Victim shot to death, companion wounded in Los Baños over dowry dispute

Motorcycle-riding gunmen killed one victim and wounded another in Laguna's Los Baños town, allegedly over a dowry dispute.

According to John Consulta's Saturday 24 Oras Weekend report, the gunmen killed Ampawa Saidamen -  their main target.

Police investigators said that Saidamen was attempting to negotiate a solution to a dowry dispute when the suspects showed up and killed him.

"Naga-ask itong si Saidamen na ibalik ni... yung anak niya... na 20-years old. Yung nga lang, may kulang pa na... P200,000. Kasi, all in all, yung dowry, amounting to P350,000," explained Los Baños Police Chief Police Major Reynond Asistores.

(Saidamen was asking that his 20-year-old daughter be returned. However, the dowry was still short by P200,000. All in all, the dowry was supposed to be P350,000.)

In a follow-up operation, the Los Baños Police were able to arrest Janal Ameril - the suspect who allegedly drove the motorcycle used in the crime.

Seized during Ameril's arrest were a 9mm pistol and the clothes he allegedly wore during the shooting.

More evidence was also supposedly found on Ameril's phone.

"Around 12:05, mismo siya, kinuhanan niya yung picture ng Innova white in front of Ministop convenience store. Around 12:30, doon na sinagawa ang pamamaril," said Asistores.

(At around 12:05, he took a photo of the white Innova in front of the Ministop convenience store. At around 12:30, that's when the shooting took place.)

Ameril has not given any statement, and is being held by the Los Baños Police.

Investigators are continuing the search for the gunman and the mastermind behind the shooting. — DVM, GMA Integrated News