Businessman shot dead

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A businessman was gunned down by an unidentified suspect at Barangay Maquiling, Sagay City, Negros Occidental Friday night.

Killed was Agapito Abastillas, 52, of Barangay Paraiso.

Police Major Antonio Benitez Jr., said the victim, his wife, and two helpers were delivering dressed chicken to a store when the lone gunman, who was wearing a bonnet, approached and shot him at close range.

The victim succumbed to three gunshot wounds on his head, neck, and body.

The gunman fled on a motorcycle.

Benitez said they have yet to establish the motive of the killing but they suspect that the incident might be work-related.

Two helpers of the victim resigned from work that day.

“One of them was allegedly being maltreated by the victim. It’s possible that the killing might be triggered by grudge,” Benitez said.

The city police chief also said they are not discounting the possibility that the incident might be drug-related because the victim is allegedly in the drugs watchlist of the city police.

“We are also verifying his drug linkages,” Benitez said.