Transport exec’s killing still baffles kin

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan — Mystery still shrouds the killing of the vice president of the Cubao-Pangasinan FX Drivers’ Association whose body was found dumped in a 30-foot deep ravine in San Mateo, Rizal last Thursday night.

Andres Cayabyab, younger brother of the victim, Joselito Cayabyab, 40, told reporters here Saturday that the killing still baffles them.

The two brothers live in a duplex-type house on M. H. del Pilar street here.

Andres said he does not know of any personal enemy of his brother.

He added that his brother was also very careful in choosing his passengers and could sense if any of them had an evil plan.

Andres said he last talked to his brother on April 25. The victim drove to Manila at dawn the following day.

Normally, Joselito did not stay overnight in Manila, thus his family got worried when he did not call up Wednesday night.

If it were robbery, Andres said his brother did not have much money.

He added that Joselito enjoyed good relations with his fellow FX drivers.

Teenagers gathering wood told police that they saw three men in civilian clothes pushing a maroon Isuzu Highlander with license plate WFH 559 into the ravine in San Mateo at about 4 p.m. Thursday. Joselito owned the vehicle.

While the vehicle was falling, the door on the driver’s seat opened and Joselito’s body fell and landed some five meters away from the vehicle, they said.

The remains of Joselito, who was shot in the right side of the head with a 9-mm automatic pistol, were brought here Saturday.

Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera Jr., a relative of the Cayabyabs, promised to help them. It was De Vera who helped reporters in the interview. — Eva Visperas, Cesar Ramirez