Batangas City , Philippines – A 46-year-old fish trader was killed while his son was wounded when an alleged assassin shot them while inside the public market in Tanauan City early yesterday morning, police said.
Senior Superintendent Jesus Gatchalian, Batangas police director identified the slain businessman as Rolando Arandia, a resident of Barangay Quiling, Talisay, Batangas.
Wounded was Arandia’s 22-year-old son Romar and presently undergoing treatment at the CP Reyes Hospital after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds from a .45 caliber pistol.
According to reports, the Arandias were delivering tilapia fish to their clients at the Tanauan Public Market in Barangay 7 when a motorcycle riding gunman shot Rolando at the back of his head while peeing near the market’s gate around 4:20 a.m.
Upon hearing the gunshot, Romar rushed to the crime scene and saw the lifeless body of his father lying on the pavement of the market road.
Witnesses said Romar immediately pulled the gun tucked on his father’s waist and chased the fleeing gunman that led to a few minutes of gunfight.
Subsequently, Romar was able to kill the unidentified assassin while he himself suffered four gunshot wounds on his abdomen, left leg and right hand.
“Dumating ang mga pulis tapos na ang barilan, taliwas sa report nila (pulis) na sila ang nakapatay sa suspek,” a witness told The Star.
Police recovered a .45 caliber pistol, a number of spent bullet shells and a photo of Rolando Arandia inside the suspect’s pocket.
Probers have yet to determine the motive of the killing and the person behind the alleged assassination. – With Ed Amoroso, Non Alquitran