Bus driver shot dead behind the wheel

CEBU, Philippines - Passengers of a minibus scampered in different directions upon hearing multiple gunshots when the vehicle stopped to take on passengers in Sitio Awayan, Barangay Poblacion 3, Carcar City, yesterday morning.

Two unidentified men on board a motorcycle drove up beside the bus and shot dead driver Lorito Fernandez, 49, of Barangay Papan, Sibonga town. He died on the spot due to gunshot wounds in the face and head.

Initial investigation disclosed that Fernandez was driving Allowie Express bus with license plate numbers GXC-197 plying Sibonga to Cebu City while assailants were already posted at a corner in Barangay Awayan near a department store.

Edmund Cabahug, 50, of Barangay Putat, Tuburan, a companion of the victim, said that he was at the entrance of the bus while they were loading passengers when the assailants drove up. The motorcycle passenger then disembarked and shot Fernandez point blank, two shots to the face and another two to the head.

“Nilili ko ug nilipot ko sa luyo kay gatuo man ko og pasahero iyang gihunongan, buto-buto naman dayon gatuo gani ko og pabuto lang pero pagtan-aw nako nituay naman ang ulo, patay gyud,” Cabahug said.

The driver of the red motorcycle was described as wearing a full-face helmet while the man riding pillion was wearing a red jacket, stood over five feet tall and was also wearing a full-face helmet.

Both assailants then sped off towards Barangay Liboron, a woman and a barangay tanod who were at the area told police that both assailants were really waiting for the minibus to arrive.

Police recovered three empty shells of a .45 cal. pistol believed to have been used by the assailant. A slug was also found at the front seat.

PO2 Rosendo Binondo, Carcar City police investigator, said they are still investigating what happened since Fernandez had been driving the bus for just under a month and formerly worked for Cañoneo bus plying Toledo City to Cebu City.

“Imbestigaron pa namo basin duna siya atraso sa pikas una siya nibalhin o personal lang,” Binondo said.

Cabahug said that Fernandez also did not have a good relationship with his wife whom he left with two kids for unknown reason.

“Nakadungog nuon mi’g estorya nga dunay nangita niya nga bana kuno sa garage sa Cañoneo,” he said. — (FREEMAN)