Australian surfer, 70, shot dead at point blank range while knocking back a beer in the Philippines

  • 70-year-old man shot dead as he drank a beer at the gate of his home
  • Globetrotting surfer and builder from Queensland settled in the Philippines
  • Police are investigating and reviewing CCTV footage

By Alison Bevege For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:54 EDT, 19 October 2018 | Updated: 04:08 EDT, 19 October 2018

A 70-year-old surfer from Queensland has died in the Philippines after being shot in the head as he drank a beer.

Reginald Rene Hodgens, a builder, was reportedly shot in the head at the gate of his rented home in the north-western coastal province of Ilocos Sur.

Filipino media stated he was killed about 7.45pm on October 15 at his home in the city of Sinait - a town of 25,600 people on the north coast of the province.

But the exact date of his death remains a mystery even to Mr Hodgens own family, News Ltd reported.

They believe he was shot at point blank range as he enjoyed a beer.

Mr Hodgens was taken to the Ilocos Sur District Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival, local news outlet Tawid Newsmagazine reported.

Police recovered one cartridge case and a deformed bullet from the crime scene, Tawid stated.

Philippines National Police senior inspector Edmund Artates was quoted by Philippines Lifestyle as saying Mr Hodgens had been living on the west coast in the town of Cabugao, but had left after filing a (court) case against a Filipino.  

'Perhaps, the motive, with revenge, is based on the documents we have detected, there is a case in Cabugao,' he said.

Police are investigating and are reviewing CCTV footage. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade cited privacy obligations for not providing any comment other than to confirm an Australian man had died and it was providing consular assistance to his family.  

Mr Hodgens reportedly moved to Townsville after growing up in Brisbane and had travelled the world as a surfer before settling down in the Philippines.

Filipino pastry chef Alexander Dennis said Mr Hodgens was a friend of his family and paid tribute to him on FaceBook.

'Justice for Australian Surfer Mr. Reginald Rene Hodgens.. a good man.. a family friend.. may he rest in peace,' he wrote on Tuesday. 

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A 70-year-old Australian surfer has died in the Philippines after being shot in the head.

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