Trade firm executive slain in traffic row

MANILA, Philippines - An unidentified man on a motorcycle killed a merchandising firm manager and hurt the firm’s messenger during a traffic altercation in Quezon City at past midnight yesterday.

Tugatog Trading manager Jonder Jao, 30, died of gunshot wounds while messenger Stephen Balbuena was grazed by a bullet.

Chief Inspector Benjamin Elenzano Jr. of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said the traffic altercation began along Araneta Avenue near Amoranto Avenue when the motorcycle rider allegedly cut into the path of an Isuzu Supercarry being driven by Jao at around 1 a.m.

Jao allegedly chased the motorcyclist until he caught up with the man along E. Rodriguez street. “The victim allegedly hurled invectives at the suspect while both vehicles were moving,” Elenzano said.

Police said the motorcyclist shot at the two victims. Balbuena said Jao told him he was bleeding and he rushed his boss to a nearby hospital, where Jao died.