A Grab driver who was lauded on social media last year for giving a free ride to a sick passenger was shot dead in a carnapping incident last Oct 26, Grab said in a statement.
The perpetrator, who still remain at large, reportedly shot Gerardo Maquidato Jr. in the back of his head before fleeing with his car.
The slug exited through his left eye.
On Aug. 18 last year, Facebook user Divine Ornum shared in a post that Maquiadato dropped off her sibling from their home in Pasay to a hospital in Quezon City for free after learning that the latter was about to undergo blood transfer for her dialysis.
“Salamat nang marami kuya kahit sa huling sandali nang buhay nang kapatid ko napasaya mo [siya] kahit papaano,” shared Ornum.
Days after, Aug. 22 last year, Ornum sister died of complications due to diabetes.
And out of Maquidato’s kindness for the Ornum’s family, he even volunteered his car to ferry attendees of Prima’s burial.
“[Hindi] ako kamag anak pero ang sakit at ang hirap tanggapin [ng pagkamatay niya], buong pamilya ko nasasaktan sa nangyari at hindi pa rin [kami] maka paniwala,” Ornum said in a Facebook post.
In a statement, Grab announced that drivers, especially those on night shifts, may start to ask passengers for identification cards before starting the trip.
“In critical times like this, we ask for your support as we take additional measures to prevent this from happening again,” Grab said.
The company is also currently working with the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group “to ensure that justice will be served and perpetrators will be put behind bars”.
Photo credit: Divine Lactao Ornum, Facebook
