Local trader, son slain in Cotabato town gun attack

Photo of Mrs. Betty Cadulong Lu during happier times. | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

COTABATO CITY — An unidentified gunman shot dead a food shop owner and her son while they were busy serving clients in the family-owned roadside carenderia in Pikit town, Cotabato province, at noon on Tuesday.

Major John Arvin Cambang, Pikit police chief, identified the fatalities as Betty Cadulong Lu, 65, and her son Jonard, 47, both residents of Notre Dame Drive, Barangay Poblacion in Pikit town.

Their eatery, which serves halal food, is located just across the municipal plaza.

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Citing an initial investigation report, Cambang said the victims were attending to customers during lunch time when a lone gunman arrived on board a motorbike and, without provocation, opened fire on the unsuspecting victims.

“We are looking at several possible motives; manhunt had been launched,” Cambang told a local radio in an interview.

Lu died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds in the body while Jonard expired about two hours later while undergoing treatment in a local hospital.

Responding police found empty shells for cal. 45 pistol at the crime scene.

Lu is the sister of Dr. Roberto Cadulong, owner of Cadulong Hospital in Barangay Poblacion.