Contractor hurt in slay try

MANILA, Philippines - A building contractor was wounded when an unidentified assailant shot him in Pasig City yesterday.

Joseph Batuac, a civil engineer, 38, was reported to be out of danger at the Metro Antipolo Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound in the neck.

The attack is not drug-related, said Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director, as he ordered the Pasig police to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.

Batuac was about to board his car at the parking lot of the National Housing Authority’s Medium Rise Housing Compound along Kaginhawaan street when the assailant shot him at around 7:10 a.m. 

When the victim fell to the ground, bleeding, the assailant walked toward the gate where security guard Rolando Santos was posted.

When Santos tried to intercept the assailant, the gunman shot at him but missed as the guard ducked for cover.

The assailant got on his motorcycle and sped toward Imelda Avenue.

Batuac told Senior Police Officer 2 Danilo Damasco that workers he terminated recently may have had something to do with the attack.