Businessman, driver shot in the head

MANILA, Philippines - A businessman and his driver were found dead – each with a bullet hole in the head – by police inside a van in Quezon City Friday night.

The bodies of Ariel Mendoza, 38, of Tondo, Manila and his driver, Mark Martial Orillo, 25, of Novaliches were seen inside Mendoza’s parked silver Hyundai Starex (WGH-159) at past 11 p.m. in Barangay Laging Handa.

Chief Inspector Rodel Marcelo, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Quezon City Police District, said Orillo was in the driver’s seat while Mendoza sat next to him.

He said the van’s engine was still running when police arrived and discovered the bodies.

Village officials were the ones who called up a nearby police station to report a van that was suspiciously parked in the area.

 When policemen arrived, they noticed the two men seated in the front seat and tried to call their attention. After repeated but unanswered calls, police opened the door and found the victims.

According to Marcelo, two victims might have killed elsewhere and were only left there.

Marcelo said they have yet to talk to Mendoza’s family to find out why he and his driver were killed and who killed them.

Police also found inside the van assorted identification cards and three mobile phones of Mendoza.