Killer's body found under Tondo bridge

MANILA, Philippines - The body of the killer of a jeepney barker finally surfaced underneath a bridge in Tondo, Manila yesterday, nearly 24 hours since his last ditch attempt to escape a mob by jumping into the water.

Wilson Gallano, 22, single, a pedicab driver, of Navotas, was identified by his relatives after his body was retrieved in the waters under the Infanta bridge in Balut, Tondo.

Police said Gallano was positively identified by witnesses as the one who shot Dante Geronimo, 48, who was then sleeping on a bench outside his house in Romana street, Tondo, Monday night.

Witnesses reportedly noticed Gallano roaming along Romana street shortly before the shooting. After finding Geronimo who was then sleeping, Gallano reportedly shot Geronimo once in the head. Bystanders who witnessed the shooting chased Gallano who jumped into the waters off Infanta bridge. Some witnesses claimed they saw the suspect shot himself while submerged in the muddy waters.

Geronimo was rushed at the Tondo Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police said Gallano sustained a gunshot wound in the head. However, the gun used in both shootings was not retrieved by authorities.

Inspector Armando Maca­ra­eg who heads the homicide section of the Manila Police District said the motive for the shooting remained unclear though he considered the case closed with the death of the suspect.