A suspected member of the Commando gang was apparently tortured before killed by still unidentified suspects in Tondo, Manila, the police confirmed on Saturday.
The victim was identified by the Manila Police District (MPD) Homicide Section as Vincent Antonio, 27, a resident of Saint Nicholas Subdivision, Bantug Norte, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
A witness, Rodolfo Isidro, told investigators that he heard the victim screaming in pain from a beating, followed by gunshots. When he peeked out, he saw the victim lying lifeless and unresponsive.
The reported incident occurred at around 4:45 a.m. along Magsaysay Street, corner of Sampaloc Street, Barangay 120.
Police are conducting a follow-up investigation, including CCTV backtracking, to identify the suspects and determine the motive.
As this developed, operatives of the Manila Police District Special Operations Unit arrested a wanted drug suspect during a manhunt operation Friday morning in Balut, Tondo, Manila.
Police identified the suspect as Joselito Formento y Fortuno, 40, a barangay marshal residing in Barangay 128, Balut, Tondo.
Fortuno is listed among the most wanted persons at the district level by the MPD.
His arrest was based on a warrant issued by Judge Gwyn P. Calina of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 44 on 21 May for the service of sentence for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Section 11(3) of Republic Act 9165).
He was detained at the MPD custodial facility pending return of the warrant to the court of origin.