Bullet for drug suspect kills trike driver

A TRICYCLE driver ended up as collateral damage after a bullet meant for a drug suspect struck and killed him near the Pasay City Hall on Monday morning.

The gunman’s real target—the victim’s passenger who had just attended a court hearing on illegal drug possession—was wounded and reported to be in critical condition.

Marvin Columbino, 27, was driving near the corner of Galvez and Figueroa Streets around 9 a.m. on Monday when he was hit by a bullet apparently intended for his back rider, case investigator SPO2 Joel Landicho said.

Columbino’s passenger was identified as Brent Michael Bravo, 18, a resident of Facundo Street, Barangay 132, Zone 12.

A man on a motorcycle had tailed the tricycle boarded by Bravo, his live-in partner and grandmother after the court hearing.

The bullet hit Bravo’s left arm and body, exited through his right side and struck Columbino in the back.

The tricycle driver was declared dead on arrival at Pasay City General Hospital at 10:45 a.m. Bravo, on the other hand, was rushed to San Juan de Dios Hospital where he was reported to be in serious condition.

Gunman escapes

The gunman, who was wearing a bonnet and sunglasses, fled on his motorcycle.

Last Wednesday, a drug suspect who had also just attended a court hearing was gunned down by a lone motorcycle rider near the Makati City Hall.

Rey “Jolicor” Monteroyo, 20, a resident of Lanzones Street, Barangay Comembo, was walking with his live-in partner, his sister and a child when he was shot on Angono Street at 11:40 a.m., case investigator SPO3 Rico Caramat said.

Monteroyo’s live-in partner, Maria Cristina Primo, said they were about to hail a jeepney when he was shot. Before fleeing, the gunman fired a second time at Monteroyo who was already slumped on the pavement, she added.

Caramat said a bullet went through the victim’s head from the left temple. He also suffered a gunshot wound in the back.

Monteroyo was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and drug possession on July 23 by members of the Makati City Police Community Precinct 9.

According to the investigation report of PO3 Voltaire Esguerra, 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 chase and a shootout ensued, resulting in the arrest of Monteroyo who was found 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” (methamphetamine hydrochloride). He was brought to the Ospital ng Makati for treatment.

Senior Insp. Anthony Bagsik, team leader of the Station Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group, said Monteroyo was on their watch list as a drug pusher and holdup man. At the time he was shot, he was out on bail.