Beauty titlist's aunt gunned down

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines  – A businesswoman-aunt of Bb. Pilipinas International Melody Gersbach was gunned down on Wednesday night, as she was about to enter the gate of her house at the Imperial Ridge View Subdivision in Barangay Buragwis this city.

Senior Superintendent Edgar Ardales, city police chief, said they were still determining the motive behind the killing of Maribel Antonette “Bing” Gonzales, 44, younger sister of Gersbach’s mother.

Ardales said though they were taking a cue from the fact that Gonzales’ two assailants, one of whom acted as lookout, were determined to kill her, shooting her at close range at least six times with a caliber .45 pistol.

Ardales said the testimony of a boy who witnessed the shooting could be a big help, but added that he was still in a state of shock.

Gonzales owned a chain of bars and restaurants here and in nearby Daraga town. She was the president of the stall owners’ organization at the Capitol Annex building where she operated a business, and was a past president of the Jaycees and Rotary Club West here.