Report: British scuba business owner shot dead by security guard in Cebu

A British owner of a scuba diving business in Cebu was shot dead by his own security guard following an argument last weekend, a UK news site reported.

Tony Gilchrist, 35, labeled a "gentle giant" because of his 6'8" frame, died after being shot four times in the chest and twice in the head, UK's Mirror Online reported.

“Tony was shot dead, outside his dive shop by a disgruntled employee. As you can imagine this is a hard time for our family and for you, his closest friends ... I think it’s important to remember that Tone was genuinely the happiest he’s ever been and lived his life as a loving, generous, kind, thoughtful person, with no malice in his heart,” it quoted a statement from the victim's family.

According to the report, Gilchrist, who hailed from Staines in Middlesex had raised £10,000 for relief efforts for those affected by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

It added he also worked in local government and as a baker but fell in love with the Philippines while traveling.

Citing initial information, the report said Gilchrist was shot during an argument with guard Melchor Alciso Jr., 42, in the "Fish Buddies" diving shop in Malapascua off the northern tip of Cebu.

Gilchrist, who had reportedly fired Alciso for reporting for work drunk a second time, was declared dead on arrival at a hospital in Daanbantayan.

As of this week, the report said local police have arrested a man for the crime and were questioning him at the Daanbantayan police station.

"He was a gentle giant. Really placid. He was selfless and always willing to help everyone else. He had a huge heart," Gilchrist’s brother James said of the victim.

James and Stephen—another brother of the victim—have gone to the Philippines to bring his body home.

'Isolated incident'

For his part, Daanbantayan mayor Augusto Corro said the killing was an isolated incident.

“It is unfortunate that this incident happened at a time when the island was brim-filled with tourists, being a Holy Week. My thoughts and prayers are with the victim and his family,” the mayor was quoted in the report as saying.

Meanwhile, the Mirror report quoted a Foreign Office spokesman as saying the office was providing support and assistance to the victim's family. — Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News