3 killed in Batangas ambuscades

BATANGAS, Philippines – Three people, including two businessmen, were shot dead in three separate ambuscades in Batangas on Thursday, police said yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Omega Jireh Fidel, Batangas police director said the first fatality was restaurant owner Rance Berbard Cantos, 25, who was killed by two men on a motorcycle at the corner of F. Alix and Margarita streets in Nasugbu at around 7 a.m.

Police have yet to determine the motive for the killing.

In Lipa City, investigators are eyeing business rivalry as among the motives for the murder of chicken dealer Edgardo Maralit, 40, a resident of Barangay Cawongan, Padre Garcia.

Garcia was gunned down in  Barangay Maraouy while delivering his merchandise at around 8:10 a.m.

In Belete town, Eric Bathan, 32, ambulance driver of the Balete municipal health office, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Magapi around 7:05 a.m.

Bathan was riding an ambulance on his way to work when he was waylaid.

Balete police chief Senior Inspector Allan Reyes said they are looking at illegal drug dealing as a motive for the killing.