Rebels gun down Swiss-Filipino plantation owner in North Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines—A Swiss-Filipino rubber plantation owner was shot dead by suspected New People’s Army rebels in North Cotabato Wednesday, a military spokesman said.

Colonel Leopoldo Galon of the Eastern Mindanao Command identified the fatality as Patrick Wineger, in his 40s, a resident of  Saguing, Makilala, North Cotabato,

Wineger was shot by two suspected NPA assailants on board a motorcycle, along Vilamarso St. Kidapawan City  7:40 a.m., Wednesday.

The suspects used .45 caliber pistol, he said.

The victim was active in peace campaigns in North Cotabato and prioritized former communist guerrillas for employment in the plantation. He was doing marketing chores in the local ‘talipapa’ (flea market) when the suspects pumped cal. 45 bullets into different parts of his body before fleeing on board a black motorcycle, Galon added.

Witness accounts that one suspect wore a dirty white t-shirt and a black baseball cap while the other one was wearing a black calico vest, he said.