Riding-in-tandem gunmen storm beach, shoot caretaker dead

By: Jennifer P. Rendon 

A 27-year-old man was killed after “riding-in-tandem” gunmen stormed the beach resort where he was working at Concepcion, Iloilo evening of Dec. 5, 2019.

Police identified the suspect as Ricjo Jansen Batica, a resident of Barangay Poblacion, Concepcion.

Sources said Batica also acted as Iyang Beach Resort’s security guard sans the permit and firearm.

Police Major Jonah Galicha, Concepcion police chief, said the victim was at the resort’s entrance when the motorcycle-riding suspects arrived.

Benvenido Villareal, 51, who was also employed as the resort’s caretaker, claimed the two suspects called the victim.

Batica approached the duo thinking that they might be asking for something.

The backrider allegedly shot him thrice but missed, giving the victim the chance to flee.

But the gunman chased and cornered him in a store. The suspect again fired and this time he hit Batica’s neck.

Witnesses claimed to have heard the gunman saying “Tumba na” (He’s down) before hopping on the waiting motorcycle.

The two suspects then fled. Batica was declared dead in a hospital.

According to reports, Batica used to work for the Salcedo family.

Investigators believed that personal grudges might have triggered the shooting.