Korean missionary shot dead in predawn holdup

A Korean missionary was shot dead while two Korean nationals were briefly taken as human shields in a predawn robbery in Pasig City on Monday. Radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported that the missionary, identified as Cho Tai Wan, died after sustaining at least two gunshot wounds in the shoulder. The fatality reportedly just fetched at least seven Korean nationals from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was driving them to Cainta, Rizal. However, the unidentified robbers reportedly blocked their path at the eastbound part of Ortigas Extension. The unidentified robbers divested the passengers of their valuables and took as human shields Kim Yang Gan and Kim Jung Suk, but eventually released them. Police are now looking into the possibility the gang may have followed the victims from NAIA, and struck in eastern Metro Manila. Initial investigation showed the suspects reportedly blocked the path of the Chevrolet van (XEV-328) but fired at it repeatedly when the driver refused to get down. Metro Manila deputy chief for administration Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said they already have mobile random checkpoints to stop such holdups. "Ang ating pulis nandoon naman at siguro medyo ... di sila natsatsambahan ng ating kapulisan. Sinisiguro natin ang ating running checkpoint nariyan at mabulaga sila (We have police roving the area. They may have slipped past our checkpoints. We have to be stricter in our checkpoint operations)," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. –VVP, GMANews.TV