Habal-habal driver shot dead in Danao City; passenger hurt

A 31-year-old habal-habal driver was shot dead while his passenger was wounded when a yet unidentified person waylaid and fired at them along the road at barangay Magtagubtub in Danao City early Tuesday morning.

Roger Jaime Jopia, a widower and resident of Tupaz Street in barangay Suba, Danao City died on the spot after he was hit on his forehead with the bullet exiting through the back of his head.

His passenger, Rolando Bueno Esotto Jr., 28, a married farmer residing in barangay Kan-an, Tuburan town, suffered gunshot wound on his upper left arm and was rushed to the Danao District Hospital before moved to the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

It was Magtagubtub councilman Virgilio Prieto Manco reported to the Danao City police that a dead man was found at the barangay road at past 8 am.

Responding policemen, led by SPO3 Alfredo Tapia, together with medico legal officer, Dr. Eric Chavez, arrived at the scene shortly after.

Initial police investigation showed that at about 5 am, the victims were cruising through the barangay road when the gunman appeared and fired at them.

Taken from the crime scene were Jopia's motorcycle, which was brought to the Danao City Police station.

As of yesterday, there is no positive development yet in the investigation and SPO1 Rodrigo Roble Jr., told The Freeman that they are still conducting follow-up probe to identify the assailant and determine the motive of the attack. - Norvie S. Misa