THE Philippine National Police has formed a special investigation task force (SITF) to conduct an in-depth probe into the killing of United Auctioneers Inc. (UAI) chief executive officer and founder Dominic Sytin, a police official said on Thursday, November 29.

Central Luzon Police Director Joel Coronel said the SITF will be coordinating with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and other law enforcement units in order to arrest the gunman and to identify his motive.

Sytin was gunned down around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, November 28, after alighting from his vehicle in the driveway of a hotel in SBMA.

His bodyguard, who tried to shoot back the gunman, was also wounded in the incident.

Initial investigation showed that the gunman, who was wearing a face mask, approached Sytin and shot him several times and casually walked back and boarded a motorcycle driven by another man and fled.

Police said Sytin sustained at least four gunshot wounds, including one in the head that resulted in his instantaneous death.

Coronel said the gunman waited for Sytin in the area for at least two hours.

He said investigators are now trying to get the statement of the victim’s family to possibly get a lead on the crime.

UAI, established by Sytin at least 20 years ago, is the biggest company in the country that auctions off trucks and heavy equipment in Subic and Davao. (SunStar Philippines)