Thread: Philippines Police Search for Killers of 34-Year-Old New Zealand Tourist

Philippine Police have started a massive search for two men who were riding a motorcycle that shot and killed a New Zealand man in a brazen street robbery that officials fear will deter foreign tourists.


According to Manila Police the 34-year-old New Zealand tourist, Nicholas Peter Stacey, was fatally shot in the chest while attempting to wrest a hand gun from one of two robbers. The two men held him and his Philippine girlfriend up on Sunday in a suburban street in the Makati financial district.


“We regret to report this incident and extend our sympathy to the bereaved family,” Police Major General Estomo said in a statement, adding he had ordered the police to “leave no stone unturned until the culprits are brought to jail and are prosecuted”.

While calling the deadly street robbery a “isolated incident,” Major General Estomo admitted it had the potential to scare foreign tourists.

Major General Estomo, the head of the Metropolitan Manila police, said that police patrols would be increased to prevent a recurrence.

“We understand that this incident may cause fear among tourists planning to visit the Philippines, so we will ensure that the slain tourist receives justice and that the police are always ready to provide service,” Major General Estomo said in a statement.


Pamela Gaye Villanoza, the victim’s girlfriend, told investigators that she and Mr. Stacey had just returned to the capital region from a vacation in the western island province of Palawan and were walking to a laundry shop in the early hours after midnight when the suspects approached on a motorcycle.


One of them got off the motorcycle and pointed a pistol at the couple, while his companion parked the motorcycle a few meters away.


According to her, Mr. Stacey struggled with the armed man and was shot and killed.


Investigators will try to match a slug found in the area with slugs recovered from other recent crime scenes in the densely populated metropolis to identify the suspects and assess how they operated, according to police.

Mr. Stacey’s family in New Zealand has begun an online fundraising campaign to repatriate his body.


Mr Stacey was described by friends and family as “a selfless man” who always put others first, volunteering extensively with his local church group and community.


“Nick was generous with his time and resources and always acted with integrity,” according to his family.


“He loved to serve and was a popular children’s church leader… and was always the first to volunteer when assistance was required.


“It is absolutely heartbreaking to lose such a young, kind-hearted, selfless, and loving man.”


The gunman, who was dressed in a black shirt and red athletic shorts, he stole Mr Stacey’s girlfriend’s phone and wallet before fleeing, according to police.

Philippines Police Search For Killers Of 34-Year-Old New Zealand Tourist

Fucking hell. They will be absolutely mortified about that happening in Makati.

But still

fatally shot in the chest while attempting to wrest a hand gun from one of two robbers.

Not worth trying to play the hero.

^and why did they go to a laundry shop in the early hours of the morning? Their dirty clothes couldn't wait until daylight to be laundered?!

RIP to the family and loved ones of the NZ guy. He was still young & at the prime of his life. But for me, it was foolish of them to go walking about at that time. The GF should've known better.

Also, if you're confronted with a gun like that, give your phone, money, etc. Those things are not worth losing one's life over...

Originally Posted by katie23

^and why did they go to a laundry shop in the early hours of the morning? Their dirty clothes couldn't wait until daylight to be laundered?!

RIP to the family and loved ones of the NZ guy. He was still young & at the prime of his life. But for me, it was foolish of them to go walking about at that time. The GF should've known better.

Also, if you're confronted with a gun like that, give your phone, money, etc. Those things are not worth losing one's life over...

But still, the news that armed robbers are roaming the streets of Makati will not go unnoticed.

I expect they flood the place with patrols for a few weeks until it disappears from the headlines.

Suspect in killing of New Zealand tourist surrenders to police
Published February 24, 2023 6:49am
Updated February 24, 2023 9:17pm

A suspect in the February 19 killing of a New Zealand tourist in Makati City is already in police custody, Unang Balita reported on Friday. Accompanied by his family members, the suspect, John Mhar Manalo, surrendered to the police in Pasig City early Friday morning.
Manalo was identified by three witnesses as the one who shot victim Nicholas Peter Stacey during a robbery attempt. He surrendered hours after the police named him as one of the two suspects in the killing. Manalo denied involvement in the killing of Stacey but is the subject of a warrant of arrest in connection with a separate robbery incident that occurred in Bulacan.
Meanwhile, the police continued to conduct a follow-up operation on the motorcycle rider, who is said to be the suspect's accomplice.


Philippine Daily Inquirer : Just hours after his “wanted” poster was published and a P500,000 bounty was put on his head, the suspect behind the killing of a tourist from New Zealand in Makati City over the weekend surrendered to authorities early on Friday. But John Mar Manalo, 25, denied he was the one who held up and shot dead Nicholas Peter Stacey.
“I did not commit any crime. I did not kill anyone. I am not the person you are pointing to,” he said.
At least five witnesses have positively identified Manalo as the one who gunned down Stacey, including the victim’s Filipino partner Pamela Gaye Villanoza, based on the photo of Manalo in the police rogue’s gallery.
But Manalo said that during the time of the crime, he was asleep at their home as he had just been to Calatagan, Batangas, with witnesses corroborating his alibi.

Manalo denied involvement in the killing of Stacey

Bullshit, but he was obviously aware of the potential consequences of the police catching up with him.