Indian trader, companion shot dead

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna—An Indian businessman and his Filipino employee were shot dead by suspected guns-for-hire in Calauan town, this province, on Sunday, police said.

Palwinder Singh, 52, who was reportedly a loan shark (usurer), and Riz Lazarate, 32, of Barangay Batong Malake in Los Baños town, were on their way to a pawnshop in Calauan on a motorcycle when they were attacked by two gunmen, who were also riding in motorcycle, in Barangay Masiit at around 12:45 p.m., said Supt. Jesson Bombasi, Calauan police chief.

“The gunmen came from behind,” Bombasi said.

The police believed the shooting had something to do with the business dealings of Singh, who earlier received death threats as shown on a blotter report the Indian had filed in Los Baños. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon