Cabbie 'killed' by drinking buddy

A 33-YEAR-OLD taxi driver was allegedly killed by his drinking buddy in Jaro, Iloilo City, late evening of Oct. 21.

The body of Nelson Johann Sotaso was found floating on a creek at Riverplains Subdivision in Barangay Lanit.

Sotaso suffered injuries on his head.

Insp. Tranquilino Querubin, Jaro, chief police, said the victim might have been struck with a hard object in the forehead.

Shortly before the discovery of Sotaso's body, he was seen drinking with three other men.

Roving village watchmen later advised them to go home.

But Sotaso and the suspect, Daniel Oscares, who both live nearby, decided to stay.

At around 10:30 pm, a resident asked the two arguing.

Ronnie Baldosido claimed he went out of his house and saw Oscars at the edge of the creek.

He allegedly heard the suspect saying, "Saka da. Saka da. Kung indi ka magsaka, hampakon ta ka bato blood. "

Shortly later, Sotaso's body was seen floating at the creek.

Responding police officers arrested Oscar, who did not deny nor admitted killing the victim.

"He claimed he could not remember anything," Querubin said.

But the suspect's blood stained shirt was saved nearby.

Querubin said it will be submitted to a DNA testing at the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory.

Oscares is now detained at Jaro Police station for proper disposition of his case.