Driver attacks boss, family; 3 hurt

MANILA, Philippines - A woman was shot in the head while her daughter and her cousin were wounded when their family driver and his companions allegedly attacked them in their house in Culiat, Quezon City at past midnight yesterday.

Cindy Nakayama, 49, remains unconscious at the New Era Hospital, said Superintendent Michael Macapagal, commander of the Quezon City Police District Station 3.

Macapagal said Cindy was shot in the head with an improvised shotgun. Cindy’s daughter, Christine, 15, and her cousin Elvira Umbas, 56, sustained defensive wounds on their arms after being slashed and stabbed with bladed weapons. Umbas also suffered a shallow stab wound in the chest.

Macapagal said police officers are hunting down Cindy’s driver, Mark Andrew Dalde, who had been working for the family for six months. His companions during the five-minute attack remain unidentified.

Cindy’s relatives described Dalde as an arrogant man who often argued with his boss.

Investigators ruled out robbery as a motive for the attack as nothing was taken from the house.

Cindy’s maid told police that before she went to sleep at around 10 p.m. on Thursday she saw Dalde at the terrace on the second floor.

The three victims were still awake when the suspects barged into Cindy’s room and attacked them. Relatives staying in the house told police they heard shouts and gunfire.