3 guards beat 69-year-old colleague to death

MANILA, Philippines - Police have launched a manhunt against three security guards who allegedly beat to death a 69-year-old colleague in Sampaloc, Manila Friday night.

Loreto Garcia, employed by Mighty Guardian Security Agency, succumbed to multiple head injuries at the United Doctors Medical Center.

Garcia was detailed at the vacant two-story Angeles building, previously occupied by a bank branch, along España Boulevard, according to homicide section chief Inspector Armando Macaraeg.

A witness who is in police custody said he saw three men wearing security guard uniforms arrive at the building, beat up the victim, then drag him out of the building.

The witness identified a certain “Castro” as one of Garcia’s alleged attackers. He said he knows Castro because he supplies sex workers to the suspect, especially when he is drunk. On Friday night, the witness said Castro, who was drunk, ordered him to provide him a sex worker before he and two other guards from a nearby building proceeded to Garcia’s place.

The victim’s son, Roberto, who corroborated the witness’ claim, said his father told him Castro had been harboring ill feelings against him.

“My father told their boss about Castro stealing copper wires from the building they were guarding,” Roberto said. Garcia and Castro take turns every 24 hours in guarding the empty building.      

Macaraeg said investigators are also looking at a labor dispute as another possible motive for the slaying.

Police learned Garcia had won a labor case he filed against his former employer, who is reportedly asking for an amicable settlement. Garcia and his employer are supposed to have their final meeting on Sept. 23.