Gunmen shoot man dead at Makati gas station

MANILA, Philippines - A 27-year-old man was shot dead while gassing-up at a Petron gas station in Barangay Pio del Pilar in Makai, Friday morning.

The Makati police said victim Mark Felizardo Baggang alias "Dodong Bagang" of 7228 J. Victor Dt. Barangay Pio del Pilar was seated at the driver's seat of his black Toyota Vios (without license plates) and was preparing to gas-up when at least three unidentified suspects appeared and surrounded his car at about 8:30 a.m.

Police said the suspects simultaneously opened fire with a caliber 9mm pistol, a caliber .45 pistol and an M16 rifle.

Police said Baggang died on the spot after being hit in the head and body. Investigators said at least 100 empty shells and slugs were recovered at the scene located at the corner of Evangelista and Arguilles streets.

The suspects then fled the scene aboard a maroon-color car, police said. Witnesses failed to jot down the license plates of the getaway car, police added. The suspects fled towards Pasay City.

Makati Police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban told reporters that the victim received death threats prior to the shooting. Lukban added that the victim's house was also shot at last month.

Meanwhile, Lukban said they are looking at a possible drug angle in the shooting. Lukban said suspected shabu and drug sniffing paraphernalia were recovered inside the victim's car along with a .22 revolver.

"Allegedly meron daw sabi ng ilang nakakakilala," said Lukban of the victim's alleged drug links.

"Ang sabi ng pamilya ay may death threat lang. Yung drugs, isa lang sa mga tinitignan natin ngayon. May mga amount nga ng drugs na nakita. Subject for examination. Para ma-confirm kung shabu nga o hindi," Lukban added.

Lukban said the hit on the victim was well-planned.

"Nasisigurado natin sa pangyayari na talagang iba ang galit. Talagang napakaraming bala ang ipinutok. At ito talaga ay pinagplanuhan," he said.

Lukban said the gunmen could have followed the victim from his house and waited for the opportunity to kill him. He said the victim left home after recieveing a phone call.

"Malaki ang posibilidad na nasundan siya mula sa pinanggalingan. Ang sabi nung mga kasama sa bahay, nasa mga nakaraang araw, siya ay natutulog lang sa bahay, hindi naglalalabas. Ngunit nung pagkakataong ito, parang may tumawag daw sa kanya, at nakapambahay na gumamit ng sasakyan na parang may paalam na may pupuntahan," he said.

Lukban said the victim was likened by his neighbors to "Robin Hood" for being always ready to help them.

"Sabi ng kanyang mother mismo na nagtatrabahao sa abroad, sabi rin ng kapitan doon, kilala na itong victim sa lugar nila na napakamatulungin, mabait, kung sino man ang gustong pumunta sa kanya ay kanyang tinutulungan. May sakit, may pangangailangan na pera," the city police chief said. with intern Kim Nunez