Bank employee robbed, killed

MANILA, Philippines - A bank employee was strangled by still unidentified suspects who fled with his belongings yesterday morning in Valenzuela City.

Case officer SPO3 Richie Garcia said the body of Cris Dumo, 22, a computer encoder at the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)-Makati branch, was found at the second floor of his house in Barangay Gen. T. de Leon at 7:30 a.m.

A black scarf, which police said owned by the victim, was found looped around his neck while his bag, mobile phone and money were missing.

The victim’s neighbor, Nonilon Magalong Jr., 37, told police that prior to the killing, Dumo had a drinking session with some male friends Tuesday night.

Magalong said the victim left his drinking buddies and returned shortly after with a male companion described as fair-skinned with straight hair and wearing checkered short pants and red polo shirt.

The next day, he said he was surprised to learn from their neighbors that Dumo was found dead in his room.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor ordered a thorough probe on the incident. He also instructed his men to invite for questioning the persons last seen with the victim.

Garcia said they are eyeing robbery as the possible motive in the killing although he said they are not ruling out other angles. – Pete Laude, Jerry Botial