Bacolod mayor urges intensive probe into shootings

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Greg Gasataya urged the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to further intensify investigations into shooting incidents here to bring closure to these cases.

While the mayor acknowledged the strengthened police visibility of the city police force, he stressed the need for an intensive probe to help authorities identify those behind the incidents.

Among the shooting incidents, he mentioned the killings of Filipino Chinese businessman Romy Li, church driver Efren Banaglorioso, and the recent incident involving two brothers.

“Investigate further so that cases will be filed and justice will be brought to these persons,” Gasataya said.

On the case of Li, who was gunned down outside his hardware store in broad daylight on Sept. 9, Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, BCPO director, said they are awaiting the affidavits of witnesses to gather stronger evidence for the filing of cases against the perpetrators.

Police believe the crime may have stemmed from personal grudges or business conflicts, with the perpetrators identified as possible hired gunmen, but they have not yet established whether someone was behind the incident.

Coronica said the information they currently have is very limited, but he noted constant coordination with the victim’s family through their legal counsel, and he said that according to the family, Li had no threats, although police want to subject the victim’s cellphone to examination as it might help the investigation.

On the case of Banaglorioso, Coronica said they are also waiting for the statement of the remaining witness and are convincing that person to execute an affidavit for stronger evidence.

Coronica said the initial angle of mistaken identity was already disregarded, as they are now probing a personal conflict with a family or a person as a possible motive.

The 59-year-old victim was gunned down in broad daylight outside the church where he had worked for over 30 years on Aug. 24.

Coronica believes the perpetrators may also be involved in gun-for-hire, and last month the perpetrators’ getaway vehicle was recovered abandoned in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental.

In the recent shooting incident in Barangay Mandalagan here on Sept. 29, police are probing illegal drugs, a personal grudge, and a third party, with no other details disclosed pending the investigation.

The incident claimed the life of a 43-year-old man, and his 41-year-old brother survived the gun attack.