Trader shot by unidentified men

CEBU, Philippines - A Filipino-Chinese trader was seriously injured after he was shot by two motorcycle-riding men at the Taboan Market in Barangay San Nicolas 7am yesterday.

Police identified the victim as Kenneth Co Teo, 37, married, a resident of Barangay Capitol Site. Teo is a dealer of dried fish.

Investigation revealed that Teo had arrived at his warehouse along Tres de Abril Street when the suspects arrived and opened fire, hitting Teo on is lower back. The assailants then sped off towards V. Rama Street. 

Teo was rushed to the Chong Hua Hospital where he is now in stable condition, SPO4 Alex Dacua of the Homicide Section said yesterday.

Dacua said they are still probing the incident as there remains no clear motive behind it.

“Palawman pa ni nato kay suma pa niya, wala man sad daw sya’y kontra. Sa financial sad, wa sad daw sya’y kontra,” Dacua said.

He, however, said that personal conflict might be a motive behind the incident. A month ago, Teo reportedly almost a foot when someone shot him.

“Nagtuo siya nga dili siya ang target kay wa man siya naigo. But with this incident, klaro na nga gi-target siya. But for me, message ni sa iyaha, pahadlok ba kay kung naa ju’y motive na patyon siya, pusilon unta siya makadaghan. Para nako personal kaayo ang motibo ani nga ang biktima ra’y nakahibaw,” Dacua said.

Teo reportedly started taking charge of the business just a month ago. (FREEMAN)