Third handcuffed body dumped in QC

MANILA, Philippines - A taxi driver was handcuffed and gunned down in Quezon City yesterday before dawn, the third such killing recorded by local police since the start of the year.

The body of Rafael Dorosan, 44, was found along Daculan street in Sitio San Roque, Barangay Bagong Pag-asa at around 2:30 a.m.

A witness told police she was awakened by gunshots and she saw the victim lying face down on the ground.

Police recovered seven fired cartridge cases and a cartridge at the crime scene.

This is the second handcuffed corpse abandoned in the same barangay in less than two months.

The body of 17-year-old Rodel San Andres was found in front of a church along Camia street last Feb. 2, according to Senior Inspector Elemer Monsalve, head of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) homicide division.

San Andres had handcuffs on his right ankle and he had been shot behind the ear.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, QCPD director, said the two incidents are linked and could have been perpetrated by the same group, which is allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

Police Officer 3 Jerald Paguinto was tagged in the killing of Julito Ramos, who was found handcuffed outside the Manila North Cemetery earlier this month.

Murder charges have been filed against Paguinto, the second case against him in his 15 years in service.