Trader, 2 others killed in Davao del Norte ambush

TAGUM CITY—A businessman and two others were killed following an ambush by unidentified gunmen in New Corella town in Davao del Norte on Wednesday night, a police report said Thursday.

The Davao del Norte police office said in a report the victims were identified as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) trader Rohel Gozon, 33, married, of Magugpo East village, this city; Arturo Gozon Cordita Jr., 27, widower, and a resident of San Roque, New Corella; and Carlos Abad, also of New Corella.

 Citing results of an initial investigation, the police said the victims were on a Kia Sportage SUV when ambushed in the vicinity of Purok (Community) 8, Barangay (Village) Poblacion in New Corella around 11 p.m.

 Witnesses, the police said, reported hearing gunshots and then seeing three people flee on a motorcycle towards the town proper.

 Policemen found the bullet-riddled bodies of Gozon and Abad inside the car that slammed onto a tree, while that of Cordita was found slumped by the roadside.

 The police said the victims might be on their way to this city when fired at by the gunmen, using assault rifles and automatic pistols based on the bullet casings found at the crime scene.

 One of the suspects was reportedly heard by witnesses as saying “tama na ‘yan (That’s enough)” before the shooting stopped.

 Authorities said they believed the assailants have waited for the victims at the crime scene and waylaid them as they passed.

 The motive and identities of the gunmen were still being investigated as of press time. Frinston Lim INQ