Trader shot, in critical condition

Ormoc City – A restaurant owner is fighting for his life after an unidentified gunman shot him from behind outside his restaurant about 2:30 a.m. yesterday, beside the city superdome.

Senior Inspector Joseywells Estopen, PCP1-OIC chief, identified the victim as Walter Niño Español, 32, married, proprietor of Manina’s restaurant and a resident of Barangay Cogon.

The police said the victim and his employees were about to close the restaurant when the lone gunman suddenly appeared from behind and shot him at close range hitting the back of his head. The suspect allegedly asked the victim what time was it and when he replied he was told “Oras na sa imong kamatayon” (“It is your time to die.”) then shots were heard.

Witnesses told police that the suspect quickly walked towards Aviles street and also fired his revolver again as he was about to board a Red Honda wave single motorcycle without plate number, driven by an unidentified companion. The suspect, according to the police was sporting a white baseball cap and wearing a black t-shirt. The get-away vehicle proceeded towards Barangay Alta Vista but responding police failed to find the suspects when they responded.  

The victim was immediately brought to the OSPA-FMC hospital but was transferred to a hospital in Tacloban City. The police said the victim was hit in the head and neck when the suspect shot him three times with a revolver of an unknown caliber.

The police said that about 1 a.m. yesterday an unidentified man went to the restaurant, took a bottle of beer and attempted to hurl the bottle to another man who is after him. The victim pacified the suspect but instead turned his ire to the drummer of the band playing in the restaurant, prompting the victim to draw his .45 caliber then hit the suspect with the butt of the gun. The suspect then hurriedly left the place.

The Manina’s restaurant is one of the most visited nightlife establishments in the city as it caters to live bands.