DAVAO CITY — Former policeman Rodolfo “Pinky” Aquino, tagged in the recent shooting of a trader and his 40-year-old woman companion, has surrendered to Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The 61-year-old Aquino, now a businessman, was the suspect in the shooting of trader Mariano Abella, 62, a resident of Ladislawa Village, Buhangin, and Melaida Arboleda Ursua, 44, a resident of Pag-asa, Buhangin, this city.

Aquino surrendered to Duterte eight days after the incident. The victims are still recuperating at a local hospital.

Duterte turned over Aquino to Davao City Police Office director Rene Aspera.

Records showed that at around 9:45 a.m., a heated argument ensued between Abella and Aquino at the parking area of BO’s Coffee on Jan. 14.

But the cause of the altercation was not clear.

Witnesses only said Abella and his 44-year-old woman companion Melaida Ursua reached the parking area of BO’s Coffee on board a Honda Civic car followed by Aquino who boarded his Mitsubishi Strada pick-up.

At the height of their altercation at the parking area, Aquino pulled out his handgun and shot Abella twice. One of the bullets also hit the thigh of the woman.

The two victims were rushed to hospital while Aquino went back to his vehicle and sped off, witnesses said. (PNA)

scs/hbc/Jessie L. Casalda/ldp