Retired soldier shot dead in Tabuk City

TABUK CITY -- Authorities are still trying to determine identities of gunmen riding a motorcycle who killed a retired Philippine Army soldier here morning of Sept. 29.

Carlito Mercado, 55, who has just retired from military service, was reportedly changing the flat tire of  his vehicle along the road in Purok 6, Bulanao, Tabuk when gunmen riding a motorcycle drove by and shot him.

Probers found a single shell of a Cal. 45 firearm.

Police said they have yet to get an idea on who was behind and what prompted the killing.

Authorities also could not say if the gunmen are communist hitmen.

Right before the May polls,  communist guerrillas ambushed government troopers escorting Comelec personnel and paraphernalia in Tabuk City along the highway towards  hinterland Balbalan and Tinglayan towns.

The site of the ambush was about  20 km from Tabuk City, Kalinga’s capital town.