British man who loved the Philippines, killed in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines – He loved the Philippines so much he moved here, only to be shot dead allegedly by a man he had previously employed.

Tony Gilchrist, a British dive shop owner in Malapascua, was killed after sustaining 4 gunshots to the chest and two to the head. Gilchrist, 35, was allegedly shot by a security guard who previously worked for him before he was dismissed by Gilchrist for showing up drunk to work twice.

The Guardian quoted Gilchrist’s family as saying the diving aficionado “cared deeply about the Philippines.”

According to the article, Gilchrist actively took part in relief efforts after Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) ravaged the country, raising thousands of pounds from donors in the United Kingdom. He then personally delivered these to remote areas.

Gilchrist was shot at his scuba diving shop, Fish Buddies on Saturday, April 19, during Holy Week – a time when the Cebu island was teeming with tourists. Local police have arrested the alleged shooter, Melchor Alciso Jr.

“The hard truths of this tragedy are that my brother was let down by a member of his community, a community that he had done so much for,” the Guardian quoted Gilchrist’s brother Stephen as saying.

“The Philippines have lost an expat who loved their country and my family have lost a son, brother, uncle and friend to what seems a meaningless unprovoked murder.” – Rappler.com