Assassinated Businessmen July to September, 2024

This is a list of businessmen who have been assassinated or survived an assassination attempt or who were kidnapped in the third quarter of 2024.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/8/businessman-gunned-down-in-batangas-1

A 39-year-old businessman was gunned down in Barangay Luyos here on Sunday afternoon, July 7.

Police identified the victim as Elmar Fabroa, of Banay-Banay, Davao Oriental and Gapan, Nueva Ecija. 

Lawmen said the victim was inside his truck waiting for vegetables to be loaded when a man wearing brown jacket and jeans arrived and shot him.  He died on the spot.

The suspect fled onboard a motorcycle.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/3/pnp-probes-kidnap-slay-of-2-foreign-traders-persons-of-interest-identified

The Anti-Kidnapping Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-AKG) has stepped into the investigation of the reported kidnap-slay of two foreigners whose bodies were found in a remote area in Camarines Sur.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said that, based on initial investigation, the Chinese and Chinese-American businessmen arrived in the country on June 20 to meet with potential Chinese business partners.

Later, the relatives of one of the two foreigners informed them about the kidnapping, and that the alleged kidnappers were demanding five million yuan as ransom. The ransom demand was later reduced to three million yuan, and was sent to the kidnappers.

After the ransom was paid, the kidnappers could no longer be contacted which prompted the relatives of the victims to seek police assistance.

On June 24, Fajardo said two bodies were reported to have been found in Sitio Rawis,  Barangay Patitinan, in Sagñay, Camarines Sur, which were later confirmed to be the two missing businessmen.

Fajardo said they have not yet established the motive behind the incident, but assured that the AKG is continuously investigating the incident to identify the perpetrators.

‘The AKG already took cognizance of the case after the coordination with the Chinese Embassy and right now, the AKG has persons of interest,” said Fajardo.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/9/indian-bizman-hurt-in-gun-attack

An Indian businessman was shot and wounded in Purok 7, Barangay Poblacion 1, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Sunday night, July 7.

Police said the 36-year-old victim was driving his motorcycle on his way to the city proper and stopped to answer a phone call.

A man suddenly appeared from a dimly-lit area and shot the victim several times in the leg and arms.

The victim was taken to a hospital by a countryman who passed by the area. He was later referred to a private hospital here.

Recovered from the crime scene were a live ammunition and four fired .45 caliber cartridge cases.

Police continue to probe the incident. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/23/businessman-shot-dead-by-companion-in-bacolod

A businessman was allegedly gunned down by his companion inside a sports utility vehicle (SUV) during a heated argument on uncollected remittances in Barangay Villamonte here on Monday, July 22.

The victim was identified as Jun Alaba, 59, of Barangay Estefania here.

Police Capt. Francis Depasucat, head of Police Station 4, said the victim was driving a maroon vehicle when his companion, 34-year-old Ronel Rafael of Toboso, Negros Occidental, was allegedly irked after he was asked about uncollected remittances.

A commotion followed until the victim was shot. Depasucat said they are unsure if both grappled with the firearm.

Depasucat said the victim sustained a bullet wound in the stomach and was declared dead in a hospital.

Recovered from the crime scene were a fired cartridge, two dud cartridges, and a short firearm with magazine. 

Depasucat said that Rafael gave them a statement pertaining to the incident.

Rafael was initially not linked to the shooting but later in the investigation, Depasucat said that circumstantial evidence pointed him as a suspect.

Depasucat said that Rafael was subjected to a paraffin test on Monday night and the recovered firearm was turned over to the PNP Crime Laboratory for ballistic examination and identification.

He said that paraffin test results will be released within two to three days. Homicide charges were filed on Tuesday, July 23, against Rafael, who is under police custody.

Depasucat said that the suspect had been working for the victim for a year now and would also refer clients to the victim’s lending business.

He said that they are still probing the incident and checking the background of the suspect if he had previous offenses.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/14/businessman-live-in-partner-slain-in-laguna-by-trade-rival

A businessman and his live-in partner were allegedly gunned down by a competitor in the handicrafts business during a heated argument in Barangay Nanguma, this town, on Tuesday afternoon, August 13.

Police identified the victims as William Talisik and Margie Serrano.

Investigation said the victims arrived in front of the house of the suspect, Isagani Hiyas, and confronted him about a misunderstanding in their business, resulting in a furious discussion.

Serrano was armed with a stick and struck Hiyas who went inside his house. The suspect returned armed with a gun.

Hiyas shot the couple who died of bullet wounds. The suspect escaped and a manhunt operation is underway against him.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/10/businessman-wife-shot-dead-while-opening-store-in-batangas

A businessman and his wife were gunned down and robbed while opening their store at the public market in Poblacion 3, this town, before dawn on Monday, September 9.

