Tricycle Driver Gunned Down in Suspected Drug Hit

 

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 49-year-old tricycle driver in Barangay Enclaro, Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, on Thursday as possibly drug-related.

The victim, identified only as “Whisky,” was waiting for passengers on his tricycle when a lone gunman on a motorcycle arrived and shot him with an unidentified firearm around 10:40 a.m.

Police Major Jun Ray Batadlan, chief of the Binalbagan Municipal Police Station, said the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the back, which exited through his chest.

He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Batadlan said the victim was a former drug surrenderer who had reportedly resumed involvement in illegal drug activities, according to recent police monitoring.

He said police have identified the suspect, described as an alleged drug personality, which has led investigators to suspect the shooting was drug-related.

The gunman remains at large.

Batadlan added that a possible dispute over illegal drug transactions may have triggered the killing.