Businessman kills self in front of ex-girlfriend

MANILA, Philippines - A 35-year-old businessman died after reportedly shooting himself in front of his ex-girlfriend while they were in a car in Caloocan City Thursday night.

Roderick Manuel and Edelweis Flores were cruising in Morning Breeze Subdivision in a black Ford Everest when, at the corner of Loreta and Gen. Tinio streets, Manuel suddenly pulled out a gun and shot himself in the head at around 9 p.m., city police chief Superintendent Bernard Tambaoan said.

Manuel slumped on the steering wheel as the car continued to run. The Everest hit another car before ending up at a construction site, Tambaoan said.

Flores told police she jumped out of the car and shouted for help. She attracted the attention of Barangay 134 Councilor Renato Reyes, who pulled the victim out of the vehicle and brought him to the MCU Hospital. Manuel was pronounced dead just before 1 a.m.

According to Tambaoan, Flores said she and Manuel have separated but did not say why they were together Thursday night.

Investigators recovered a shell and a caliber .45 pistol in the vehicle.

Flores, meanwhile, was subjected to a paraffin test to determine if she fired the gun.