Tricycle driver gunned down near own house

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A tricycle driver was shot to death a few meters away from his home at Barangay Minanga, Dueñas, Iloilo evening of November 5.

It was believed that 47-year-old Renato Dariagan died instantly due to a lone gunshot wound on his head.

Family members still rushed the victim to Don Valerio F. Palmares Memorial District Hospital in Passi City where he was declared dead on arrival.

According to reports, the assailant knocked on the victim’s home around 7:55 p.m. on Saturday.

He claimed that his motorcycle’s spark plug was not working and asked if he could borrow one.

Dariagan went out of his house and led the suspect to a makeshift garage beside their home where his tricycle was parked.

The victim’s son, Ralph, also went with them.

When Dariagan could not find the spare spark plug, he asked his son to look for his toolbox inside their house.

But before Ralph could open their house door, he heard gunfire. He immediately went back to his father.

Ralph saw the victim lying in a pool of his own blood while the rider who asked for their help was seen running and hopping on his motorcycle.

The assailant was seen driving towards Barangay Tinocuan, Dueñas.

Major Eleazar Climacosa, Dueñas police chief, said Ralph could not identify the suspect. The son also failed to take a good look at the assailant because the scene was dimly-lit.

Ralph claimed, though, that the assailant was wearing a black jacket, pair of short pants, and a cap.

As this developed, Climacosa said they already have a person of interest behind Dariagan’s killing.

He added that they are looking at personal grudges as a possible motive but he refused to go into details.