Caloocan couple slain; hubby works for solon

A couple were shot dead on Friday morning in the latest attack involving motorcycle-riding gunmen in Caloocan City.

The slain husband was a personal aide of Caloocan Rep. Dale Malapitan, who called on the police to immediately solve the killings.

Around 7 a.m., Justine and Margarita Bangay, residents of Phase 7, Barangay Bagong Silang, were walking home from the local market when they were both shot in the head as they passed Tala Cemetery, police said.

The shooter was one of two men who were on a Sym motorbike with license plate number 6775 PQ.

Witnesses recalled hearing Margarita telling the gunman “Kilala kita! (I know you)” before she was shot, according to the case investigator, PO1 John Rey Bello.

The motive for the killing was still being investigated, although Bello said the target appeared to be Justine, who had been working for Malapitan for the last six years.

Reached by the Inquirer, the congressman—whose father Oscar is the incumbent city mayor—said he was shocked to hear about the couple’s death as Justine had been a loyal, hardworking employee who served as his personal messenger and guide whenever he was visiting Bagong Silang.

He doubted whether the incident could be counted as another drug-related killing. “Knowing Justine, I don’t think he was involved in drugs. I wouldn’t have allowed him to be in my employ if my office knew he was a drug personality, ” Malapitan said. “It’s more likely that the killing was for a more personal reason.”