Driver shot dead; man found dead in canal

CEBU, Philippines - A motorcycle-for-hire driver died after he was shot several times by a fellow driver in Liloan town while a resident of Barangay Duljo-Fatima, this city, was found dead with stab wounds on his body.

Renel Sugarol, 24, a resident of Barangay Tayud, Liloan, did not make it alive to the hospital after sustaining several bullets fired by the suspect identified as Jolito “Jojo” Abiar, 28, of Barangay Hubay.

According to the police, the victim and the suspect figured in a heated argument a few days ago during which the suspect chased the victim and stabbed him with a knife. The victim was lucky to evade the assault at that time.

However, late last Friday night, the two met again at a dark portion in sitio Kapulay, Barangay Tayud and a fistfight ensued.

In the middle of the scuffle, Abiar pulled out his gun and shot Sugarol. Wounded, Sugarol managed to run and was later sought refuge with residents in the area. He was later taken to the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, but died on the way there.

The police are still verifying reports that the two had quarreled over passengers.

Three empty shells of a caliber .45 pistol were recovered from the crime scene.

Meanwhile, Erwin Abellana, 32, was found with multiple stabbed wounds on his body around 3am in sitio Barbac, Barangay Duljo-Fatima yesterday.

Investigation revealed that Abellana was drinking with three of his friends in sitio Sto. Niño around midnight and left an hour later.

When Abellana’s friends themselves were walking home, they found Abellana’s body lying in a canal in the nearby sitio Barbac. 

Police are still investigating the incident to determine the suspect. (FREEMAN)