A 44-year-old man was shot dead in Zone 6, Barangay Camaya, Mariveles, Bataan after a heated argument over a ₱150 debt.

Police said the victim went to the suspect’s house around 9 p.m. to collect the unpaid amount, but the confrontation escalated quickly.

According to investigators, the witness, who is the suspect’s own sibling, heard the two men shouting before a single gunshot rang out.

“According sa witness, actually po ‘yun po ‘yung kapatid ng suspect eh. May narinig po siya ng sudden burst po ng firearm. Paglabas po niya, ‘yung kapatid niya explosive firearm po niya is ‘yung boga. And from there po nakita po ‘yung victim na nakahandusay po sa daan,” PLtCol. Mar Joseph Ravelo, Mariveles Police chief, said.

When the witness stepped outside, he reportedly saw the suspect holding an improvised shotgun or boga, while the victim lay on the ground bleeding.

The victim was rushed to a hospital nearby but was declared dead on arrival.

Ravelo said the dispute stemmed from a small amount the victim had been demanding.

“According po sa witness natin nagkaroon po ng heated argument po, nagkaroon ng altercation, so parang may small amount of money po na dinedemand po ng victim… According po sa witness, 150 daw po,” he said. 

The suspect fled after the incident. Police have launched a follow-up operation to track him down, while criminal charges are now being prepared.

The victim’s family is yet to release a statement.