Bike-riding gunmen kill 2nd trader in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines - Another businessman was killed in an ambush in Quezon City yesterday noon, the second one slain by motorcycle-riding attackers in two days.

Reports from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the latest victim as Simon Pangan, 48, a resident of Greenland Subdivision, Marikina City. His companion, Manuel Davidas, survived the ambush and is now being treated at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Hospital.

The ambush took place at around noon at the corner of Doña Nicasia and Samsung streets in Barangay Commonwealth.

The gunmen were on two motorcycles when they blocked the victim’s Honda CVR bearing license plate number GYB-808. Reports said the gunmen, wearing black jackets and helmets, shot at Pangan’s vehicle several times.

Pangan, though wounded, reportedly managed to get out of his vehicle and run but the suspects caught up with him and shot him repeatedly.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent George Regis said operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) are conducting the investigation. He said Pangan was engaged in buying and selling.

As of press time yesterday afternoon, Regis said Scene Of the Crime Operatives were still processing the crime scene.

According to reports, Pangan was on his way to meet with a person selling an Elf truck, and had money with him. The transaction was allegedly set up by Davidas.

Witnesses said the gunmen were not able to get the money because a police patrol car was approaching the area.

On Saturday, a 46-year old Chinese businessman was also killed in an ambush staged by motorcycle-riding men in New Manila, Quezon City.

Shao Huai Huang, a resident of Greenhills, San Juan, died as he was being rushed to the St. Luke’s Medical Center by other motorists.

Like Pangan, the victim was in a Honda CRV when the attackers overtook his vehicle and blocked his path, then shot him repeatedly through the windshield at around 10 a.m. along Gilmore Avenue.

QCPD homicide probers have yet to determine the motive behind both killings, which involved at least four gunmen.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Alan Purisima directed yesterday the QCPD to solve Huang’s murder “the soonest possible time.”

Purisima said Regis’ men were conducting a background investigation on Huang. “We wanted to know what business he was in and whether he has enemies, for us to determine the motive of his ambush-slaying,” Purisima said in an interview.

Purisima directed Regis to coordinate with other government agencies like the Bureau of Immigration to solve the case. – With Non Alquitran