Head of Malabon homeowners' group slain

MANILA, Philippines - Two alleged hired killers gunned down the leader of a homeowners’ group in Malabon City yesterday.

Ernesto Gulfo, 52, president of the Catmon Ville Homeowners Association (CVHA) in Barangay Catmon, died while being taken to the Manila Central University (MCU) Hospital due to two bullet wounds in the chest.

SPO1 Redentor Mantala Jr. said that Gulfo was having breakfast in his house, where he also has a junk shop, when two men pretending as customers inquired the price for a kilo of copper at 7:10 a.m.

Gulfo stood up to face his customers but was shot by one of the suspects.

The suspects casually walked away after shooting the victim.

Police recovered two empty shells for a caliber .45 handgun in the crime scene.

Sources said the CVHA, which has around 2,000 members, has an ongoing legal battle with several private individuals claiming ownership of the property occupied by the group.

Gulfo named at least two of them before he died, his family told the police.