BACOLOD City – A tricycle driver was shot dead by a still unidentified assailant near a mall along Rizal Street, Reclamation Area around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Joenil Pahilanga was a 28-year-old resident of Purok Cabugwason, Barangay Mansilingan.
Police Major Elmer Bonilla, commander of the city’s Police Station 1, said Pahilanga was sitting on his motorcycle waiting for commuters when a motorcycle-riding gunman shot him.
Despite Police Station 1 being just a few meters from the crime scene, the suspect still managed to escape. The shooting occurred during rush hour, and it was believed that the gunman used the panic of the fleeing crowd and vehicles as cover to elude the police.
Pahilanga was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, but the attending physician declared him “dead on arrival” due to a headshot wound.
Police recovered a spent .45 caliber cartridge at the crime scene.
The cops are still investigating the motives and are also looking into the victim’s background. (Watchmen Daily Journal)
