Killer targeting Manila’s sex workers?

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) is looking into the possibility that there is a “serial killer” targeting sex workers after a “pickup girl” was murdered in a Sta. Cruz motel over the weekend, an official said yesterday.

Investigators are looking for a certain Michael, a loiterer who gained the monicker Murder Boy “for his vicious tendencies.” Michael is also known “for his propensity to commit sadistic acts with hookers after their rendezvous,” according to Senior Inspector Steve Casimiro, who heads the MPD’s homicide division.

He said they have recorded three to four similar incidents in the past. The latest, before Sunday’s murder, was last month in a Sta. Mesa motel, Casimiro said.

“We want to know if all of them are connected and perpetrated by one person,” he said.

On Sunday, Sheila Halili, 28, was found naked on the floor of the bathroom in one of the rooms of Carport Inn. Case investigator Senior Police Officer 2 Glenzor Vallejo said a bloodstained rock was found near Halili’s head.

“Cursory examination of the cadaver showed hematoma on her left face, her head was cracked, probably smashed, by the stone,” Vallejo’s report read.

He added that Halili’s head may have also been hit against the bathroom wall, as indicated by bloodstains on the wall. “The blanket with dried blood and pillows atop the bed were in disarray indicating that physical struggle occurred,” he said.

According to Vallejo, Michael frequented the inn. Michael and Halili, meanwhile, checked into the inn at around 11 p.m. Saturday.

Three hours later, Michael left. Following the motel’s policy, room checker Michael Fabillar went to Halili’s room to inform her about the check-out time. He knocked on the door several times, but Halili did not respond.

Fabillar forced the door open and found Halili’s body, Vallejo said.