Police identified the victims as Marlon, 52, and his wife Angelina, both from this town.

Investigation said the suspects arrived at around 4:30 a.m. and shot the victims at close range.

The suspects barged inside and took cash estimated at P80,000 and pieces of jewelry.

The victims were taken to the Bauan General Hospital where they were declared dead by Dr. Lilio Okchid Gran Jorbina.

Police said a witness, Victoriano Castillo, heard gunshots and hid in his store.

Lawmen are conducting follow-up investigation and and manhunt operations against the suspects who fled in an unknown direction.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/9/28/female-vendor-shot-dead-by-motorcycle-rider-in-quiapo

A female vendor was shot dead by a motorcycle rider in Quiapo, Manila, on Saturday, September 28.

The Manila Police District (MPD) did not disclose the name of the victim yet. 

Witnesses said the woman was standing in front of a bank at the corner of Palanca Street and Quezon Boulevard when a motorcycle rider suddenly pointed a gun at the victim and shot her.

The suspect immediately left after committing the crime, they added.

Police said they are still backtracking and reviewing all closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) in the area to identify the suspect.

Assassinated Businessmen April to June, 2024

This is a list of businessmen who have been assassinated or survived an assassination attempt or who were kidnapped in the second quarter of 2024.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/565930/cebu-city-robbery-korean-national-killed-2-others-nabbed

An armed encounter between law enforcers and a group of Korean nationals, who allegedly robbed a businessman inside his house in Cebu City, led to one of the suspects being killed and a police officer being wounded. 

The incident happened inside a private subdivision in Brgy. Banilad, Cebu City on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

The suspects were identified as Yong Hee Kim, 45; Jun Hee Kim, 49; and Sun Young Choi, 47.

Police Major Romeo Caacoy, chief of Mabolo Police Station, said that at around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the suspects allegedly entered the residence of their victim, 45-year-old Yong Hee Kim, who is also a Korean national.

Kim has been living in Cebu for a long time.

Kim was with two of his employees, Angel Apolinario and Loraine Bahag Tradio, during the alleged robbery.

A police report revealed that the three Korean nationals, who were all armed with hand guns, allegedly stole cash worth P200,000; and two watches and jewelry worth P25,000,000.

Caacoy said that an employee of the subdivision called the police after he noticed the armed men enter the victim’s house.

All of the three suspects were still inside Kim’s house when the police arrived.

Caacoy said that they tried to negotiate for the suspects to surrender, but they instead fired shots at the police.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/4/18/businessman-shot-dead-in-bacolod

A businessman was gunned down in Barangay Estefania here early Thursday morning, April 18.

The victim was identified as Elson Cepeda, a bar owner and resident of Barangay Estefania.

Police Capt. Francis Depasucat, head of Police Station 4, said they received a call about a shooting incident around 4:20 a.m.

Depasucat said the victim and his wife dropped by a convenience store to buy food before going home on board a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). 

Two unidentified persons suddenly appeared when the victim was about to return to his vehicle and shot him.

The suspects fled on board the car and left the victim’s wife unharmed. 

The victim was taken to the Riverside Medical Center here where he was declared dead.

A closed-circuit television camera footage posted on social media hours after the incident showed a car parked behind the victim’s SUV.

Depasucat said that it is possible that the suspects tailed the victim and police recovered from the crime scene several fired bullets.

Investigation is ongoing to determine the motive of the incident.

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/569082/fish-vendor-shot-while-sleeping-inside-market-in-cebu-city

A fish vendor was shot by an unidentified assailant while she was sleeping  inside a market in Sitio Gen. Genis, Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City early Saturday morning, April 20, 2024.

The shooting happened at past 5:00 a.m.  which resulted to a woman sustaining injuries. 

The victim was identified as 44-year-old Jonabel Torreon, a resident of Block 7, Barangay Sawang Calero. 

Torreon makes a living by selling seafood at the market.

According to Police Staff Sergeant Leigh Vincent Gonzalve, investigator on case, the fish vendor was shot while taking a break inside a market at the time of the incident.

Gonzalve said that while the victim was sleeping, a man wearing a grey hoodie approached the sleeping vendor and pulled out a firearm.

The unidentified assailant then shot Torreon on the shoulder and scampered away.

Shortly after, the incident was reported to the Sawang Calero Police Station and the victim was rushed to the nearest hospital. 

As of this writing, Torreon is reportedly in a stable condition and recovering from her injuries. 

Gonzalve said that they will be looking into all possible motives behind the shooting, including personal grudge.

