The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday, November 15, that the killers of the live-in partners who were shot in a bus in Minuli, Nueva Ecija could be "gun for hire."

Interviewed by DZRH News, Pmaj. Rey Ian Agliam, Chief of PNP Carranglan, said that the shooting could be the suspect's "plan B," as the victims were reported to have vehicles but did not use them, including not carrying a cellphone.

Agliam said that the suspects have clear backgrounds with the suspects and have knowledge of where they get off the bus after the crime.

The victims, who were identified as Gloria Antilano, 60, and Arman Bautista, 55, were said to be coming from Cauayan City, Isabela, en route to Tarlac province.

When the bus was traveling along Minuli in Nueva Ecija, Antilano and Bautista were unexpectedly shot by unidentified men.

Authorities are still investigating if the crime has a connection to Antino's previous filing of a case regarding carnapping.

Empty shells of caliber 45 and six-piece bullet shells, as well as 300,000 cash and bank notebooks, were recovered at the crime scene.

The two gunmen are still at large.

A dashcam video has been taken of the incident.