Vegetable trader shot dead

CEBU, Philippines – A vegetable trader was shot dead by unidentified persons while he and his assistant were celebrating the New Year inside his house in Barangay Nalhub, Dalaguete town.

Paterno “Toming” Amancio was at the living room of his house celebrating the New Year with Bienvenido Pial when one of the assailants entered the house and shot the victim in the head several times.

Pial said they were having their media noche past 1 a.m. when he heard gunshots. He later saw his boss fell on the floor.

The family of the victim immediately called for police assistance but the culprit has already fled before the police arrived. Police investigators found two empty shells for 9mm pistol near the window.

Witnesses allegedly noticed two motorcycles fleeing from the area after the gunfire. Personal grudge is being looked into as possible motive in the killing.  —/FPL (FREEMAN)