COTABATO, Philippines - A Filipino Chinese trader was shot dead by motorcycle assassin on Saturday afternoon in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga, police said on Sunday.

Justine Raphael Wee died on the spot after he was attacked by a lone gunman along the busy street of Veterans Avenue, said Edwin de Ocampo, head of Zamboanga police.

Wee's mother is living alone in Zamboanga. His father was also murdered several years ago.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack and policemen were investigating the motive as well the personalities behind the killing.