LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- The president of the Lingayen-Dagupan Transportation Cooperative was shot dead here Thursday, June 23.
The Pangasinan Police Provincial Office identified victim as Petonilo Castillo, 59, of Camangaan St., Maniboc, this town.
Investigators said the victim was driving a Toyota Hi-Ace van with license plates NAY-5234 with his wife Evangeline, 52, at about 7:15 p.m. and stopped on Castillo St. to give way to passing vehicles when unidentified men approached the driver’s door.
One of them drew a firearm and fired at the victim three times. Evangeline said that her husband had a gun with him and was able to return fire.
The gunmen fled and Evangeline rushed her husband to the Jesus Nazarene Hospital where he declared dead on arrival by Dr. Noel Frias.
The gun, a caliber .45 Taurus Pistol 1911 registered under the name of the victim, chamber loaded, and a magazine with four bullets was recovered.
The victim's firearm is registered and has a permit to carry. The gun will be submitted to the Pangasinan Provincial Forensic Unit in Libsong West, Lingayen for ballistic examination.
Police have yet to determine the motive of the incident.