Cebu City trader slain; robbery eyed

CEBU CITY — Two unidentified men gunned down a 45-year-old businessman inside his office in Barangay Bulacao here Saturday afternoon.

Prosperos Martinez Alfaro, owner of Pearl Enterprises, sustained five gunshot wounds in his face, temple, chest and abdomen.

Police gathered six empty caliber .45 shells inside the victim’s office and a seventh one at the doorstep.

Homicide investigator Erlando Metante said policemen were looking into every possible motive for the shooting but this early, robbery was the most likely one because Alfaro’s wallet and jewelry were missing.

Pardo police chief Mariano Natuel said Alfaro’s wallet contained about P20,000 cash but the police found P50,000 cash from Alfaro’s front pocket, supposedly for the salaries of his 40 employees.

Natuel, however, aired suspicions that the robbery could just be a diversionary move to mislead investigators.

At the time of the shooting, only Alfaro and his secretary were inside the office since the rest of the employees were out taking a break.

Witnesses said Alfaro’s assailants arrived on a light-blue Aura motorcycle, then walked casually toward his office, according to PO1 Norman Patindol of the Pardo police station.

Shortly after, the witnesses said they heard several gunshots coming from Alfaro’s office and the next thing they saw were two men leaving the place.

Alfaro was a well-known businessman in Pardo dealing with various products, including heavy equipment, air compressors and karaoke machines.

His firm also leases apartment units and commercial spaces.

Alfaro was a licensed explosive and blasting cap contractor, a job that enabled him to build up his current business. — Freeman News Service