Hitchhiking businessman killed

A businessman was shot dead by three unidentified men while on his way to deposit money at a bank in Parañaque City late Monday afternoon.

Police Officer 1 Arlan Perez of the Parañaque Police Investigation Division identified the victim as Raul Tuipeo, 49, married and resident of barangay Sto. Niño, Parañaque City. The motorcycle-riding suspects shot him in the chest, left shoulder and abdomen.

Tuipeo was rushed to the Parañaque Community Hospital and was later transferred to Medical Center Parañaque, where he was pronounced dead by attending doctors.

Initial investigation indicated that Tuipeo was on his way to Allied Bank-NAIA Branch when he chanced upon a softdrinks delivery truck being driven by Calito Alvarez, who offered him a ride.

As the truck reached Gomburza street in barangay Sto. Niño, the suspects on board motorcycles suddenly waylaid the truck and asked Tuipeo for money. He refused to give up the P96,000 he was about to deposit in the bank. The suspects shot Tuipeo four times in different parts of the body, then fled without taking the money.

Perez said police are now conducting a follow-up investigation to track them down. He added that they will also question the truck driver. – Rhodina Villanueva