German hotel exec shot dead in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - An unidentified attacker shot and killed a German man working for the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City yesterday morning.

Sergio Mazza, 38, food and beverage executive assistant manager, was shot at close range at about 7:30 a.m. while walking to work from his apartment close to the hotel, Makati City police chief Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio said.

“We have three witnesses who initially told us a lone gunman using a .22 pistol did the killing,” he said, adding that two of the bullets hit Mazza in the face and a third was found at the crime scene at the corner of Dela Rosa and Perea streets. Mazza died on the spot.

Bonifacio said it was unlikely that robbery was the motive because the victim’s belongings, including the P20,000 in his wallet and BlackBerry mobile phone, were untouched.

“We are still trying to establish the motive. May it involves his personal life,” he said. Police investigators said they are looking into a possible love triangle.

Bonifacio said the victim was single and had a German passport but gave no further details.

Makati Shangri-La general manager Reto Klauser said in a statement that they are extremely saddened by Mazza’s death and “would like to express our sincerest condolences to his family.”

Klauser said the safety and security of all the staff and guests of Shangri-La are of utmost importance to its management.

“We are working closely with police authorities who have started a thorough investigation. We are confident that the police will make all the facts known at the appropriate time and in accordance with the prevailing regulations,” he said.

German embassy spokespersons were not available for comment. – With AP