The father of a Negrense, who had appeared on Philippine television and in the movies in the 70's, yesterday said the Los Angeles police still have not apprehended the person who killed his son in what has been described as a "road rage" shooting.

Benjamin Abella, 55, who is from Bacolod City, but lived in Cypress Park in Los Angeles, was shot in the head at about 6 p.m. January 15, while he was driving his white Honda CRV vehicle along the freeway in East Los Angeles.

Hermes Abella, who is based in Bacolod, said he was informed of Benjamin's death by his other son, Rocky, who also lives in Los Angeles. Benjamin, who studied at La Salle Bacolod, in the 70s, went by the name "Jojo Abella" and appeared on Penthouse 7 and in several movies.

His father said Benjamin was divorced and lived with his two dogs at the time of his death.

His body was reportedly discovered by a tow truck driver when he tried to offer assistance to the stalled vehicle on the center divider of the freeway.

Los Angeles Police Department investigators said he could have been a victim of "road rage" and that shots appeared to have been fired from a passing vehicle into the driver's side of Abella's Honda CR-V. Gary Grey, a classmate of Benjie from grade school to high school in La Salle Bacolod, said in his eulogy, a copy of which was furnished the DAILY STAR by classmate Sergie Tan, "Benjie was always searching for the meaning of life and the last we heard was that he studied Buddhism."

"The initial news of the 'road rage' victim described a young man of around 30. Benjie's brother, Rocky, said that Benjie always kept himself in shape. I guess his 'karate' formative years contributed to the maintenance of his youthfulness," Grey said.

Benjamin appeared in the movie of Lino Brocka "Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa" with Christopher de Leon. He also came out in stage plays like "Animal Farm" and "Phantom of the Opera" as a member of Philippine Educational Theater Association, Grey also said.

Benjamin's remains were cremated and buried in Manila, his father said.*CPG

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