Three people were shot dead by unknown assailants at their residence at Purok 4, Barangay Baloc in the town of Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija on Saturday.

According to police reports, the victims include an 82-year-old businessman, a male resident of Guimba, and a female resident of this town.

Initial investigation revealed that at around 11:30 a.m., a report came to the Sto. Domingo Police Station regarding the said incident.

Responding personnel saw the businessman sprawled dead in front of the container van used as living quarters, with his hands tied with steel wires.

Beside the businessman was the second man, the driver, sitting with his hands and feet tied, along with his neck.

Meanwhile, the woman who serves as the househelp was found dead near the bed.

The report stated that the door lock of the container van had been forcibly destroyed, and the cabinets inside were in disarray.

The items inside the car of the businessman were also in disarray, as if someone had rummaged through the vehicle.

Investigators found .45 bullet casings, a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, and other items.

The police are continuing their investigation into the matter to determine the motive of the crime.

The report stated that initial physical examination revealed that Victim 1 sustained gunshot wounds to the head and left arm, Victim 2 sustained gunshot wounds to the head, and Victim 3 sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the body.