A SUBIC Bay Metropolitan Authority police line secures the area at the Subic Bay Freeport where United Auctioneers Inc. founder and Chief Executive Officer was gunned down. (Jonas Reyes)
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The founder and chief executive officer of a big auction firm was gunned down by an unidentified gunman on Waterfront Road here Wednesday night.
Police identified the victim as United Auctioneers Inc. founder and CEO Dominic Sytin, 51.
Investigation showed that the victim was about to enter the Lighthouse Hotel at around 7:30 p.m. when the gunman appeared and shot him in the back and the left side of his head.
Sytin’s bodyguard Efren Espartero tried to retaliate but he too was shot by the gunman, sustaining bullet wounds in the right side of his body and arm.
The gunman fled onboard a black Mio scooter.
Witnesses described the gunman to be 5’5” to 5’9”, medium built, wearing a blue polo with black inner T-shirt, gray pants, and red veil.
Sytin died on the spot while his bodyguard was taken to the hospital and in critical condition.
SBMA Chairman Wilma Eisma has ordered a lockdown of the Subic Bay Freeport, tightening the security of all sentries going in and out of the facility.
She also directed the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Special Weapons and Tactics team to thoroughly examine each person and every vehicle prior to their exit.
“The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority condemns in the strongest possible term what is apparently a targeted assassination of a business locator in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone,” Eisma said.
She added, “This is sad news for us, not only because a prominent businessman who has been a very active member of the Subic Freeport community has fallen prey to violence, but also because one life has been snuffed out just like that.”
The SBMA is working with the Philippine National Police and other investigating units to flush out the killer.
“In this light, we ask for the cooperation of the public as we impose strict security measures in the Subic Bay Freeport, and urge any person with information to help authorities solve this crime.” (Jonas Reyes)
