Trader shot dead in Batangas town hall

Batangas – A 40-year-old businessman was shot dead by ski-mask wearing gunman while walking in front of the municipal hall and police station in San Jose town yesterday afternoon, police said.

Senior Superintendent Christopher Gatchalian, Batangas police director, identified the victim as Pablito “Amboy” Sales, resident of Barangay Dagatan, San Jose, Batangas, a livestock trader.

According to reports, Sales was walking in front of the municipal hall along the Makalintal Avenue and J.A. De Villa Street, Poblacion together with four other friends when the gunman aboard a motorcycle in tandem shot the victim at close range around 1 p.m.

Sales died on the spot after sustaining gunshot wounds on his face, chest and back with a .45 caliber pistol.

Witnesses said the suspects fled towards Ibaan town.

Police have yet to determine the motive of the killing. – Arnell Ozaeta