He said that some vendors at the market disclosed that the victim once had a quarrel with an individual. 

Torreon, however, denied this and said that she had no enemies during an interview with police. 

According to Gonzalve, they will be checking closed-circuit television (CCTV) footages around the crime scene in order to identify the suspect. 

Furthermore, a follow-up investigation is ongoing to determine the motive behind the shooting inside one of the busiest markets in the city. 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/5/sari-sari-store-owner-shot-dead

A businessman was killed outside his sari-sari or community convenience store in Purok Mabinuligon, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Friday, May 3.

Police identified the victim as 37-year-old Donie Bacoli, also a farmer and former chief barangay watchman or tanod.

Police Lt. Col. Fernando Somblingo Jr., Sipalay police chief, said a man asked the victim to come out of his store. 

Bacoli went out and was shot by the suspect. The victim died on the spot.

Somblingo said the victim had just resigned as chief village watchman to focus on his store.

It was the second killing in the barangay in less than a month. On April 25, a 43-year-old man was shot and killed by the New People’s Army (NPA).

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/905938/personal-grudge-tagum-city-businessman/story/

Police are eyeing personal grudge as possible motive in the killing of a businessman in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

The 30-year-old victim, Ronel Llega, was shot dead outside the compound where he lived in Barangay Magugpo East.

Investigators said the victim had just arrived home on board a “bao-bao” after unloading several items and products at their store when he was shot by an unidentified assailant.

The victim succumbed to bullets in different parts of his body.

“Wala may recorded nga nawala sa iyaha or mga value item or iyahang mga belongings. Narekober lang sa crime scene katung 10 ka basiyo sa calibre .45 nga pistola,” Lt. Evelyn Tidula of Tagum City Police Station said.

Investigation into the incident continues to identify the perpetrator.

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/luzon/money-reward-info-killers-jholo-papi-granados-cavite/

Cavite First District Representative Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III is offering a P500,000-reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect behind the killing of businessman and prospective electoral candidate. 

In a Facebook post, Revilla condemned the killing of Jholo “Papi” Granados who he said was supposed to run for councilor in the upcoming 2025 elections under his party.

Granados was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men as he was about to go home around 4:30 pm on Saturday, May 11. Local police said that the suspects – who were wearing helmet – fled towards Bacoor City after the incident.

(Our party and our family express our deepest condolences to the loved ones left behind by Papi. We will not stop until we obtain justice for his death.) 

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/16/vendor-gunned-down-in-quezon

A 55-year-old vendor was gunned down in Barangay Poblacion here on Wednesday morning, May 15.

Police identified the victim as Edgardo Magtibay, a resident of Barangay Malabanban Norte.

Investigation said Magtibay was standing on a street when two men on board a motorcycle appeared and shot him twice in the head.

Magtibay died on the spot and the suspects fled towards Maharlika Highway.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/6/1/livestock-vendor-gunned-down-in-negros-occidental

A livestock vendor was gunned down by three unidentified persons in Barangay Amayco, Murcia, Negros Occidental on Friday, May 31.

Police identified the victim as 38-year-old Jonel Peruelo of Barangay Amayco.

Police Capt. Rodney Sarona, deputy chief of the Murcia Municipal Police Station, said the victim was eating snacks in a sari-sari store when the suspects arrived and shot him from behind.

The victim succumbed to multiple bullet wounds, according to Sarona.

Recovered from the crime scene were eight empty shells, a deformed hard bullet, a deformed bullet metallic jacket, a fired bullet of a .45 caliber firearm, and three empty shells of a .9mm caliber firearm.

Sarona said they are exploring possible angles in the incident to establish the motive such as business-related or grudges.

He said the victim was engaged in buy and sell of livestock. 

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/576291/4-persons-of-interest-in-killing-of-dumanjug-trader-identified

The Dumanjug Police Station has identified four persons of interest (POI) in the killing of a 51-year-old livestock trader in Barangay Kanyuko, Dumanjug town, southwest Cebu on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

Leonardo Pescadero Macario, a resident of the area, was found dead next to his parked motorcycle in Barangay Kanyuko. He had multiple hacked wounds on his head.

Police suspect Macario was ambushed, killed, and robbed, as they found a felled log blocking the road.

The victim was on his way to the Mantalungon Livestock Market to buy livestock, according to the investigation.

He had P500,000 cash on him, but it disappeared when they found the victim’s body.

Police chief Captain Kelvin Mamaradlo thought the suspects were local boys.

There’s a chance the victim knew the suspects since they knew his route when he rode his motorcycle.

Mamaradlo suggested the suspects might have planned the victim’s killing.

