STL outlet manager slain, bodyguard wounded in ambush

LAGUNA, Philippines  – A manager of a small town lottery outlet in Mindoro was killed and his driver-bodyguard was wounded in an ambush in Barangay Francisco Calehan in San Pablo City on Sunday, police said yesterday.

Rolando Diaz, 65, father of San Pablo City Councilor Rondel Diaz, died while being treated at the San Pablo City Medical Center, according to Superintendent Ericson Dilag, city police chief.

Noriel Alcantara underwent an operation at the same hospital and was declared out of danger.

Dilag said the victims were in a sport utility vehicle on their way home from a cockfighting arena when motorcycle-riding gunmen shot at them at past 3 p.m.

The gunmen, believed to be hired killers, fled toward Quezon province.