Jeepney driver stabbed dead in traffic altercation

A hot-headed jeepney driver failed to maintain his composure and attacked another driver with a knife over a simple traffic altercation yesterday morning in Tondo, Manila.

Witnesses said the two jeepney drivers almost collided with each other when they maneuvered for a choice spot to pick up passengers at the corner of Juan Luna and Morga streets.

Traffic enforcer Felix Taroja rushed to the scene, confiscated the licenses of the two drivers and told them to cool down and settle their dispute amicably.

Taroja said he turned his back to go back to his post when he heard a moan. He looked back and saw one of the drivers down on the pavement with a knife in his side, its handle sticking out. The other was running away from the scene.

Taroja identified the suspect through his driver’s license as Vercito Malate, 31.

The victim, Edgar Cuyson, 28, died before reaching the hospital.

Senior Police Officer 1 Dennis Javier, the case investigator, said Malate will be charged with murder.

The scene of the crime is a perennial traffic-prone area because of undisciplined jeepney drivers who try to outmaneuver each other in picking up passengers, according to Javier.

Traffic authorities have tried in vain to remedy the situation and instead depend on local barangay traffic enforcers to keep order.