A business dispute may have caused the killing of a Talisay City barangay official in Bacolod City Friday, the police said yesterday.

Police Station 3 commander, Senior Inspector Leonardo Borromeo, said they are eyeing some of Felomino Paragat's former business partners as possible suspects in the shooting.

Paragat, 64, a kagawad at Brgy. Zone 12, Talisay City , Negros Occidental, was found wounded by bystanders near his Izuzu Fuego pick-up truck beside a flower shop at Lacson Street in Brgy. Bata, in the city, at about 5:25 p.m. Friday, police records showed.

Dr. Ruel Jalea declared him dead on arrival at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital from two gunshot wounds in his head, police reports said.

Borromeo said Paragat's family had told them that the official had no enemies in politics, and the only possible persons who may have a grudge against him are his business partners in a farm he leases in Murcia town, in the province.

He added, however, that he cannot divulge any names yet, as this may hamper their investigation.

Borromeo said Paragat's attacker may have been traveling with him before he was shot, as witnesses had told them that no other person was with the barangay official before the incident, aside from his companion.

He also said they are looking for more witnesses to describe the companion.

Robbery has been ruled out because Paragat's belongings, including his gun and clutch bag with P20,000 in cash, were found intact in his vehicle, Borromeo said.*PP

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