Taxi driver gunned down inside QC home

MANILA, Philippines—An elderly man getting ready for work as an FX taxi driver was gunned down right inside his home in Quezon City past midnight Tuesday.

Police said the attackers of Johnny Merdegia, 60, were three men and a woman whose face was hidden by a scarf.

Investigators found more than 20 bullet casings of three different calibers of guns that were apparently used in killing Merdegia inside his home on San Bartolome Street in Barangay (village) Commonwealth as he was preparing for work.

Chief Inspector Edilberto Nicanor, investigation section chief of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said investigators were still looking for leads why anyone would kill the victim in such a manner.

“Whoever did it must have had an axe to grind against the victim; he was shot so many times, which indicates extreme anger,” Nicanor said.

The attack happened shortly after midnight as Merdegia, a widower, had just awakened to go to work.

Bursts of gunfire were heard outside.

His son-in-law, Isabelo Parenas, was watching TV inside his room when he heard shots. He went out of his room and saw three men and a woman firing their guns.

The son-in-law shouted, “Call the police!” startling the assailants who then ran away.

Case investigator Police Officer 2 Louie Serbito said the attackers apparently used guns of caliber .45 magnum caliber .22 and caliber .380, based on the casings and slugs fired and live bullets left behind.

Recovered were 14 .45-caliber bullet casings, one .45-caliber cartridge and five .45-caliber slugs; six .22-caliber magnum casings and two .22-caliber slugs; and two caliber .380-caliber casings and two slugs.

The bloodied Merdegia was rushed by his children Richard and Vanessa to the East Avenue Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

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