Businessman murdered by fellow businessman

Business rivalry was believed to have cost the life of a businessman who was shot by a fellow businessman in barangay Poblacion, Lapu-Lapu City Sunday evening.

SPO2 Rolito Jumao-as, investigator at the Homicide Section of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Station, identified the victim as Oscar Sampurna, 30, of B. M. Dimataga Street, barangay Poblacion.

The suspect, who is still at large, was identified as Luminog Makaalad, also of barangay Poblacion. Both Sampurna and Makaalad were engaged in buy-and-sell business in Lapu-Lapu City.

Initial investigation conducted by Jumao-as disclosed that Sampurna was standing at the vicinity of the city auditorium when the suspect appeared from behind and shot the victim several times.

Sampurna, who sustained gunshot wounds in his breast and other parts of his body, was killed on the spot.

Minutes later, after hearing a burst of gunfire, residents nearby saw a man lying beside the road with gunshot wound in his chest. Jumao-as said residents in the area failed to identify the victim.

According to Jumao-as, the man was in his early 20s with 5'5" in height. He wore black maong pants and red shoes, and sported a tattoo in his right forehead.

The police investigator said they are now investigating as to whether the two killings were related to each other.

Although Sampurna's relatives said they did not know the second victim, they were sure that the suspect in the killing of Sampurna was Makaalad because of their business conflict. - Jose P. Sollano