MANILA, Philippines -- Motorcycle-riding men Wednesday shot and wounded two men in front of a car repair shop on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, police said.

As of posting time, Gil Remulta, 35 and his friend, Anderson Besario, 48, were reported to be in critical condition at the General Malvar Hospital for multiple gunshot wounds.

Superintendent Constante Agpaoa, chief of the Quezon City Police District Station 6, said Remulta, which the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported as a television cameraman for ABS-CBN, was a former driver for the network’s news and current affairs office.

Toto Rubino, supervisor of the network’s Motor Pool Unit, said Remulta was actually an employee of H. Rani Services, a manpower agency contracted by ABS CBN to provide casual workers.

Rubino said since January 16, the victim has stopped reporting for work as the agency’s contract with the TV network ended on January 31.

Besario is a reserve Army officer with the rank of master sergeant.

Agpaoa said Besario might have been the target of the attack which could be linked to his work as community leader in Barangay (village) Lower Nawasa.

“Witnesses said the gunmen first shot at Besario and later turned to Remulta when they noticed that he had a gun,” Agpaoa told the Inquirer over the phone.

Agpaoa said Besario was talking with Remulta in front of the Capitol Auto Supply on Commonwealth Avenue, Barangay Holy Spirit at 10:06 a.m. when the still unidentified armed men arrived onboard a blue Honda XRM motorcycle without a license plate.

He said the men suddenly fired upon the unsuspecting victims and hurriedly left as Remulta drew his .9-millimeter caliber pistol.

“Remulta was able to fire back at their assailants. But we’re not sure if he was able to hit one of them,” Agpaoa said.

He said bystanders and motorists immediately brought the two men to the hospital.

The incident stalled the flow of vehicles on both lanes of the highway as curious onlookers and motorists gathered near the crime scene.

Police found six spent shells of .22 caliber and .9 mm handguns in the area.