Trader, daughter killed in Antipolo ambush

MANILA, Philippines - A businessman and his seven-year-old daughter were killed in an ambush in Antipolo City yesterday.

Richard Sola, who owns a travel agency, suffered gunshot wounds in the head, right hand and back while his daughter, Rica, was hit in the head. Both died at the scene.

Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba, Rizal police director, said they are eyeing a grudge as the motive for the killing.

“I know the elder victim appeared at the barangay hall recently and filed a complaint,” Balba said.

Balba said the victims and a certain Rowelyn Encarnacion left their residence at 7:30 a.m. in Barangay San Jose in a blue Ford Escape (WTQ-116) to bring the girl to Dalig Elementary School, where she was a Grade 1 pupil.

Upon reaching E. Rodriguez street in Sitio Parugan, two men on a motorcycle blocked the victims’ vehicle and opened fire.

Encarnacion, who was in the back seat, was unharmed.

The gunmen fled toward Circumferential Road.

Balba said responding police recovered nine bullet shells from a caliber .45 pistol at the scene.

He said he ordered Antipolo City police chief Superintendent Arthur Masungsong to conduct a follow-up operation.