Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska,  Agency: Newsflash

Philippine police officers who arrested a man for not wearing a face mask have discovered that he is also a suspect in an ongoing murder case.

Local baker Anthony Irinco was arrested in Santa Cruz in the Philippine capital Manila earlier this week for failing to wear a face mask, which has been mandatory since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When officers confirmed his identity, they realised he not only broke health regulations, but was also wanted in an ongoing murder case.

Local media said that Irinco was suspected of being involved in the killing of Vince Toling, his former workmate.

However, the baker denied killing his former colleague and reportedly claimed that another workmate called Ryan was responsible for Toling’s death.

He also said that he did not report the incident to the authorities because he did not know how to go about it.

Irinco told the news show Unang Balita that the pair was arguing when Vince “ran away to get a knife”.

He said that Ryan then grabbed a bread-making tool and “hit him several times”.

Irinco then claims that Ryan picked up the knife and used it to “stab Vince”.

The police are currently trying to track down the other suspect. It is unclear if Irinco remains under investigation.

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