The victim’s family didn’t know if he had any conflicts with anyone. They described him as a good person with no record.

Mamaradlo thanked Mayor Gungun Gica for offering a reward for information about the suspects’ whereabouts, especially since there were no CCTV cameras at the crime scene. He hoped it would encourage witnesses to help in the investigation.

He also promised to ensure the safety of witnesses to protect them from any risk.

 

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/06/12/2362211/batangas-resort-owner-73-found-dead

A resort owner was found dead at her residence in Barangay Durungao in Bauan, Batangas on Monday.

The body of Carmen Maranan of the Maranan resort in Sitio Gintuan in Barangay Durungao was discovered by her daughter, according to Lt. Reymond Matibag, Bauan chief investigator.

Matibag said a certain Lando, a former resort worker, is considered a person of interest in the killing.

He said another resort worker saw Lando leaving the resort at midnight while footage of closed-circuit television camera caught the suspect entering its premises.

Probers are eyeing a grudge as the motive for the killing.

Citing initial investigation, Matibag said the victim could have been struck by a flower vase while sleeping on a couch.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/06/25/2365401/businessman-shot-dead

Police have launched a manhunt for a man who allegedly shot dead a businessman in Quezon City on Sunday night.

Cyrus Galanza, 44, was walking along a street in Barangay Batasan Hills when the assailant fired at him at around 6:25 p.m., according to the Batasan police station 6.

A witness told probers that he was inside his house when he heard gunshots.

When the witness went outside, he saw Galanza slumped on the ground with gunshots to the body.

The victim was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said they are looking for leads to determine the identity of the gunman who fled after the attack. Probers have yet to determine the motive for the shooting.

Assassinated Businessmen January to March, 2024

This is a list of businessmen who have been assassinated or survived an assassination attempt or who were kidnapped in the first quarter of 2024.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/4/businessman-shot-dead-by-15-suspected-npa

A businessman was gunned down inside his house by 15 suspected New People's Army rebels in Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, January 2.

Police identified the victim as Juvinie Sarona, 43, a lumberyard owner.

Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan, Toboso police chief, said that at least 15 unidentified persons stormed the house of the victim while he was having dinner with his uncle.

Five gunmen shot Sarona while his uncle was unharmed.

Batadlan said the 10 other perpetrators served as lookouts. The suspects fled to an unknown direction.

Sarona sustained nine bullet wounds and died on the spot. 

Police recovered 25 fired caliber 5.56mm cartridges for an M16 rifle in the crime scene. 

Batadlan said they are looking into insurgency as possible motive in the incident since the victim had threats last year.

He said the victim was a known supporter of government programs and helped the military and the police in the campaign against communist rebels.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/12/2-men-shot-dead-in-drinking-spree

A businessman and an electronics store operator were shot dead by a man during a drinking spree before dawn here on Friday, January 12.

Police identified the victims as businessman Jay R. Burgos Matanguihan, 30, and Mark Johndel Aguila Robles, 22, electronics store operator, both residents of this town.

The victims and their friends were having a drinking spree inside a meat shop when the suspect, Ikong, arrived onboard a motorcycle.

Ikong approached and told the group, “May problema ako, ‘wag kayong sumali” (I have a problem, do not join), then drew a short firearm and fired at the victims.

The suspect fled with the gun towards the direction of Tiaong, Quezon and the victims were taken to a hospital in Lipa City, Batangas where they were declared dead.

Police are conducting a follow-up operation.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/15/businessman-wounded-in-leyte-shooting

A businessman was shot and wounded in his house in Barangay Hinabuyan, Villaba, Leyte, on Monday morning, January 15.

Police identified the victim as Marlon Ecoling, 36.

Ecoling was cooking breakfast when the suspect barged in and shot him with a firearm of unknown caliber. 

Police withheld the name of the suspect but he is of legal age and a resident of Tabango, Leyte.

Ecoling was wounded in his left hand but he managed to fight the suspect who afterwards fled towards Tabango, Leyte onboard a motorcycle. 

The victim was brought to the hospital and police are pursuing the suspect.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/894246/businessman-shot-dead-in-davao-del-norte-van-driver-dies-in-bataan-highway-accident/story/

A 45-year old businessman was shot dead at a parking lot in Tagum City, Davao del Norte over the weekend.

CCTV footage showed the victim was talking to a man at the parking lot when the alleged gunman approached them from behind and fatally shot the victim on the head several times, according to Saleema Refran’s 24 Oras report on Monday.

The suspect seemed to have rifled through the victim’s pockets before his motorcycle-riding accomplice arrived and helped him escape.

