Sunday, September 24, 2006
Cops rule out vigilante angle in fatal attack on dispatcher
A motorcycle-riding man shot dead a taxi dispatcher in Pier 1, Barangay San Roque, Cebu City yesterday dawn, but the police said that vigilantes were not behind the attack.
Louiesito M. Solon, 45, who was also an ambulant vendor, died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Louiesito’s brother, Boyet, and two others said the assailant rode a green DT motorcycle without a license plate.
Pier security guard Jimmy Tañesa, 36, and taxi driver Nifled Gallardo, 24, told SPO3 Alex Dacua’s homicide investigators’ team that Louiesito was calling for passengers at 3:35 a.m. when a speeding motorcycle suddenly stopped in front of him.
The lone gunman then fired at least five bullets, hitting him in the right cheek, lower portion of the right ear, and in other parts of his body.
Louiesito died on the spot, and was brought St. Peter Funeral Homes for autopsy.
Homicide investigators and Scene of the Crime Operations (Soco) 7 personnel recovered five .45 pistol empty shells from the area.
Dacua said the gunman did not mask his face, which is what vigilantes do, and carried out the crime alone. Vigilantes usually operate in pairs.
Dacua said the initial theory as to motive—an old grudge—was bolstered by information they received that several drivers disliked Louiesito, who had a reputation at the port area.
“Daghang kontra nga taxi driver. Lagmit ani, duna’y nasilo niya nga driver unya gi-personal siya (He offended many taxi drivers. It could be that one took it personally),” Dacua said.
Dacua said Louiesito kept a low profile for three months after a man, who reportedly rode the same motorcycle, was asking at the port area for his whereabouts.
He came back only three days ago.
Dacua said they will check if Louiesito spent time at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center. (JST)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 24, 2006 issue)
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