Assassin kills trike driver, eludes Pasig cops

An alleged assassin shot a tricycle driver dead as he successfully eluded Pasig City policemen who were chasing him after he shot and critically wounded the son of a retired police official in the city yesterday.

Pasig City police chief Superintendent John Sosito identified the gunman as a certain Gunio, believed to be a native of San Juan, Batangas.

Sosito said they recovered a knapsack owned by Gunio in the tricycle of the fatality, Richard Jose, containing several used clothes, one of them with a printed name "Gunio," and a senior citizen identification card belonging to one Eufrocina Gunio Alvarez of San Juan, Batangas.

Jose, of Barangay Caniogan sustained a gunshot wound in the nape. He died while being treated at the Medical City Hospital.

Police investigators said Gunio was allegedly sent by one "Jason" to avenge his being mauled by Roque Peralta, 27, a son of retired Chief Inspector Benito Peralta who was manning the family-owned Mc and Up Bar and Restaurant located in Rotonda, Caniogan, Pasig.

The young Peralta sustained two gunshot wounds in the abdomen and is listed in critical condition at the MCH.

Investigation revealed that the young Peralta was manning the club when he noticed Jason, a former waiter in the establishment, arguing with his employees for not paying his bill at around 12:30 a.m.

Police prober P03 Oscar Boyles said Peralta accosted Jason and punched him in the face.

Jason reportedly went home and reported the incident to Gunio who rushed to the club armed with a .45 caliber pistol. Upon seeing Peralta, Gunio shot him twice in the abdomen.

A police prowl car crew heard the gunfire and proceeded to the crime scene. A brief shootout took place between the cops and Gunio who managed to elude arrest.

The gunman reportedly commandeered Jose’s tricycle at gun point and upon reaching a poorly lighted portion of Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, shot the victim in the nape, the police said.