BATANGAS, Philippines – Three suspected drug pushers were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Nasugbu town a few hours after attending a court hearing on Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Inspector Renato Mercado, Nasugbu police chief, identified the slain victims as Felipe G. Torio, 55; Lydia de Vera Torio, 55; and Arnold B. Dulay, 35.

The victims are residents of Sitio Roxas Village, Barangay Lumbangan, Nasugbu, Batangas.

Wounded in the ambush was 35-year-old Alejandro Torio de Vera. He is being treated at Apacible Memorial District Hospital.

Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered 41 shells from a caliber .45 pistol.

According to a report, the victims had just attended a court hearing for drug cases in Regional Trial Court Branch 14 and were aboard a tricycle when they were waylaid by at least four hooded gunmen along the National Highway in Sitio Sagbat, Brgy. Lumbangan around 12:30 p.m.

Police said the victims were temporarily released on bail and are regularly attending court hearings before the ambush.

Investigators have yet to identify the perpetrators and the motive of the killing.