Ex-bank exec killed at CCP

A retired bank executive was shot dead while he was parking his car at the recreation area of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex in Pasay City early yesterday.

Police said Benjamin Beltran, 52, a resident Baclaran, Parañaque City, died on the spot after being shot in the jaw. He sustained another gunshot wound in his right hand.

His companion, identified as Eliane Lunar, 35, was hit in the right thigh and right arm. She was immediately rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital for treatment.

Initial investigation conducted by the Station Investigation Unit of the Pasay police revealed that Beltran had just parked his green Mitsubishi Lancer (PJJ-633) near Tanghalang Balagtas, formerly Folk Arts Theater, at around 6:45 a.m. when a motorcycle stopped beside the vehicle.

On board the motorcycle were two men wearing helmets.

One of them alighted, pulled out a handgun and fired successive shots at the occupants of the car.

Police Officer 2 Alberto Sombilon said the gunman then walked away and got back on the motorcycle, which sped off toward Roxas Boulevard.

Investigators found four spent shells from a caliber 9 mm pistol inside the victims’ car. Lunar told investigators that the suspect fired at least five shots.

Beltran’s wife, Nila, later arrived at the crime scene and told police that her husband left the house early to go jogging, which he usually did every Saturday.

Sombilon said they would conduct a deeper investigation into the case to determine the suspects’ motive in the killing.

"Based on the survivor’s statements, it appears the suspects were hired killers," he said.