Ex-leader of transport group gunned down in QC

MANILA, Philippines—A former leader of a local transport group was shot dead by four gunmen at a jeepney terminal in Quezon City on Sunday afternoon because of a suspected dispute within the organization.

The victim, Reynaldo Nazario, was shot at around 5:15 p.m. at the terminal of the group he used to lead, along North Ave., Proj. 6.

Case investigator SPO1 Neil Garnace of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit said the 52-year-old victim was the past president of the NIA-NPC-Mindanao Transport Association.

Nazario was a jeepney operator up to the time of his death.

Police learned from the victim’s wife, Charito, that Nazario had previously opposed the entry of additional jeepneys while he was still president of the transport group.

“The victim opposed the entry of the 15 jeepneys into the transport group as the routes of the 15 jeepneys were FEU-Regalado route, unlike the regular members who ply the NIA-NPC-Mindanao route,” Garnace said.

Nazario, a resident of Sauyo in Novaliches, Quezon City, was waiting for his wife at the transport terminal when the four men gunned him down.

Initial investigation showed that Nazario was waiting for Charito, who was at the Trinoma Mall. The victim was chatting with a friend, Rowena Espadera, at the transport terminal when the assailants suddenly appeared.

The four suspects approached the victim from behind and fired at Nazario without warning using .45 cal. pistols.

Garnace said the gunmen fled to nearby Road 1 where they flagged a tricycle driven by a certain Laddie Palisoc, after which they got off at Road 13 corner Alley 14 in Brgy Pag-asa.

Police, quoting Charito, said Nazario has been receiving death threats after he opposed the entry of the 15 jeepneys during his term as transport group president.

Police recovered 15 empty shells from the crime scene for ballistics tests. Garnace said hired gunmen may have been involved in Nazario’s murder and other shooting incidents of transport leaders. –Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer