KIDAPAWAN CITY – A fruit vendor was shot dead in an attack in his own hourse in Purok Guava, Barangay Singao here, around 830 p.m., Sunday, a police official said.
Lt. Col. Ramel Hojilla, chief of the Kidapawan City PNP, identified the victim as Mark Romerde, 32, a trader engaged in selling fruits in the market.
Initial reports said the victim sustained two gunshot wounds in the back and chest, killing him instantly.
Hojilla hinted that a business dispute could have triggered the killing.
But he said they have yet to gather enough proof to identify the suspect behind the murder.
A few minutes after the shooting, a fragmentation grenade went off near the victim’s house, which is located along the highway.
Hojilla said no one was hurt or nor any property destroyed in the blast, but noted that it caused panic among residents of Purok Guava.
He said the explosion could have been a diversionary tactic to distract police’s attention in their pursuit operations against the suspects.