Man gunned down at Makati gas station

MANILA, Philippines - A 27-year-old man was shot dead while fueling up at a gas station in Barangay Pio del Pilar, Makati City yesterday morning.

Mark Felizardo Baggang was behind the wheel of his black Toyota Vios (without license plates) at the gas station when at least three unidentified assailants surrounded his car at around 8:30 a.m.

The assailants simultaneously opened fire with a 9mm pistol, a .45 caliber pistol and an M-16 rifle, police said.

Baggang died on the scene. Investigators said at least 100 shells and slugs were recovered at the gas station, located at the corner of Evangelista and Arguelles streets.

The assailants fled toward Pasay City in a maroon car. Witnesses failed to jot down the getaway car’s plate number, police said.

Death threats, prior attack

Makati police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban told reporters that prior to the shooting, Baggang received death threats. Someone had also shot at the victim’s house last month, he said.

He said investigators are looking into Baggang’s possible drug links after police officers found what they suspect to be shabu and drug paraphernalia in the victim’s car, along with a .22 caliber revolver.

Lukban said the hit on the victim was well-planned and whoever masterminded the killing was “iba ang galit (unusually angry),” based on the number of bullets used.

The gunmen could have followed the victim from his house and waited for an opportunity to kill him, the police chief said, noting that Baggang left home after receiving a phone call.

The members of his household said that during the past few days, Baggang did not leave the house but did so upon receiving the phone call.

Neighbors described Baggang as a “Robin Hood” who was always ready to help, Lukban said. “His mother, who works abroad, and the barangay chairman said the victim was known for helping people who approached him. The sick, the ones who need money,” he said.