Cops looking for witnesses in driver’s slay

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL—The Laguna police are now searching for witnesses who could lead to the identity of the killer of the company driver of Honda Cars Philippines Inc. who was shot dead during rush hour on a major thoroughfare in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, on Tuesday afternoon.

Tairick Bonto, 24, was driving the company’s service van to deliver car parts to Caloocan City when he was shot dead along the national highway in Barangay Don Jose at around 4 p.m., city police chief Supt. Ismael Fernandez said in a phone interview on Thursday.

Bonto immediately died from two bullet wounds in the head and chest.

Police believed Bonto figured in a traffic row. “The van was parked neatly on the side of the road and it looked like he stepped out to approach another vehicle (on the inner lane of the road),” said Fernandez.

The police immediately ruled out robbery, saying the company’s vehicle was left intact. On the other hand, Bonto’s colleagues said the victim had no enemy, said Fernandez.

Bonto had just left the company’s plant located inside the Laguna Technopark premises and was headed toward the South Luzon Expressway.

“I’m pretty sure someone had witnessed it because it happened during daytime and it was usually a busy road,” Fernandez said.

However, people interviewed by the police at the nearest gas station, about 70 meters from the scene, said they only heard gunshots, he added. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon