Driver survives shooting in holdup try of passenger van in Cam. Norte

PASACAO, Camarines Sur – A driver of a passenger van plying the Naga City-Daet route was shot and wounded in an attempted holdup morning of Tuesday, 15 September, in Basud town in Camarines Norte province, initial reports said.

The incident happened in a stretch of the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Tuaca when a passenger sitting behind the driver suddenly pulled out an unidentified caliber of gun and opened fire inside the UV Express van at around 10 a.m. Initial police reports tagged the incident as an attempted holdup.

In a video taken by one of the passengers, the driver is seen laying in shock while bleeding from the gunshot wound as the passengers decide among themselves to drive him to the nearest hospital. A pent bullet casing is also seen on the floor of the van near the driver’s foot.

The timely response of the passengers saved the driver’s life. He is now in stable condition and recovering from his injury. The suspect reportedly escaped the scene.

Several hours later, combined forces from the Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur police were able to arrest the suspect in Lupi town in Camarines Sur.

Recovered from the suspect was the gun, several bullets, cellphones, and money. It is not immediately known if the money and cellphones were stolen from the passengers of the van.

Initial police report said the suspect was a former member of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Investigation is ongoing.