Son of Cebu’s labor leader shot dead in apartment building

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A son of a labor leader was shot dead on Wednesday by a lone gunman who pretended to be looking for an apartment unit for rent in Barangay Sambag Dos in this city.

Richard Seno, 51, died on the spot after the perpetrator shot him in the head on the second floor of the family-owned three-story apartment at the corner of Urgelio and Tambis Streets, Barangay Sambag Dos, shortly before 11 a.m.

The victim was the son of lawyer Cecilio Seno, vice chairperson of the Associated Labor Union (ALU) and president of the Vimcontu Broadcasting Corportion, the owner of radio station dyLA.

The elder Seno said he had no idea why his son was killed because the victim had no known enemies.

His son managed their apartments as well as their resort in Liloan town, northern Cebu, the lawyer said.

A witness told the police that a man had asked if there was vacant unit in the apartment building owned by Seno.

She said she told the man that a unit on the third floor was vacant and for rent. She informed the caretaker of the apartment about the inquiry.

Seno later arrived and accommodated the supposed customer whose companion was waiting on board a motorcycle.

The witness said she went back to her room after she saw Seno escorting the man to the third floor.

She said she later heard two bursts of gunfire. She stayed in her room out of fear for her own safety.

It turned out that Seno was shot by the still unidentified man while the two were on the second floor of the building. The perpetrator then ran down to the ground floor and went to his companion.

The two boarded the motorcycle and fled, said PO3 Lou Pagara, homicide investigator.

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