Manila  - A 46-year-old German businessman was shot dead Friday by two unidentified gunmen just outside his house in the Philippines, police said.

The victim, Martin Kessler, died from gunshot wounds to the head and body, said Chief Superintendent Elmo San Diego, a police district director.

San Diego said the attack occurred shortly before dawn as Kessler was walking to his house in Quezon City in metropolitan Manila.

"The two suspects suddenly came up to him and shot him several times," San Diego said. "The victim died on the spot."

San Diego said investigators were determining if the killing was related to reports that the victim was planning to lay off some employees at his software company.(dpa)