One dead in suspected ‘Terminal War’
GUNS-for-hire struck again early Thursday, killing a businessman and a passenger-van operator inside the premises of a motor repair shop on Jose R. de Venecia Highway in Lucao, Dagupan City.
Police investigators are looking into a business rivalry as the possible motive for the killing. Apparently, keen rivalry and power struggle over the control of the Holding Area for Passenger Vehicles at the former Pantranco terminal have been going on involving the victim.
Dead with three bullet wounds, two in the head and one in the chest was Jesus Caneja, 58, identified as the terminal manager and who operates a fleet of passenger vans loading passengers in the same terminal.
Caneja had just arrived at JRM Drive Thru for the repair of the 3rd brake light of his gray Hyundai Grace with Plate No. WSV 370 when he was shot from behind by two unidentified men on board a TMX Honda motorcycle.
The repair shop attendants in the premises ducked for cover when they heard three successive gunfires only a few meters from them.
They said the shooting happened so fast that when they managed to look up towards the scene of the crime, the suspects were already speeding away, headed towards Calasiao.
The victim’s son, John, who arrived a few minutes later, initially told newsmen at the scene that he was not aware that his father had enemies but police learned later on that the elder Caneja received death threats three weeks ago.
The younger Caneja also recalled that some weeks ago his father noticed that he was being tailed by people he did not recognize.
The reports bolstered police investigators’ suspicion that business rivalry was a motive behind the slaying. The victim’s business partners at the Holding Area have been invited for questioning by the police.
Drivers and operators of passenger vehicles loading at the Holding Area are tight-lipped about the slaying, and obviously apprehensive about offering information for fear of their safety.
The Holding Area, set up during the term of outgoing Mayor Benjamin Lim, by individuals reportedly close to the city mayor.
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