Bike rider shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A rider was shot three times to his death by two unidentified men while he was driving his motorcycle on the street in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City Monday night.

Police Officer 3 Lydo Pinos of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office-Homicide Section said the victim was identified as Jo Ryan Catubay, 33, a native of Barangay Lutopan, Toledo City, Cebu and a resident of Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City before he died.

The shooting happened around 9:55 in the evening.

Catubay, onboard his black KSR motorcycle with plate number 1993 TY with a friend riding behind him, was routing towards Tamiya in Barangay Basak.

Suddenly, two strangers who were also reportedly riding a motorcycle tailed the victims.

One of the suspects pulled the trigger and fired off three bullets, hitting Catubay on his back which resulted to his untimely death. He was lying lifeless in front of car wash and vulcanizing shops beside the street.

Catubay's unidentified friend fled off to undisclosed direction while the suspects sped off, taking the direction of Sitio Humay-humay, part of the said barangay.

The police recovered four empty shells of a .45 cal. pistol and one empty slug in the crime scene.

Pinos said the motive of the crime has yet to be determined. As of press time, a follow-up investigation was being conducted for possible identification of the suspect.  (FREEMAN)