Used car dealer slain in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - A 24-year-old used car dealer was shot dead at a gasoline station’s parking lot in Barangay Magallanes, Makati City Monday night.

Rodante Argie Mahinay, of Dimasalang street in Pasay City, had just left a hamburger outlet at the gasoline station at around 8:20 p.m. and was walking to the parking lot, as seen on closed-circuit television footage, city police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban said.

He was met by three men, described to be between 20 and 25 years old, who shot him and fled toward Osmeña Highway going to Pasay City.

Mahinay died while being treated for gunshot wounds at the Makati Medical Center.

Investigators recovered six spent .45 caliber bullet shells and Mahinay’s 9mm Taurus pistol.

Police said they are still identifying the assailants as well as determining the motive for the shooting.

Last May 23, Mark Felizardo Baggang, alias “Dodong Bagang,” a 27-year-old “buy and sell” businessman was shot dead at a station in Barangay Pio del Pilar in Makati.

According to the Makati police, Baggang was in the driver’s seat of his black Toyota Vios (without license plates) and was preparing to gas up when at least three unidentified assailants appeared and surrounded his car at about 8:30 a.m.

Police said the assailants opened fire with a 9mm pistol, a .45 caliber 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 assailants fled in a maroon car, police said. Witnesses failed to jot down the license plate number of the getaway car, police added.

Lukban told reporters that prior to the shooting, the victim received death threats.

Lukban earlier said they are looking at a possible drug angle in the shooting. Investigators found suspected shabu and drug-sniffing paraphernalia in the victim’s car along with a .22 caliber revolver.