"Habal-habal" driver shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A “habal-habal” (motorcycle-for-hire) driver was shot dead by an unidentified assailant yesterday evening in Sitio Tigbao, Barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

Police said Antonieto Flordiles, 40, a resident of Purok 3, Barangay San Jose, sustained four gunshot wounds and was rushed to North General Hospital but the attending physician declared him dead on arrival.

The Homicide Section of Cebu City Police Office, led by SPO4 Alex Dacua, conducted an on-the-scene investigation but said they could not yet determine the real motive of the incident and how the victim was killed.

PO2 Jodan Batucan said the victim was already lying on the ground with two gunshot wounds to his back and another two to his chest from unknown caliber of firearm when police arrived at the crime scene. His Honda Wave motorcycle, bearing plate numbers OF 9517 was also beside him.

“Dili pa ta ka-determine kung asa ang entry point sa bala kung sa dughan ba o sa luyo,” Batucan said.

He added that the only evidence they recovered was an identification card owned by a security guard.

Batucan said that it was hard for them to figure out if the suspect was the victim’s passenger or he was waylaid and then shot dead. The security guard of a certain establishment nearby who rushed the victim to the hospital heard the gun bursts but failed to describe the assailant since it was raining when the incident happened.

Batucan they already have evidence that will help them with their investigation.

“I-background check pa namo siya (victim) aron mahibaw-an namo kung naa ba ni siya’y kabangi nga possible mao’y hinungdan sa hitabo,” he said. — (FREEMAN)