PUJ conductor hacked

CEBU, Philippines – A passenger jeepney conductor is in critical condition after he was hacked several times by a 69-year-old man while he was sleeping in a parked jeepney along S.B. Cabahug Street in Barangay Ibabao, Mandaue City past midnight yesterday.

Nicanor Veloso, 36, of Pardo, Cebu City and a conductor of a public utility jeepney plying the Mandaue-Cebu City route, sustained hacked wounds on his face, both arms, chest and other parts of his body after he was allegedly hacked by Jovencio Escario, caretaker of the PUJs being parked in the said area.

Traffic investigator Police Officer 3 Dante Flores said it was found out during investigation the suspect hacked the victim while he was sleeping inside one of the PUJs parked in the area.

Flores said during interrogation that the suspect has already warned the victim for several times not to sleep in the PUJs being parked in the area because of theft incidents.

Despite several warnings, the suspect still continued to sleep in one of the PUJs and this irked the suspect and hacked the victim several times.

The suspect was supposed to flee on foot, however, barangay tanods in the area were quick to respond to the alarm after the bystanders alerted them.

The victim was immediately rushed to Mandaue City Hospital but was recommended for transfer to Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

A frustrated murder case is now being prepared against the suspect who is currently detained at the Centro Police Station.