Trader shot dead in Bacolod church

MANILA, Philippines — A businessman was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in a church compound in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday night, police reported yesterday.

Alex Yao, 57, and his wife Ma. Theresa, 56, were about to board their car parked in the compound of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine in Barangay 5 when they were attacked at around 8:30 p.m.

Yao suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the body and was declared dead on arrival in a hospital, where his wife was also taken for treatment of a gunshot wound in the hand.

The Yaos, who are members of the Bukas Loob Sa Diyos covenant community, came from a prayer meeting held in the church. 

Witnesses said the assailant fled on a waiting motorcycle.

Probers have yet to gather leads on the identity of the assailant, according to Western Visayas police director Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao.

Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon condemned the killing, as he urged authorities to solve the case immediately.

Buzon described the killing as a deplorable act, saying it has no place in Christian societies.

The killing occurred barely two days after the murder of another businessman in Mandaluyong City on Sunday afternoon.   – With Evelyn Macairan