Jeepney driver killed while wrestling with man for gun

MANILA, Philippines — A jeepney driver was killed while grappling for control of a gun with his assailant early Monday morning in Quezon City.

Jomar Talento, 29, died immediately of a gunshot wound in the abdomen on St. Vincent Street, Barangay Holy Spirit.

A man was seen struggling with the victim for possession of a gun, said the case investigator, PO3 Jamie de Jesus.

A woman tending to her sari-sari (retail) store in the neighborhood saw the two men fighting for the firearm at around 7 a.m. Monday. Minutes later, two successive gunshots rang out.

As the assailant escaped, the wounded Talento was able to run and hide inside the store where he died of his injury.

De Jesus said Talento’s family claimed not to know of any reason why he was killed.

Meanwhile, the bloodied body of a middle-aged woman was discovered hanging inside her house on Banahaw Street, Barangay San Martin de Porres on Sunday night.

Police are probing for possible foul play in the death of vendor Jacqueline Villareal, 44.

PO1 Louie Serbito, the case investigator, said the victim was found by her husband Garry Villareal upon coming home at around 6:30 p.m.

Serbito noted that a kitchen knife, a pair of scissors and a deformed fork – all blood-stained – were found inside the house.

A nylon rope was tied around the victim’s neck, with the other end tied to an angle bar.

The victim’s body bore stab wounds and cuts on her neck and both wrists, Serbito said.