A tricycle driver was stabbed to death by another driver in broad daylight in Lipa City, Batangas.
The victim was identified as Antonio Gacusan, 54.
Investigation showed that Gacusan stopped at a vending machine to grab a cup of coffee after dropping off student passengers at a school. It was at this point when the suspect alighted his tricycle, confronted Gacusan and stabbed him.
Gacusan sustained three stab wounds to the side, according to initial police reports.
The suspect was quick to flee the scene on board his tricycle, reportedly bringing with him the weapon he used to stab the victim.
"Kumbaga, parang inabangan talaga niya yung victim natin, parehas silang tricycle driver, parehas din sila ng todang kinaaniban. Based din doon sa testimony noong mga witness, nauuna ‘yung tricycle ng suspek and then mayroong four to five vehicles pa bago ‘yung tricycle ng victim," PCPT. Ricardo Cuevas, the Chief Investigator of Lipa City PNP, said.
"Nu’ng sila na lang dalawa, parang pinalagpas nitong suspek itong ibang sasakyan, pagdating nitong biktima, and then bumaba si suspek, nagkaroon na sila ng komosyon, tapos ‘yun nangyari na nga po ‘yung pananaksak," Cuevas added.
As of this writing, the police are conducting a follow-up operation to apprehend the suspect, a former president of an organization of tricycle operators and drivers.
Other members of the organization reportedly are not aware of any conflict between Gacusan and the suspect.
"Kinausap naman namin iyung mga miyembro at sinasabi nila na wala naman silang alam na pinag-awayan between doon sa suspect and the victim kaya hindi rin nila maisip kung bakit nangyari itong ganitong pangyayari," Cuevas said.
The victim’s son, Joshua, said his father was known for his kindness, and their family had no knowledge of any conflict he might have had with other people. He hopes for the suspect to surrender.
"Sana po ay lumantad na siya [yung suspect] para mabigyang hustisya ang nangyari sa aking ama. Wala siyang konsensya, panagutan niya ‘yung ginawa niya dapat," he pleaded.
The police have this reminder to the public:
"Ito pong suspect, accordingly, is nakainom pa and prior to the incident eh parang magkaaway yung mag-asawa, so siguro, isa sa tinitingnan naming anggulo is pangyayari sa pamilya. Kung meron po tayong dinadalang problema sa pamilya, huwag natin itong isasama sa daan kasi ito po ang magiging cause ng road rage and sa kasamang palad pa worse, nauuwi sa ganitong patayan," Cuevas said.
