TODA head gunned down in Caloocan

The president of a local village’s tricycle association was shot dead by two men, believed to be hired killers, while driving his wife home late Wednesday afternoon in Caloocan City.

PO2 Allan Budios, officer-on-case, identified the victim as Rolando Satairapan, 48, a native of Catanduanes and president of the Tierra Nova Royale Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (Tienorotoda) in Bagumbong, Caloocan City where he resided.

Police still do not know the real motive for the killing although they said some in the know are pointing to possible in-fighting among members in the running of the local tricycle association.

Records showed the victim was driving his wife, Amelia, 46, home to Tierra Nova Royale on his tricyle (TX-330) at around 5:30 Wednesday afternoon when the suspects flagged him down.

Satairapan pulled over on the shoulder, but before he could fully stop, one of the suspects fired at him repeatedly, hitting him in the chest.

His wife was not spared and was hit on the left side of the head.

The suspects fled on board a motorcycle with no plates toward Valenzuela City.

The victims were taken by bystanders to the Novaliches General Hospital, where attending physician Love Ria Valdez declared the husband dead on arrival.

The wife was later transferred to the FEU Hospital in Lagro, Quezon City, still in critical condition.