Authorities are still investigating the possible motive of the crime. The unidentified suspects remain at large.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/16/indian-bizman-shot-in-sagay-city

An Indian businessman was shot and wounded by two gunmen in Barangay Poblacion 1, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Friday, January 12.

Police withheld the name of the 44-year-old victim.

Police Lt. Hannah Banquil, deputy chief of the Sagay City Police Station, said the victim was about to arrive home on board a motorcycle when one of the two suspects hiding near is apartment rushed towards and fired at him.

He was wounded in the leg and taken to the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital here.

Police have yet to determine the motive of the incident but the victim was also wounded in a shooting incident in 2022.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/16/businessman-killed-in-broad-daylight

A businessman was gunned down in front of a school in Barangay Urbiztondo, this town, on Monday, January 15.

Police identified the victim as Ronnie Rivera of Barangay Butubot, Balaoan, La Union.

Rivera was standing in the parking area of the Lorma High School Campus at about 10:25 a.m. when two men onboard a motorcycle arrived.

One of them drew a gun and shot the victim.

The gunman and his cohort fled and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital where he died due to bullet wounds.

Police are conducting follow-up investigation.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/02/10/2332212/businesswoman-robbed-beaten-mall-restroom

Police are hunting down a man who beat up and robbed a businesswoman in a mall in Quezon City on Thursday.

Investigators are working to get leads on the identity of the suspect, who was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, cap, denim jeans and sunglasses.

The suspect attacked a 32-year-old businesswoman at the Il Terrazo mall located at the corner of Tomas Morato Avenue and Sct. Madrinian street in Barangay South Triangle.

Police investigators said the incident occurred at around 12:07 p.m. in the restroom on the third floor of the mall.

Armed with a knife, the suspect grabbed the victim and dragged her into one of the cubicles.

The suspect then took the victims’ two cell phones and fled from the scene on foot.

The injured victim was found by mall-goers lying on the floor. She was treated for her injuries.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/12/businessman-shot-dead-in-himamaylan-city

A businessman was gunned down in Barangay IV-Poblacion, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Saturday, February 10.

Police said 46-year-old Nickie Grucen was tending to his store with his wife when an unidentified person appeared and shot him once in the nape.

Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, Himamaylan police chief, said the suspect fled on board a motorcycle and the victim was declared dead in a hospital. 

Police recovered from the crime scene a fired bullet of a .45 caliber pistol.

Grande said they already have persons of interest and motive in the killing.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/19/chinese-businessman-kidnapped-in-manila

Two unidentified men kidnapped a Chinese businessman in front of his home in Sta. Cruz, Manila Sunday evening, February 18.

Manila Police District said the victim is a resident of Barangay 313, Sta. Cruz.

Police said the incident occurred at around 9:50 p.m. in front of the victim's apartment building.

Based on a closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, the victim was alighting from his motorcycle when two men grabbed him and covered his face.

He was dragged into a brown Toyota Innova with a speed racer sticker on the side panels and a star logo on front hood.

The victim's family sought help from the police.

The case was transferred to the MPD Anti-Kidnapping Group because the abductors were allegedly asking for a ransom.

MPD did not disclose the amount of ransom demanded by the suspects as negotiations between the operatives, the family, and the kidnappers are still ongoing.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/2/trader-shot-dead-buddies-hurt-in-drinking-spree

A 56-year-old businessman was shot dead and his two buddies were wounded during a drinking spree in Barangay Buenavista West here on Friday night, March 1.

Police said the fatality, Manolito Laygo, and wounded, Sergio Bosita, 61, and Edwin Aquino, 51, were drinking at the house of a friend, Lester delos Reyes, when the suspect Roy, 53, a neighbor, arrived.

Roy drew a gun and fired at Laygo multiple times. The victim was taken to the Peter Paul Medical Center here where he was declared dead.

Bosita and Aquino were hit by stray bullets and taken to the hospital.

Recovered at the crime scene were two fired bullets, three fired cartridge cases, and a live caliber .45 ammunition.

Police are pursuing the suspect and conducting follow-up investigation.

Roy faces frustrated murder charges.

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/29/businessman-knifed-dead-by-ex-employee-in-lucena-city

A 66-year-old businessman was stabbed to death by a former employee here on Maundy Thursday.

Police identified the victim as Andres Maaliw Derota.

The victim and the suspect Christian, a former store helper,  accidentally met while walking and a heated argument erupted, during which the suspect took a knife from his pocket and attacked the victim. 

Derota ran away but the suspect caught up with him and Christian stabbed him several times in the body.

The suspect fled and the victim was taken to a hospital in this city where he died.

Police are pursuing the suspect who face appropriate charges.