Muslim brods shot in Quiapo; 1 dead, another critically hurt

Police investigators are now facing a blank wall on the motive for the fatal shooting of a Mindanao native and the wounding of his brother in Quiapo, Manila Friday morning following the refusal of the victims’ families to cooperate in the investigation.

The cadaver of the shooting victim identified as Junior Basher, 25, of 911 Hidalgo st., Quiapo was immediately retrieved by his wife at the hospital and refused it to be autopsied by authorities. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the body.

Officer-on-case SPO2 Edison Bertoldo said it was a Muslim custom not to "touch" the body of their dead relatives. His wife also kept mum on the background information on her dead husband, according to investigators.

Basher’s brother Abdul Asis, 36, of 843 Globo de Oro st., Quiapo, also refused to talk to investigators at his ward at the University of Sto. Tomas hospital. He sustained a bullet wound in the body.

Investigation showed that at about 7:30 a.m. the two brothers were seen conversing in front of Junior’s residence when at least five armed men came from nowhere and started shooting at the victims.

Police said Junior could be the real target of the gunmen since they continued firing at the fatality even when he was already slumped on the ground. Witnesses said the suspects fled on board an unmarked car after the shooting.

Police recovered eight empty shells from a caliber .45 pistol and another empty shell from an undetermined caliber.

Residents interviewed by The STAR said a botched drug deal could have been the motive for the slaying.