Tube ice vendor shot dead in Caloocan

A man who was on his way to deliver tube ice with his nephew was shot to death by men in a taxi near a school in Caloocan City Saturday morning.

Virgilio Trinidad, 53, tube ice seller, of Pitong Bahay Street, Amparo, Caloocan, died on the spot from gunshot wounds to the head and chest, according to Police Officers 1 Eddielou Alon and John Ree Bello, investigators on the case.

Trinidad was driving a tricycle with his nephew when a taxi blocked their way at the corner of Balubad Bigaa Streets near the Amparo Elementary School around 9:30 a.m.

Val, 32, Trinidad’s nephew, told police one of the taxi riders, who was wearing a black jacket, a mask and a cap, got out of the cab and shot his uncle. The gunman then boarded the taxi again. No one was able to get the taxi’s plate number and other body markings, police said.

Recovered from the scene were three empty shells of caliber .45 pistol.

Residents said Trinidad, who was a former member of their Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team, was had no involvement in illegal activities.

Sr. Inspector Dennis Odtuhan, Caloocan North Extension Office chief, said that they are now looking into the business of Trinidad as the possible motive behind the killing. “May ka-kompitensya raw siya sa pagtitinda,” Odtuhan said. Police said closed-circuit television cameras near the area might help identify and apprehend the suspects.