MANILA — A tricycle driver was killed by a bullet meant for his passenger who was being tried for illegal drug possession at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court early Monday morning.
Marvin Columbino, 27, was driving along Galvez Street near the corner of Figueroa Street around 9 a.m. when he was hit in the back by a bullet apparently intended for his back rider, case investigator SPO2 Joel Landicho said.
The gunman’s target was identified as Brent Michael Bravo, 18, a resident of Facundo Street, Barangay 132, Zone 12. Bravo had just attended a court hearing on his case when he was shot by a lone gunman near the Pasay City Hall building.
The gunman on a motorcycle tailed the tricycle boarded by Bravo, his live-in partner, and his grandmother after the court hearing.
The bullet hit Bravo’s left arm and body, exited from his right side and hit Columbino’s back.
The driver was declared dead on arrival at the Pasay City General Hospital at 10:45 a.m.
Bravo was rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital and remained in critical condition at press time.
The gunman, who was wearing a bonnet and a pair of sunglasses, fled on his motorcycle.
Last Wednesday, a drug suspect who also came from a court hearing was gunned down by a lone gunman on a motorcycle near Makati City Hall.
Rey “Jolicor” Monteroyo, 20, resident of Lanzones Street, Barangay Comembo, was walking with his live-in partner, his sister and a child when he was shot near the corner of Angono and Osmeña Streets around 11:40 a.m., the case investigator, SPO3 Rico Caramat said.
Monteroyo’s live-in partner, Maria Cristina Primo, said they were about to hail a jeepney when she heard the shot. Before fleeing, the gunman fired a second shot at Monteroyo who was already slumped on the pavement, she said.
Caramat said a bullet went through the victim’s head from the left temple. The victim also sustained a gunshot wound in the back.
Monteroyo was arrested for illegal possession of firearm and possession of illegal drugs on July 23 by members of the Makati City Police Community Precinct 9.
The investigation report of PO3 Voltaire Esguerra stated that the police were patrolling Barangay Pembo when they saw four men in a dark portion of Escuela Street.
Two men fired at the approaching patrol car before running away. A shootout ensued as the policemen stepped out of the car and chased the suspects.
The suspects entered a house on Sampaguita Street where policemen found Monteroyo with a gunshot wound in the right knee and holding a .38-cal. revolver loaded with six bullets.
When Monteroyo was frisked, police found two sachets of suspected shabu (methampethamine hydrochloride). He was brought to Ospital ng Makati for treatment.
Senior Insp. Anthony Bagsik, team leader of the Station Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group, said Monteroyo was included in the watchlist as drug pusher and a hold-up man.
Monteroyo, who was out on bail, had just attended a hearing on the illegal possession of firearm case when he was shot. SFM