Navy sailor shot dead in Batangas town

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines – A Philippine Navy sailor was shot dead in barangay Poblacion D in Rosario town of Batangas on Monday afternoon, the police said on Tuesday. Police Supt. Flaviano Garcia, Rosario police chief, identified the victim as Jovencio Lontoc, a 39-year-old petty officer of the Philippine Navy and resident of barangay Pag-asa in Taysan, Batangas. Initial police investigation said that at about 4:30 pm Monday, Lontoc was inside the JEP Store in barangay Poblacion when an unidentified gunman approached and shot him thrice. Garcia said that the victim sustained gunshot wounds on his chest and was immediately brought to the Sto. Rosario Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. In Tuesday's phone interview with GMANews.TV, SPO1 Antonio Umahon, Rosario police investigator, said that they have not yet identified the lone suspect who immediately escaped after the incident. "After shooting the victim, the suspect immediately left by foot and immersed with the crowd that's why the witnesses were unable to identify his looks," Umahon said. He added that police have not yet established the possible motives for killing Lontoc. Marlon Alexander Luistro, GMANews.TV