Witness shot dead in front of her kids

MANILA, Philippines - A witness in a murder case – a 45-year-old widow – was shot at close range while she was sleeping beside her three children in a shanty at Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila at past midnight yesterday.

Before she died, Elena Miranda was able to tell her children – age 12, 10 and eight – that “Roel” shot her.

Miranda knew Roel because she was a witness in a murder case against him, Senior Police Officer 3 Rodelio Lingcong of the Manila Police District’s homicide division.

Lingcong said it was at around 1 a.m. when Miranda’s neighbors saw Roel, whose surname has yet to be verified by investigators, entering the widow’s house.

“Roel gained entry by destroying a length of nylon cord holding the door closed,” he said.

Roel left after shooting Miranda, Lingcong said.