METROPOLICE: Tricycle driver gunned down

CEBU, Philippines - Two unknown suspects shot a tricycle driver on the street Saturday evening in Sitio Iba, Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.

The owner of the tricycle, Mark Poblador Lara, 25, was shot several times while driving his vehicle. Police officer Joseph Ruel Cutanda of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office - Homicide Section said the shooting incident transpired at around 9 p.m. on General Maximo Patalinghug highway.

Lara was driving his rented tricycle when two strangers suddenly shot him, hitting his neck, right upper chest and right knee. The suspects immediately escaped and ran towards Tamiya in Barangay Basak.

Cutanda also reported that police officer Jason de Guzman who was near the incident area responded to the alarm and tried to chase the suspects but to no avail.

Police authorities recovered two empty shells of 9mm cal. pistol in the crime scene and a metal slug of an unknown caliber that was embedded on the right side of the victim's body. Cutanda said the killing may have possibly rooted from an old grudge. The victim was believed to have had disagreement with his fellow tricycle drivers way back March. (FREEMAN)