AN unidentified gunman shot dead a Sri Lankan businessman along a busy street in Cotabato City Thursday afternoon. Capt. Kenneth Rosales, Cotabato City Police Station 1 commander, identified the victim as Mohamed Rifard Mohamed Siddeek, 46, of Semba village, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Col. Querubin Manalang Jr., Cotabato City police chief, said a manhunt operation is now being con-ducted by the police. Rosales said Siddeek just alighted his white minivan on Don Rufino Alonzo Av-enue in Poblacion Mother village when a man approached him and opened fire. The gunman quickly fled on board a motorcycle driven by an accomplice. Authorities also recovered empty shells of Cali-ber.45 pistol at the scene. The victim is believed to be engaged in the money lending business.
