Manila: A newspaper circulation manager was shot dead by two gunmen on a motorbike in the southern Philippines yesterday, police said.
Alfredo Velarde Junior, 45, who worked for daily broadsheet Brigada News, was in his car with 24-year old night club worker Irene Rose Geronimo on Mahogany Street in the Rosario village of General Santos City when the assailants opened fire, Philippine National Police spokesman Agrimero Cruz said.
The gunmen opened the driver's side door and shot Velarde several times, according to Geronimo. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the General Santos City Integrated Hospital.
The pair were parked in front of his office in a Mitsubishi Strada when the incident happened.
General Santos police chief Senior Superintendent Cedric Train said the investigation was focusing on Velarde's personal life.
Estranged wife Merlyn told the Sun Star Davao she has been living in Davao City since leaving their home in General Santos on October 28. They have three children.
Velarde also faced job-related problems, Brigada News publisher Elmer Catulpos told Sun Star Davao.
Two weeks ago, Velarde punched someone at a bar, Catulpos recalled, adding that a frustrated murder case had also been filed against him.
The Philippines is regarded as a dangerous place for journalists. A powerful political family massacred 58 people, including 32 journalists, in Maguindanao two years ago.
