Motorcyclist shot dead in Iloilo town

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A motorcycle rider died instantly after being repeatedly shot on the evening of June 25 along Barangay Talibong Pequeño, Mina, Iloilo.

It was initially thought that alias Pat, 47, a security guard from Barangay Dawis Sur, Zarraga town, was shot following a road rage incident with the driver and passengers of a pick-up truck.

Captain Ma. Rosario Miranda, Mina police chief, said they were informed by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office about a “vehicular incident” around 7:55 p.m., 25 minutes after the shooting.

The victim was rushed to the Mina Rural Health Unit, where he was declared dead on arrival. He suffered three gunshot wounds, two of which hit his head.

Investigators recovered the bumper cover of a pick-up truck at the scene.

However, the investigation veered into the possibility that the incident was drug-related after Scene of the Crime Officers found two sachets of suspected shabu in the victim’s coin purse.

A break-type 12-gauge shotgun was also found in Pat’s possession.

According to the victim’s brother, Pat had not been home frequently since his wife works abroad.

He did visit and check on his daughter, who was staying in the care of his family. The youngest in a brood of three, Pat had not informed his family of anyone who wanted him dead.

As this developed, Miranda said they already have persons of interest but declined to elaborate further.