Police launch manhunt for Iranian tagged in killing of businesswoman in Manila

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila police have established the identity of the Iranian suspect in the killing of a businesswoman in August and are seeking the public’s help for information on his whereabouts.

Case investigator, SPO2 Glenzor Antonio Vallejo said Seyed Amir Hossein Masoumzadeh, 25, who has been accused of beating to death his 55-year-old girlfriend Virgilia Francisco, had not showed up at school and his residence since the killing.

Vallejo said police obtained a photo of Masoumzadeh from the University of Santo Tomas, where the suspect was taking pharmacy before he transferred to National University. Masoumzadeh was staying at 751 Revolco building along F. Cayco Street, Sampaloc, Manila.

Francisco, who ran a silver accessories business, was discovered dead at 1:45 a.m. on August 10 at Room 103 of the University Belt-Marina Hotel and Restaurant on Morayta Steet in Sampaloc. According to the hotel manager, Francisco checked in with a foreigner who left 30 minutes after.

The victim’s son, Jonathan Navarro, 27, said Masoumzadeh (whom he had known only as “Frank”) even called him to ask about Francisco and he lied that his mother was just somewhere else to bait the suspect. When Navarro asked to meet with him, Masoumzadeh went into hiding.

In a text message to Senior Insp. Ismael dela Cruz, deputy chief of the Manila Police District Homicide Division, a Bureau of Immigration source said Masoumzadeh had not left the country since his arrival on Nov. 26, 2010.

“We are asking the help of the public for information that will lead to his arrest,” Senior Insp. Joselito de Ocampo, the MPD homicide division chief, said.