Banana firm exec shot dead in Tagum City

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—A gunman shot and killed an official of a banana firm in this city on Saturday, police on Sunday said.

Superintendent Juel Neil Salcedo, Tagum City police chief, identified the victim as Warlito Manlod, 57, port manager of Lapanday Agricultural Company in Barangay Madaum in this city.

Salcedo said initial investigation by police revealed Manlod was watching a basketball game at the village’s covered court past 5:30 p.m. when the lone assailant crept from behind and shot the victim several times, killing him instantly.

“The gunman then walked towards a waiting motorcycle driven by a companion and sped to an unknown direction,” Salcedo said, adding an investigation into the incident is now being conducted.