South Cotabato agri-trader shot dead in Sto Nino town

KORONADAL CITY -- Unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen shot dead this morning anagricultural products trader along the Surallah-Sto-Nino highway in South Cotabato, police said.Senior Police Officer 4 Herculano Tardaguela, Sto Nino town police investigator on case, identified the victim asJay Hidalgo, 40, owner of a Norala agricultural supply and resident of Norala, South Cotabato.Tardaguela said Hidalgo was driving his green Isuzu pick-up vehicle near Crossing Guinsang-an Sto Nino when two men on a motorbike opened fire on him at about 11 a.m.The victim, police said, was heading home from Surallah town when the suspects peppered him with bullets from cal. 45 pistol.Police said Hidalgo sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the face and body. He died on the spot.Using the same motorbike, the gunmen fled toward Surallah town.Motive of the murder remained unknown. Investigation continues.