Cop, barangay watchman killed by gunmen on motorbikes

MANILA, Philippines - A policeman and a village watchman were shot dead approximately half an hour apart by motorcycle-riding gunmen in separate incidents in Quezon City Friday night.

At around 7:30 p.m., Police Officer 3 Ferdinand Eugenio, 47, a Caloocan City policeman who moonlit as a jeepney driver, was driving his vehicle (VBN-658) home when he was gunned down in front of a food store along Road 20 in Barangay Bahay Toro. An attacker armed with a .45 caliber pistol walked by Eugenio, who was sitting in the jeepney, and shot him several times.

Eugenio’s killer then went to his companion, who was driving a motorcycle, and rode off toward Mindanao Avenue. No one was able to get the motorcycle’s plate number.

Eugenio was rushed by his relatives to the Chinese General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival, according to investigator SPO2 Neil Garnace.

Ronald Santos, who is in charge of a jeepney terminal at the Muñoz Market, told police that Eugenio was one of the leaders of a group of jeepney drivers and operators who wanted to freely ply the North Edsa and Muñoz route.

Santos said they were opposed by another group of drivers and operators at the Muñoz terminal.

Caloocan police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos said the city police will provide financial assistance to Eugenio’s family.

Half an hour before the attack on Eugenio, watchman Alfredo Tirol, 55, was shot in Barangay Pasong Putik in Novaliches.

Garnace said Tirol was on his way home when a man on a motorcycle stopped by him and started shooting at him. No one was also able to get the plate number of the motorcycle.

The victim, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds from a .45 caliber pistol, was rushed to the FEU Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

The motive behind Tirol’s murder is still unknown, police said.– With Pete Laude