Murder raps slapped against guard in Food Panda rider slay

Colleagues of slain Food Panda delivery rider Joemar Sanchez hold a Justice Ride and fundraising campaign on Monday. (Photo courtesy of Nawee Esrael via FB)

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A criminal case for murder was already filed against the security guard who shot dead a food delivery service rider on March 31, 2021 at City Proper district, Iloilo City.

Captain Shella Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Station 1 chief, said that the case against Argie Solis was filed before the Iloilo City Prosecutors Office on Monday, April 5.

Solis was arrested evening of March 31 at Sibalom, Antique, while he was believed to be on his way to their family’s place in Barangay Maria, Laua-an, Antique.

The suspect worked for Grabato Investigation and Security Agency and detailed at Malayan Bank.

He allegedly shot Food Panda rider Joemar Sanchez around 11 a.m. outside the bank located at Robinsons Place Iloilo at de Leon St., Barangay Osmeña.

According to witnesses, Sanchez was dripping with rain when he arrived outside the bank.

He allegedly asked about the information of a customer while placing the wet plastic bag of food on the security guard’s lectern.

This allegedly irked Solis who confronted Sanchez claiming that the latter soaked some papers placed at the podium.

Sanchez, a resident of Barangay Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City, even apologized for what he did. But this did not appease Solis who still gave him a mouthful.

This started a heated argument between the two.

Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Station 1 chief, said that Solis’ fellow guard just told Sanchez to leave the premises.

The victim did but he apparently heard something from the suspect which compelled him to turn his head and made a retort.

Sanchez’s reaction pushed Solis into a fit of anger.

The suspect immediately pulled his gun out and shot Sanchez who already had his back turned to him. At the initial shot, the victim tried to flee but Solis again shot him.

Witnesses heard at least four gunfire volleys and saw Sanchez with blood oozing from his poncho raincoat.

After the incident, videos taken by witnesses and CCTV footages showed that Solis walked past the victim’s body while putting on his backpack.

The suspect did not even bother to run while fleeing the crime scene.

 

JUSTICE RIDE

Food Panda riders held a justice ride for their slain fellow rider yesterday.

The ride started from De Leon Street, City Proper in front of a bank where the incident happened and ended at the victim’s House in Bitoon, Jaro.

Food Panda and other riders pooled donations to help Sanchez’s family.