Trader shot dead in Mandaluyong

MANILA, Philippines - A 28-year old buy and sell trader was shot dead in Mandaluyong City on Friday night in what police said could be linked to a land dispute.

Senior Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen, Mandaluyong City Police chief, said vicin Gerald Reanalis was about to enter his home on Ilaya Street in Barangay Barangka at about 9:15 p.m. when suspects Chrisnel de Guzman and Boy Reyes alias Boyong, approched him and opened fire with .45 caliber pistols.

Crime scene investigators said Reanalis was shot once in the chest and was again shot in the head when he fell to the ground.

"It appears that there was deep anger on the suspects and that they had really planned to kill the victim," said Quibuyen.

Quibuyen said two other suspects, identified as Catherine Reyes and Willy Reyes were later seen on a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage as escaping with the gunmen. Police said the two other suspects acted as lookouts when the shooting happened.

Quibuyen said the suspects are related to the victim and were positively identified through the CCTV footage by the victim's wife.

Quibuyen said charges for murder have been filed against the four suspects even as the hunt for their capture continues.

Initial investigations showed that the victim had earlier won a land dispute case against the suspects and had even displayed a tarpaulin banner on his house taunting the suspects for losing the case.

"That could have pushed the suspects to kill him," said Quibuyen.