Trader, kin killed in Ecija ambush

CABANATUAN CITY — A prominent businessman and his relative were killed when fired upon by heavily armed men while on their way home to Palayan City last Thursday.

Senior Inspector Epitacio Domingo, Palayan City police station commander, identified the victims as businessman Ernesto Licup, 28, and Dennis Mercado, both of Barangay Caballero. The two died from gunshot wounds from caliber .45 and 9mm pistols. Their Nissan pick-up, with license plate UHR-982, was also strafed by the suspects.

SPO2 Lauro Gaspar, officer-on-case, said the victims were on board the pick-up and were already at the entrance gate of the Olympia Village in Caballero at around 9 a.m. Thursday when gunned down by the suspects who were aboard an unlicensed and heavily tinted van. — Manny Galvez