A "habal-habal" driver was pistol-whipped and shot several times by motorcycle-riding men at a basketball court in Barangay Doldol, Bacong, Saturday, in Oriental Negros.

The police responded to a report by Vice Mayor Lenin Alviola through text message that, victim Rene Morales, 29, married, a habal-habal driver and resident of Doldol, Bacong was at the house of Barangay Captain Bernadino Alcoreza with multiple injuries.

Morales was immediately brought to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete.

Police initial investigation disclosed that the suspects followed the victim when he came from Barangay Buntod on his motorcycle. Upon nearing the basketball court, he saw two men wearing bonnet alight from their motorcycle and pulling a gun.

They hit him once on the shoulder and he ran inside the basketball court where there were several residents. He was followed by the suspects, who, the residents with their gun threatened causing them to scamper for safety.

Morales fled towards the barangay captain's house, and the suspects fired several times before fleeing.

Recovered from the scene were six empty shells and one live bullet for a .45 caliber pistol and two empty shells for 9mm caliber. The police could not determine yet the motive for the shooting, but suspect that the incident was election related.*RG

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