American shot dead in RP

American shot dead in RP

MANILA (AFP): An American national operating a diving resort in the central Philippines was shot dead by a town mayor's bodyguard after the American struck the mayor in an argument, police said yesterday.

Jerome Goodman, 54, owner of Philippine Dive and Tours Restaurant in the town of Moalboal, was confronted in his establishment on Friday by Moalboal Mayor Marcelo Abrenica, who was angry about a billboard for the resort which Goodman had allegedly put up illegally.

An argument ensued and Goodman, whose hometown was not revealed, punched the mayor, prompting the bodyguard to shoot the American, the police provincial command said.

The mayor and the bodyguard were brought in by the police for questioning but were later released.