Jeepney rob suspect found dead

MANILA, Philippines -  A heavily tattooed man who was allegedly behind a series of robberies involving jeepney passengers was found dead from gunshot wounds in Ermita, Manila Tuesday night.

Police said the body of Frederick Suay, 30, known among his peers as “Sungay (horn),” was discovered by a scavenger beside the entrance of the National Museum.

Senior Police Officer 2 Virgo Villareal said bystanders told him Suay reportedly led a three-man group preying on jeepney passengers along Taft Avenue, and had been charged with robbery in the past.

There were reports that the tourist police arrested Suay for vagrancy two days before his death. However, Villareal said the victim could have given a fictitious name since his name does not appear on the police blotter at the tourist police outpost in Ermita.

Villareal also refused to confirm that the killing was the work of a vigilante group out to exterminate criminals in Manila. “We have no solid evidence on the existence of such group,” Villareal told The STAR. – Nestor Etolle, Sandy Araneta