Wife’s fear proves right as husband is shot dead

Aretired policeman was told by his wife through a text message that she did not like the way four passengers in his van were acting and warned him to be careful.

The driver failed to read the message – and the result was tragic. The retired cop, identified as Salvador Legaspi, 53, was shot dead by one of the four suspects in front of several other passengers in Tondo, Manila yesterday.

The incident happened at the corner of Moriones Street and Road 10 shortly after Legaspi began his route. Driving the van had been his source of livelihood before and after his retirement.

The victim was shot once in the head by what appeared to be a .45 caliber gun, and died on the spot. The suspects fled along with the 14 other passengers who ran for their lives after witnessing the shooting.

Erlinda, the victim’s wife, told police that she was outside the terminal and felt suspicious of the four suspects who were among the 18 passengers. She sent her husband a text message about it but the victim apparently failed to read the message on his phone.

‘Antonio,’ a barker at the terminal, said that Erlinda relayed her fears to him and that he asked him to tell the suspects to move to the back of the van.

“Three of the four men obliged but one of them insisted on sitting in the second row near the sliding door of the van. He had a cap and a headset and he really ignored my request,” he added. He was the gunman, according to witnesses.

Police described the assailant to be between 30 to 40 years old, about 5’4” tall, of medium build, brown complexion, and wore a black bull cap, T-shirt and pants.

According to the Legaspi ‘s personal data sheet, he was assigned at the District Holding Services Unit (DHSU) and retired in April 1, 2012. He is also a councilman at Barangay 47 Zone 6 District 1.

Antonio said Legaspi has been plying the route even before his retirement. (Jenny F. Manongdo)