Another car racer shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - A car racer was shot dead in his auto repair shop in Antipolo City at past noon Wednesday.

Isabelo “Bong” Hilario, 26, was shot seven times in front of witnesses at H3 Autoworks. He died at the scene.

Senior Superintendent Bernabe Balba, Rizal police director, ordered a deeper investigation of the murder of Hilario, who won the 2013 Honda Master Trans Sports Competition.

He was the second car racer to be shot dead by a contract killer this year.

Racing champion Ferdinand “Enzo” Pastor was killed at an intersection in Quezon City last June while he was waiting for the light to change.

A police officer confessed to killing Pastor and identified the masterminds as the victim’s widow and his friend, who were supposedly having an affair. The police officer later recanted.

According to reports reaching Balba, Hilario was talking to a customer when the assailant, arrived at past noon and wanted to have his motorcycle – which had no license plate – fixed.

When Hilario was not looking, the assailant pulled out a .45 caliber pistol and shot the victim repeatedly in the head and body. The assailant left after determining that Hilario was dead.

Witnesses failed to help Hilario immediately for fear that the killer would shoot them, investigators said.

Crime scene investigators recovered seven bullet shells at the crime scene.

Superintendent Arthur Masungsong, Antipolo City police chief, said they are still trying to find out the motive for Hilario’s killing.