Religious conflict eyed in Indian couple's ambush

MANILA, Philippines - Police are eyeing religious conflict as a possible motive for the ambush of an Indian couple in Sampaloc, Manila last Saturday.

Investigators said they are ruling out robbery since the armed suspects – possibly hired gunmen – did not take cash or valuables from Gurbreet Singh, 37, and his wife, Kanwaldeep Kaur, 35, who are engaged in the money-lending business.

Probers are set to question Kaur at the United Doctors Medical Center, where she is reportedly still under sedation following an operation for a gunshot wound in the body.

“The wife’s testimony shall be vital in establishing the possible motive for the ambush as well as the identification of the gunmen,” Manila Police District’s homicide section head Chief Inspector Alberto Peco said.

Investigators found that the couple was collecting payments from clients along Dos Castillas street in Sampaloc at past 5 p.m. when two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle shot at the victims, who were about to board their motorcycle.

Singh was hit four times in the body and was declared dead on arrival at the Ospital ng Sampaloc. – Nestor Etolle