OCTOBER 7, 1967: ACTOR [ALBERTO] ALONZO SHOT DEAD

Only 23, young and promising, Alberto Alonzo, moviedom’s Agent 69, was shot dead. Alonzo had made movies ala-James Bond (Agent 69, Dolls for Hire, The Experts) and had a one-hour TV weekly series “Target Agent 69.” Isn’t it ironic that the actor who made a living acting out James Bond roles should die in a movie-like atmosphere (in a dimly lit nightclub at the wee hours of the morning) unarmed? That was one time when Agent 69 was “outmaneuvered,” to quote a daily columnist that time.

Here’s the news account on that fateful day from The Manila Times.

ACTOR ALONZO SHOT DEAD
PARANAQUE, Rizal Oct.6 --- The police filed murder charges today against Armando Trinidad, Jr., who allegedly shot to death movie and TV actor Alberto Alonzo shortly after 3 am today in the Amihan nightclub on Roxas blvd. in Baclaran, this town. Alonzo, whose real name is Eduardo Alonzo y Soriano, 23, single, of 253 D. Tuazon st., Quezon City, was super spy Agent 69 on the screen. He died on arrival at the San Juan de Dios hospital. Alonzo suffered bullet wounds in the upper chest, head and buttocks. Wounded were Pat. Ricardo Valdez, 33, of the local police force, and Trinidad, 26, of 2143 Manuel Carreon st., Sta. Ana. Both Trinidad and Valdez are still confined at the San Juan de Dios Hospital. Trinidad was hit in the right thigh while Valdez sustained a wound in left thigh.

Witnesses said Alonzo was shot at close range while seated at a table near the railing of the elevated portion of the club. Alonzo was with a companion, Melchor Ramos, 22, a student, of 9115 Banuyo st., San Antonio Vilage, Makati, and two women identified as Celia Mendiola, 29, of No. 2 Ideal st., Mandaluyong and Teresita Santos 20, of the same address. Ramos, said that Alonzo, the girls and he were chatting when the suspect came from behind, and without any warning, fired at the actor, hitting him in the chest. Instinctively, Alonzo stood up but collapsed. Witnesses said that as Alonzo fell, the suspect continued to pump bullets into his body. After shooting Alonzo, Trinidad tried to flee from the club. However, Valdez blocked the way of Trinidad. Trinidad ran back into the hall. In one corner of the hall Valdez cornered Trinidad. As Trinidad and Valdez grappled with each other, shots rang out. When the lights were switched on, Valdez and Trinidad were seen limping. They were both hit in the thigh. Valdez said it was Trinidad who shot him. Trinidad refused to give any statement. Capt. Antonio P. Abaya, commander of the 221 PC company and Capt. Tomas Manlongat, officer-in-charge of the PC controlled police department, theorized that a grudge motivated the shooting.

It was gathered that Leni Trinidad, an actress and sister of the suspect, filed a charge of physical injuries against Alonzo last May 28, 1967. The charge stemmed from a beating the actress allegedly received from Alonzo. In her complaint, the actress charged that she was beaten up by Alonzo in a car and later, in a motel in Pasay City. However, the case was dismissed in the fiscal’s office after the actress signed an affidavit saying that she was not pressing her charge.

The Manila Times / October 7, 1967

Labo-Labo (1964)- Stars Jess Lapid, Jun Aristorenas, Tony Ferrer
and Alberto Alonzo / Directed by Armando Garces

Karate sa Karate (1965) - Stars Bernard Bonnin, Alberto Alonzo, Lyn D'Amour, Bessie Barredo and Vic Silayan/ Directed by George E. Rowe

Hari ng Lansangan (1965)- Stars Alberto Alonzo, Max Alvarado, Bessie Barredo, Margie Tanquintic and Helen Thompson/ Directed by George E. Rowe

Wanted: Johnny L (1966)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Gina Alonzo,
Alberto Alonzo and Eddie Fernandez

The Experts (1967)- Stars Alberto Alonzo, Eddie Garcia, Rod Navarro, Joe Sison/ Directed by Abelardo Cortez