TODA officer shot dead

MANILA, Philippines - A tricycle operator was shot dead Tuesday afternoon in Quezon City, police said yesterday.

Police identified the fatality as Romeo Dizon Sr., 45, an officer of a tricycle drivers and operators’ association (TODA) in Lupang Pangako, Barangay Payatas.

The victim died from a gunshot to the head following an altercation with another tricycle driver, according to Police Officer 2 Anthony Tejerero of the Quezon City Police District Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit.

Investigation showed that the victim confronted the suspect, Vicente Martoña, about the latter’s supposed overtaking in the flow of traffic in the area.

The conversation allegedly irked the suspect, who pulled a handgun and pointed it at the victim.

Tejerero said Martoña pulled the trigger, but the gun malfunctioned. Dizon walked away from the suspect.

However, Martoña followed the victim and allegedly pulled the trigger, hitting Dizon in the head.

The victim was rushed by his son to the East Avenue Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.

Martoña fled after the incident and is now being hunted by the police.