Checker crushed to death; worker shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - A company checker was pinned to death in between two 20-footer container vans while doing an inspection at Pier 6 yesterday afternoon.

Edgar Soliano,50, checker of NMC Container Lines, died of severe injury. Inspector James Cirilo, port police supervisor, said the victim was checking some container vans when a trailer truck driven by Bobby Mendoza suddenly moved backward dragging the empty container against a pile of container vans.

Soliano tried to run but was eventually caught in between the two containers crushing his body. The truck driver was allegedly in a hurry that he did not notice the van at the back.

Mendoza was immediately arrested and turned over to the Traffic Patrol Group.

Meanwhile, a construction worker was mauled and shot dead by his four companions in Lower Pakigne, Minglanilla last Tuesday morning.

Roland Quirante, 23, of Barangay Pakulob, Dumanjug, Cebu succumbed to a gunshot wound in the head. The suspects were identified as brothers Agapito and Chito Pequero of Maasin, Southern Leyte and two other unidentified companions.

The victim allegedly had an altercation with Agapito that led to a fistfight outside the construction site where they are working. However, Chito and the two others helped his brother and mauled the victim.

One of the suspects fired at Quirante using an undetermined caliber of firearm. The victim died on the spot while the suspects fled.

SPO1 Roland Camello said that the victim and the Pequero brothers have an old personal grudge because the victim accused the Pequeros of stealing electrical wires at their previous project in Naga City. — (FREEMAN)