4 boys ambush man in front of Malabon mall

MANILA, Philippines - Four teenage boys in basketball jerseys shot dead a man who accompanied his partner to work at a mall in Malabon City shortly before noon yesterday.

Jempie Montallana, 28, was riding his motorcycle and about to leave the parking lot in front of the Malabon City Square when he was attacked at around 11:10 a.m., city police chief Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Ampil said. The boys, after shooting him at close range, fled on foot toward Letre Road in Barangay Tonsuya.

His partner, Joy Malayo, 25, who works at a cosmetics outlet at the mall, became hysterical upon learning of Montallana’s death. She told police that her partner was hunted by a leftist urban hit squad and that he used to live in Sitio 6, Barangay Catmon but had to move to Mapulang Lupa in Valenzuela City because of threats to his life.

Investigators recovered shells fired from .45 caliber and 9mm pistols at the crime scene.

The motive for his killing has yet to be established. Ampil said they are looking into the victim’s possible involvement in illegal activities as he was reportedly a Sigue Sigue Sputnik Gang member.

He said the victim regularly accompanies his partner to work and he could have been monitored by his killers.

Investigators found that Montallana’s wallet and motorcycle keys were missing and could have been taken by his attackers.

A Land Transportation Office official receipt found in the motorcycle’s compartment bore the name of Alfredo Baldoz of Bacoor, Cavite as the owner of the motorcycle used by the victim. Ampil ordered his men to check with the LTO to determine whether the motorcycle was stolen.