A tricycle operator allegedly pointed a gun at a visiting foreign diplomat following a traffic accident in Barangay 4, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, late Saturday evening.

Police identified the victim as 31-year-old Nawfal Chajia, a Lebanese diplomat temporarily residing in Makati City.

In a follow-up interview with Kabankalan City police chief, Police Superintendent Rhea Santos, said Chajia was traveling in a sports utility vehicle when the vehicle collided with a tricycle.

Chajia got out of his vehicle and confronted the tricycle driver, who allegedly tried to flee the scene.

In order to prevent the tricycle operator from getting away, the victim attempted to remove the keys from the tricycle, prompting the driver to pull out a .45 caliber pistol, pointing it at the foreign national.

The keys were eventually returned to the tricycle operator, who proceeded to flee the area.

Santos said they were able to identify the tricycle driver, who surrendered to police yesterday. However, she did not identify the driver as of press time, as they are still conducting a follow-up investigation.

Santos said the driver admitted to the accident, but denied pointing a firearm.

The driver is presently under the custody of Kabankalan City police./DGB, WDJ