AN Arab man died after he was shot by one of two thieves when he tried to alert a policeman while he was being held up in Tondo, Manila yesterday.

Faiz Zhaheen, 45, a businessman, and resident of 1019 Solis St., Tondo, succumbed to a gunshot wound in his chest. He died at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

SPO2 Renato Viray, desk officer of the Manila Police District station 7, said the incident took place at 11 a.m. in front of the Lakandula Elementary School on Solis Street, Tondo.

The foreigner and his alleged lover, Leah Mendriano Pusing, were reportedly riding a motorcycle when two motorcycle-riding men got near them and announced a hold-up.

“Dinikitan nila ‘yung motorsiklo ng biktima at agad silang tinutukan ng baril,” Viray said.

Pusing yielded her gold bracelet and necklace but the Arab shouted for help when he saw a policeman in the area. PO2 Carlo Hernandez was on his way to Camp Crame when he chanced upon the commotion.

“Police, hold-up!” the victim was heard as shouting before he was gunned down by one of the robbers.

One of the suspects sped off on board the motorcycle, leaving his cohort who engaged Hernandez in a shootout.

The policeman failed to hit the suspect who managed to escape.                                Jerico Javier