ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least two lending collectors were robbed and killed when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen in a remote village of Kalawit town, Zamboanga del Norte, according to police.
The police identified the victims as Noel Daarol, 30, and Remar Cano, both natives of Tampilisan and Liloy towns, respectively , and collectors of Duane Jhon Lending Corp. based in Liloy town.
Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, spokesman of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said investigation disclosed the victims were on board their service motorcycle following collecting dues andd were bound for Kalawit town proper when they were ambushed by three unidentified suspects armed with M-16 rifle and .45 caliber pistols about 10 a.m. in sitio Pulo Langan, Barangay Poblacion.
The victims fell on the ground and died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds before the suspects carted all the day collections of the victims. The gunmen then escaped toward unknown direction.
Responding policemen failed to catch up with the suspect but recovered from the ambush site some of the spent shells of the firearms used by the gunmen.