Injured	Killed
1	0

Date: 17 July 2013
Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/54739-australian-trader-ambushed-critical

CAMP Olivas, Pampanga — Police are still clueless on the identities of two armed men who ambushed and critically wounded a wealthy Australian Wednesday night in Bgy. Manibaug, Porac town.

For the past five days, the Police Provincial Office led by Senior Supt. Oscar Albayalde encountered difficulty in establishing the identities of the suspects who gunned down Timothy John Wright, 50, single, of 107-A Sofia Street, Josefa Subd., Bgy. Malabanias, Angeles City.

“As of the moment, no witnesses have come out to describe the suspects, maybe nobody witnessed the shooting incident,” Albayalde said.

He said Wright is the owner of Affinity Hotel and Condominium on Fields Avenue, Bgy. Balibago, Angeles City. The victim was also involved in a construction business.

The ambush of Wright has sent a frightening message to other rich foreign nationals who invested their money in putting up huge hotels, condominiums and entertainment clubs in Bgy. Balibago and adjacent areas.

One of them, who requested anonymity, said his partners are threatening to pull out their investments for fear of their lives. “They claimed it is not safe anymore to stay in Angeles City,” he said.

Wright was among the numbers of foreign businessmen who were killed in Angeles City and Pampanga for the past few years. Their deaths remain unsolved up to the present.

Albayalde said the victim was driving a black Chevrolet Cruze LZ (RLF-899) when he was shot by riding-in-tandem assassins before midnight on Wednesday.

Police said the suspects got a chance on Wright after he slowed down due to a mild traffic. The victim was heading home after attending a friend’s birthday party when he was ambushed by the suspects.   

The victim was still under observation, under tight police guard, at the intensive care unit of St. Catherine of Alexandria Medical Center in Angeles City.

A SOCO team recovered at the scene six spent shells for cal. .45 pistol.

Investigators said the victim had received death threats before he was ambushed. Police are looking  at either love triangle, business rivalry or personal grudge as the possible motive behind the attack.