Smart employee gunned down in Batangas

BATANGAS CITY – A 41-year-old employee of Smart Communications here was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men in front of a university where he had brought his three children yesterday morning, police said.

Superintendent Christopher Tambungan, Batangas City police chief, said the victim, Nick Caaway, a close relative of Joel Caaway, former chairman of Barangay Bagong Lipunan Tabangao, was shot from behind in front of the University of Batangas.

His wife, Marciana, who was onboard their Ford Ranger pick-up, was unharmed.

Caaway, who sustained nine bullet wounds from a caliber .45 pistol, did not reach the St. Patrick Hospital alive.

A few hours after the shooting, pursuing lawmen headed by Senior Inspector Mario Alvarez recovered the gunmen’s black Honda XRM motorcycle in Barangay Poblacion, San Pascual town.

Police scoured the area and subsequently arrested one of the two suspects, a certain Marcelito Velena, 42.

During interrogation, Velena reportedly admitted gunning down Caaway after his accomplice, a certain Mario Marasigan, promised to pay him P20,000 for the hit job.

Police are eyeing politics as the motive behind the killing.