Taxi driver shot dead inside cab

CEBU, Philippines - A taxi driver was found dead inside his unit at a dark area along M. J. Cuenco Avenue in Barangay San Roque, Cebu City at 4 a.m. yesterday.

SPO1 Ruth Bongo-Violango of the city police homicide section said initial investigation revealed that the driver, Julito Jomuad, 64, of Ken Taxi might have been shot by his passengers. Two young men were reportedly seen rushing out of the taxicab around 1:30 a.m., around the same time Jomuad was estimated to be shot.

Violango said some passersby were the ones who found Jomuad dead around 4 a.m. and immediately reported what they saw to the police.

Violango said they immediately went to the area and found Jomuad lifeless at the driver’s seat with a gunshot wound in his left chest.

“Kana man gud dirang lugara, ngit-ngit na dira (The area is dark),” Violango said.

Police are now eyeing robbery as motive in the shooting.     

“Adunay mi nasakmit nga P1,100 nga kwarta gikan sa biktima pero basin personal ra to niya nga abot ug ang nakuha sa mga suspetsado kay ang halin o nakita sa biktima (We recovered cash worth P1,100 from the victim but that might have been his share of his earnings and the suspects might have already taken the bigger amount),” Violango said.

Violango said they have identified witnesses, but they reportedly refuse to cooperate.

Jomuad’s remains lie at the St. Francis Funeral Homes. (FREEMAN)