November 16, 2000, The Philippine Star, Trader gunned down, by John Unson,

November 16, 2000, The Philippine Star, Trader gunned down, by John Unson,

COTABATO CITY -- A suspected hit man of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) gunned down the other day a wealthy Chinese trader in nearby Midsayap town who refused to give "protection mo-ney" to the rebel group.

Senior Inspector Raul Supiter, Midsayap police chief, said the slain trader, Paul Chiong, owner of the PEC Merchandise store at the town proper of Midsayap, was shot in the head twice with a caliber .45 pistol.

Chiong's killing came less than 24 hours after the local police foiled an attempt allegedly by the MILF to bomb a hotel in Midsayap, some 50 kilometers northeast of this city.

Supiter said the gunman casually walked into the store of Chiong, approached the trader, pulled out a pistol and shot him in the head.

The gunman, whom witnesses said was clad in denim pants and jacket, casually walked away from the scene.

Sources from the business community in Midsayap said Chiong had indeed received extortion letters from the MILF, but ignored them. -- John Unson