Joselito Malig

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CRIME THUMBNAIL-CRIME

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

A 36-year-old businessman was arrested by the Lipa City police after being identified as the alleged mastermind behind the killing of his friend, who was also a businessman, reportedly due to a dispute over commission from a land sale.The 45-year-old victim had just arrived at an auto mechanic shop in Levitown Subdivision, Barangay Marawoy, when he was shot by riding-in-tandem assailants at around 11:30 a.m. on July 29.The victim was rushed to Metro Lipa Medical Center but was later pronounced dead.The suspects fled toward Leviste Highway.Through backtracking efforts by investigators, CCTV footage captured the suspects fleeing on a motorcycle.A few hours later, authorities noticed a man leaving the subdivision without a helmet. The motorcycle he was riding matched the description of the one used by the suspects.“Tinitingnan naming yun point of exit, hindi lumabas ng Lipa, nagtingin kami sa mga inner barangays, sinundan naming yun kulay pula na motor at may mga  identifying marks siya, after ilang minuto lumabas yung isang kasama wala ng helmet,doon siya naidentify,” said PLtCol. Aleli Buaquen, chief of Lipa City Police Station.The man was arrested and led authorities to another suspect, who was riding a different motorcycle and was also arrested after a few hours.They also pointed to a 54-year-old gunman, who was arrested in Barangay Bolbok.Recovered from the gunman was a .45 caliber pistol used in the killing.In his sworn statement, the gunman directly identified the victim’s friend as the mastermind behind the crime.They were reportedly paid an initial amount of ₱50,000 to carry out the murder.“First time ko lang yan, sinabi lang ho sa akin, yung taong yun nakatindig, nakashades na nakasapatos (ang target), yun lang ho ang nakita ko na nakashades eh,” said the gunman.“Ang pinag-awayan nila ay yung komisyon sa lupa, hindi daw nagbigay ng  percentage, hindi ibinigay yun share niya sa bentahan ng lupa,“ added the police chief.The alleged mastermind, now detained at the Lipa City Police Station, has refused to give a statement.Murder charges have been filed against the four suspects including the alleged mastermind.

A 36-year-old businessman was arrested by the Lipa City police after being identified as the alleged mastermind behind the killing of his friend, who was also a businessman, reportedly due to a dispute over commission from a land sale.

A 36-year-old businessman was arrested by the Lipa City police after being identified as the alleged mastermind behind the killing of his friend, who was also a businessman, reportedly due to a dispute over commission from a land sale.

Businessman arrested for allegedly planning friend’s killing over lot sale commission

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Businessman arrested for allegedly planning friend’s killing over lot sale commission

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 04, 2025 11:11 PM PHT

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Lipa City

shooting incident

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