CEBU, Philippines - A taxi dispatcher was found dead at his dwelling place near the Campania Maritima at the South Road Properties yesterday dawn.
Police identified the man as Mario Calumpiano, 27, resident of Barangay San Roque in Cebu City, who is said to be a taxi dispatcher at the Cebu South Bus Terminal.
Investigators believed that Calumpiano was sleeping on his mattress near the sea wall at SRP when he was shot to the head by an unidentified assailant.
A resident of the place, who only identified himself as "John" for security reason, said while he was drinking with his friends near the crime scene hours before the incident, he noticed four men passing by them as if looking for somebody.
Past midnight yesterday, a gunshot believed to be from a firearm was heard from the area. The resident said they did not bother to find out what was happening.
He said a neighbor woke them up past 4 a.m. informing about Calumpiano's body lying lifeless with blood on his mattress.
Investigators recovered empty shell of caliber .9mm firearm from the crime scene.
Senior Police Officer 2 Romel Bangcog, investigator at the Cebu City Police Office's Homicide Section, said they will be looking further into the incident, taking into account the witnesses' claims.
Bangcog added that they could not also determine the motive of the killing as they are still getting background information about the victim.
Calumpiano constructed a makeshift house on the sea wall of the coastal road.
John said he was left dumbfounded by the incident since he knew the victim as generous and accommodating.
In fact, he said, the victim often fed street kids who moved to his place.
He said the victim would reprimand children for doing offenses. —/JMD (FREEMAN)