Riding-in-tandem gunmen kill trike driver

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Another riding-in-tandem killing has tainted Iloilo City’s “peaceful atmosphere” following the murder of a tricycle driver evening of May 23, 2020 in Jaro, Iloilo City.

The death of 44-year old Ricky Jinon came after more than two months since the last killing perpetrated by motorcycle-riding suspects (MRS) happened.

Jinon, a resident of Barangay San Isidro, Jaro, was driving his tricycle when two men flagged him down around 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Zone 4, Barangay Balabago, according to Police Staff Sergeant Saturnino Dela Cruz Jr., Jaro police investigator.

Jinon pulled over by the roadside. Some persons at the area claimed hearing five gunshot volleys and later found Jinon slumped on the pavement some 3-4 meters where his tricycle was parked.

“There were no witnesses to the shooting, as of now. It appeared that the victim alighted from his tricycle. For what reason, we still don’t know yet,” Dela Cruz said.

He was rushed to West Visayas State University Medical Center but was proclaimed dead on arrival.

The suspects boarded a motorcycle and fled, passing by the Balabago Barangay hall towards Bito-on village.

Police Captain Eduardo Siacon, Jaro police chief, said the victim succumbed to gunshot injuries on his chest and abdomen.

 

THREE MOTIVES 

Siacon said they are eyeing at least three motives for Jinon’s killing.

He confirmed that Jinon was on the watch list of illegal drug personalities being an alleged member of the Prevendido-Gregori Group.

Jinon used to work as a casual employee of the Iloilo City Hall. At that time, his name was involved with a certain Arsap, another alleged drug personality.

He was also linked to Rusty Jablo, a suspected drug pusher, who allegedly killed himself while in detention in General Santos City.

But Siacon said they are putting weight on the allegation of the victim’s family that he may have been killed because of an affair with a woman.

“He allegedly had a relationship with a married woman,” Siacon said.

Apart from that, Jinon allegedly stabbed a soldier but no charges were filed against him.

It can be noted that the latest riding-in-tandem incident in Iloilo City involved an alleged civilian agent of a law enforcement agency.

Angel Lademora, 50, of Barangay Camiri, San Enrique, Iloilo, was walking several meters from her daughter’s boarding house at Barangay Democracia, Jaro district, when he was shot March 5, 2020.