SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines – Robbers gunned down two traders, took their money and other valuables and fled in a daytime attack Tuesday in Surallah town in the province.
The fatalities, business partners Zandro Maltampa, and Concordio Duga-Duga, were on their way to an interior barangay in Surallah from the town proper riding a tricycle when the suspects, armed with handguns, flagged them down and opened fire, killing them both instantly.
The suspects did not harm the other passengers of the tricycle, according to the Surallah municipal police.
Witnesses said the suspects immediately took out the victims’ wallets and gathered their shoulder bags and wristwatches before leaving the scene riding a motorcycle parked nearby.
The slain traders were operating a vending stall for assorted merchandise at the town’s public market.