2 dead, 4 hurt in Bocaue shooting, grenade blast

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Two persons were killed and four others wounded in a shooting and grenade explosion in Bocaue town Sunday night.

Businessman Mario Mendoza, 37, and his friend identified only as Goymon, died on the spot.

Raul Samonte, 48; Valeriano Nicolas, 46; Reynaldo de la Cruz, 32; and Alberto Alberto, 36, were rushed to a nearby hospital.

Investigators said the shooting occurred at around 8 p.m. in Barangay Caingin.

Mendoza’s son told journalists that his father and his friends were having a drinking session to celebrate the blessing of their new house when a man, whose face was covered with a bonnet, barged into the compound and started shooting.

Witnesses said the gunman lobbed a grenade before he fled on a motorcycle.

Police said they are still trying to determine the motive for the killing.

Mendoza reportedly received death threats prior to the incident.

His family members said their house was also strafed before Christmas and one of his stepdaughters was kidnapped two months ago.

 At least seven shells from a caliber .45 pistol, six slugs, and a  grenade fragment were recovered at the scene.