Consul’s driver killed

Police are hunting at least two armed men after they shot dead early yesterday morning an employee of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in an attempt to steal his vehicle in Timog, Quezon City.

Victim Renato Mendoza, 37, reportedly a driver of a Korean consul, and a resident of Makati City, suffered bullet wounds in the head and body. He was declared dead on arrival at the Delgado Medical Center. A female witness identified one of the two suspects in a police file as a Marlon Gade, who is wanted for armed robbery.

Both men were armed with handguns of unknown caliber. They escaped with Mendoza’s red Toyota Revo and the victim’s firearm. It is not yet known why Mendoza had a gun with him.

Reports showed that the incident occurred at about 2 a.m. in front of Rommel’s Billiard Hall along Timor Avenue, corner Tomas Morato in Barangay East Triangle.

Mendoza was driving alone when the two suspects suddenly blocked his path. At gunpoint, one of the gunmen forced his way inside the Revo and shot Mendoza in the left forearm.

Sources said that the victim put up a struggle, was disarmed and then thrown out of the vehicle. He was shot in the head, before the suspects took off with the Revo.

Police said that the suspects were last seen heading toward the Delta Theater on Quezon Avenue.