2 Indian nationals shot dead in Agusan del Sur

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Two Indian nationals were shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Trento, Agusan del Sur on Tuesday, police on Wednesday said.

Manjeat, 27, and Sukhander, 26, both surnamed Singh, and residents of Nabunturan town, in nearby Compostela Valley province, died of gunshot wounds following the 6:30 a.m. attack at Purok (Settlement) 5, Poblacion village, said Superintendent Martin Gamba, spokesperson of Caraga regional police office.

Gamba said the Singhs had arrived at the area, particularly at Espina Rice Mill around 6 a.m. and were shot by a lone gunman 30 minutes later as they were readying to leave.

Senior Superintendent Jerome Baxinela, Agusan del Sur police chief, said Tuesday’s killings targeting Indian traders were not the first in Trento.

In 2009, an Indian moneylender was also shot dead as he was collecting payments from borrowers at the town proper. That murder appeared to be business-related, the police official said.