Dentist shot dead in Pasay clinic

MANILA, Philippines–A dentist was shot dead by a lone gunman inside his clinic in Pasay City before noon Tuesday, the police said.

The victim, Dr. Carlos Tan Acuesta, 49, a resident of Barangay (village) Bangkal, Makati City was with his three-year-old son inside his clinic on the second floor of Don Antonio Building along Arnaiz Avenue at around 11:30 a.m. when the assailant barged in and shot him several times.

Senior Police Officer 2 Joel Landicho, investigator on case, said the police were still not sure if the boy or somebody else had witnessed the shooting since they have yet to speak to any of the victim’s relatives.

“But the people in the building heard successive gunshots,” Landicho said.

Acuesta was rushed to the Pasay City General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Llorca, Pasay police chief, said the dentist was shot in the face, leading investigators to suspect that the gunman’s primary intention was to kill the victim.

The gunman reportedly fled the scene, bringing with him the gun used in the killing.