Batangas couple gunned down

BATANGAS, Philippines  – A day after the implementation of the total gun ban by the Commission on Elections, a couple was shot dead in San Pascual town early Monday morning, police said.

Senior Superintendent Alberto Supapo, newly installed Batangas police director, said Eupronio Cordero, 69, and his wife, Tarcela, 83, were about to go to their grocery store aboard a Toyota Tamaraw when they were waylaid by two motorcycle-riding men a few meters away from their house in Barangay Palsahingin.

Police said Cordero died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds from a caliber .38 revolver, while his wife Tarcela died while being treated at the Bejasa Hospital in Bauan town.

Probers said a land dispute or business rivalry could be behind the killing. – Arnell Ozaeta, Ed Amoroso