Barber shot by former employer

MANILA, Philippines—A barber who put up his own shop was shot and killed Tuesday night in Quezon City by a former employer who supposedly resented the competition and had opposed the establishment of a new barbershop on the block, police said.

PO2 Hermogenes Capili of the Quezon City Police District identified the victim as Ferdinand Caling, 31, a resident and owner of Magic Touch Salon and Barber Shop located at Bahay Caridad Bayani Street in  Barangay Doña Imelda.

Capili said the victim  was shot inside his shop, and died on the spot from two gunshot wounds in the head and one in the chest.

Capili identified the assailant as Francisco Franco, alias Jun, whose barber shop is located not far from the victim’s.

The victim’s live-in-partner, Rowena Valbuena, told police that she saw the suspect repeatedly shoot   Caling, who had worked at Franco’s barbershop some time ago but resigned to work abroad so he could earn some money to put up his own shop. He put up his own shop last year, Capili said.

Jonel dela Torre, an employee of the slain barber, told investigators Franco came into the shop acting as if he were a customer, and asked for a hair dye job.

Torre said he stepped out of the shop for a snack when he heard shots.

Franco escaped after the shooting and remains at large, Capili said.

Capili gave “possible business rivalry” as the motive for the killing.

“The customers of the suspect were dwindling and most of them patronized the victim’s shop now,” Capili said.