1 of 3 slain persons in San Carlos ambush on drugs watchlist

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – One of three persons killed in an ambush in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental two weeks ago was reportedly on the drugs watchlist of the city police station.

But Police Lieutenant Ruby Aurita, deputy police chief of San Carlos City Police Station, refused to identify the person.

The ambush happened while Andre Fajardo, 18, of Barangay 6; Russel Bucao, 40, of Barangay Rizal; Rudy Dela Fuente, 52, of San Juan Baybay; and Renante Chui, 27, of Barangay 6, on board a white Mazda sedan driven by Bucao were on their way to a cockpit arena in Barangay Palampas on Feb. 20.

Fajardo, a runner/helper; Bucao, who was hired as a driver that day; and Dela Fuente, a fighting cock handler, were killed in the attack due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Chui was wounded.

Aurita said they are still facing a blank wall in the investigation since there’s no witnesses who could give information on the identities or even description of the four unidentified perpetrators.

However, Aurita said they are closely probing the possible link of illegal drugs in the incident, considering that the owner of the sedan was an alleged drug personality.

In fact, police have earlier suspected the incident as a case of mistaken identity, but there has been no development yet.

“Wala pa gid ta lead for now, blanko pa gid kay wala gid witnesses,” she said, adding that the incident might fall into a cold case if there will be no progress in the investigation in the coming months.

On Tuesday, Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, public information officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said the car was sold to three owners but has yet to reveal the name of the current car owner.

For her part, Aurita said the three owners have nothing to do with the investigation since they have already sold the car to the current owner.

Aurita said they already have the name of the current car owner but refused to divulge it, adding that he is now under monitoring.

Police are waiting for the lone survivor to be discharged from the hospital to discuss the incident.

Aurita said that the survivor might help them in the investigation through his statement.