A retired United States Marine soldier died inside his residence in Tagaytay City in the northern Philippine province of Cavite on Christmas eve after being attacked by unidentified robbers or a robber, police said Sunday.

James Thomas Kakara, 61, a war veteran whose left leg had been amputated, was alone when attacked at his residence at Kaybagal South village, said Cavite police director Senior Supt. John Bulalacao.

The body of Kakara, who had been residing in Tagaytay City for a long time, was found around 9:30 a.m. Sunday with injuries apparently caused by a lead pipe that the suspects or suspect used, said Bulalacao, quoting initial investigation conducted by the Scene of the Crime Office (SOCO).

"He (Kakara) was alone at home at that time because his (Filipina) wife and the rest of the members of the family were out in Nasugbu (a town in Batangas province) for an overnight party and the following day, the American national was found dead," said Bulalacao.

Bulacacao could not immediately say how many suspects were involved. "None yet. It's currently being investigated by the chief of police of Tagaytay and there are no witnesses coming out. Right now, as of this date, as of this time, our investigators are having difficulty in coming up with definitive angle or modus operandi," he said.

The robbers or robber allegedly carted away a black shoulder bag containing around 206,000 pesos (4,716 U.S. dollars), a mobile phone and a laptop computer, police said.