Driver dead, two others hurt in Toledo shooting

CEBU, Philippines - A motorcycle-for-hire driver died while his two passengers were seriously injured after they were shot by two men who were riding in tandem on another motorcycle Saturday night in Barangay Poblacion, Toledo City.

The police identified the fatality as Joel Danlag, 26, of Barangay Tubod, and the injured as Gil Pialago, 48, and Teodoro Purisima Jr., 35, both from Barangay Luray II.

As per investigation, Danlag was driving a motorcycle with Pialago and Purisima as backriders when upon reaching Diosdado Macapagal Highway at around 9 p.m., another motorcycle drove alongside with them.

After a few minutes, the passenger of the other motorcycle pulled out a firearm and fired at the victims several times.

Danlag, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds on his body, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Toledo City Hospital while Pialago and Purisima, who also sustained gunshot wounds, were transferred to another hospital in Cebu City for further treatment.

Responding policemen went after the perpetrators but to no avail.

Five empty shells of a cal. 45 pistol were recovered from the crime scene.

Investigation is ongoing to identify the assailants and determine their motive behind the attack. —    Bryner L. Diaz/NSA (FREEMAN)