A businessman survived a gun attack allegedly perpetrated by his wife’s lover at his home in Alburqueque town on Monday night.

Victim Mario Sarno, 33, a resident of Barangay Bahi, Alburquerque and an owner of a native products store in Tagbilaran City was unscathed, but only because the gunman’s 9mm pistol malfunctioned as he was about to shoot him at point-blank range.

“Naa g’yud toy intention na mo patay kay nakadagan ning biktima nakatago unja hing sud sa iyang sakyanan, giduol unya pagkablit sa armas wa na man mo buto,” said Master Sgt. Niño Rey Basco of the Alburquerque Police Station.

Sarno who was hiding inside his Kia Avila then grabbed the bonnet-clad assailant by his shirt but he was able to flee and escape on board a motorcycle driven by an also unidentified man.

Police are now eyeing love triangle as motive behind the gun attack.

Basco said that Sarno’s wife Wilma, 33, admitted to having been in an affair with another man.

“Base sa nahinabi namo na asawa, naay laing laki siya [asawa]. Maong posibli na mao ny anggulo kay sa among pag-estorya sa bana kay wa man pud siyay giingon na naa gyuy kontra,” he said.

According to Basco, they found nine empty 9mm shells at the crime scene and two slugs.

The gunman repeatedly shot at Sarno hitting his car before he went closer to the victim apparently to finish him off but the gun malfunctioned.

“Nagpabuto na daan usa giduol kay nakatago man ang biktima sud sa iyang awto,” said Basco.

It was noted that Sarno did not receive a death threat and had no prior record with the police before the gun attack.

Police probers are now conducting a deep investigation on the case to identify the suspects behind the failed ambush. (A. Doydora)