BATANGAS, Philippines (The Filipino Connection) – A 54-year-old tricycle driver in Bauan, Batangas included in the police drug watch list died after he was shot by an unidentified group of gunmen in his residence in Barangay Poblacion 2 on Tuesday, authorities said.
Chief Inspector Jezreel Calderon, Bauan police chief, identified the victim as Ariel Abrea.
According to police investigators, Abrea was sitting in his backyard close to noon on Tuesday when an unidentified gunman fired at him, hitting him in different parts of the body.
The victim was immediately rushed to the Bauan General Hospital but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police said the shooter immediately escaped on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.
Authorities said they were investigating the illegal drug trade as a possible motive for the crime, noting that based on their records, the victim was included in the local station’s drug watch list.
They recovered four spent shells and two deformed cal.45 slugs from the crime scene.
The Filipino Connection is a Philippine community news organization based in Lipa City, Batangas