Funeral home owner slain in Valenzuela

Employees at a funeral home in Valenzuela City suddenly found themselves making special arrangements for no ordinary crime victim—their own boss.

This was after 32-year-old Ruel Vitan, owner of RL Vitan Funeral in Barangay (village) Malinta, was killed by a still unidentified gunman during a heated argument on Tuesday. Police said the businessman was shot around 7:30 a.m. in front of his house on P. Miranda Street.

“Somebody went to his house. The neighbors said the two men started arguing, and then they heard shots,” Police Officer 3 Dalton Rodriguez told the Inquirer.

The shooter fled the scene while Vitan was rushed to Fatima Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, Rodriguez said. The victim succumbed to a single gunshot wound in the back.

The investigator said that apart from owning a funeral parlor located a few meters from his house, Vitan was also into buy-and-sell business, particularly dealing in cars.

“At this point, though, we can’t conclude anything yet (as to the motive of the killing),” the officer added.