened around 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the second floor of SM North Edsa.

He said that after his daughter leaned against a railing decorated with Christmas lights, she screamed as her hand turned black.

The complainant added that the Christmas lights’ plug also seemed burnt. The victim was brought to the Capitol Medical Center where she was still undergoing treatment as of Tuesday.

The complainant and mall management were in talks regarding the incident, Masambong station commander Supt. Christian dela Cruz said on Tuesday.

In a statement sent to the Inquirer, the SM management said it was looking into the matter to prevent similar accidents in the future.

“The 2-year-old girl who sustained injuries on her fingers was given first aid treatment administered at the mall clinic,” it said, adding that “she was later brought to a nearby hospital for further examination and treatment and is now in good condition.” Erika Sauler

Body of teenager recovered from Malabon creek

THE BODY of a 14-year-old boy was recovered by rescuers on Tuesday after he drowned in a creek at Barangay Catmon, Malabon City.

Mark Joseph Escoro, an out-of-school youth, was discovered by Coast Guard personnel around 12:30 p.m. He was reported missing by his father Joselito, at 4 p.m. the day before.

His body was brought to a funeral home while an autopsy was ongoing to rule out foul play, according to case investigator PO3 Alexander dela Cruz. Jodee A. Agoncillo