Slain Chinese in Manila identified as drug informant

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District is looking at illegal drugs as a possible motive for the killing of two Chinese men near the MPD headquarters last Saturday.

One of the victims, Yan Yi Shou, 35, was the informant who was arrested along with Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino during a drug bust in 2016. The charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Yan and Wuhuai Hong, 30, were arrested for being drunk and creating trouble in the Grand Opera Hotel, where Hong worked as a warehouseman, and then attacking police officers who responded to the scene. The two were brought to the MPD and released on bail.

Minutes after leaving the MPD compound, the two men were shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants.

In a television interview, Marcelino said he was saddened by the death of Yan, who he said was a good friend and informant.

A source at the MPD told The STAR “it was possible that the drug syndicate silenced the two after they were arrested because they knew too much.”