By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Bago City Police Station in Negros Occidental is facing difficulty in probing the death of a businessman who was believed to have been gunned down by unidentified perpetrators in Barangay Ma-ao last Tuesday.
Henie Maalat Sr., 49, of Barangay Mandalagan here was found dead inside his driven pick-up truck parked at the roadside of Purok Valero in the said village around 3:40 p.m.
Police Major John Joel Batusbatusan, city police chief, said they received a call for police assistance after residents got alarmed when the car which was switched on but was closed was parked at the area for more than an hour already.
Batusbatusan said Maalat was on his way home after delivering fuel for their vehicle and equipment at their quarry site in Barangay Ma-ao when the incident occurred.
A suspected bullet hole was seen on the window of the driver’s seat, a possible indication that the victim was shot.
However, Batusbatusan said they will have to wait for the official report from the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO).
Batusbatusan said they are currently facing a blank wall in their investigation, as they have no motive yet on the incident.
He said the family has not given them any information yet that could help them probe the case.
Meanwhile, a senior citizen was gunned down Monday night by an unidentified perpetrator at Barangay Bacong while he was sitting outside his residence.
Batusbatusan said that 70-year-old Alejandrito Emeterio managed to run towards their house where he fell on the floor due to gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to a hospital by his family, but was declared dead on arrival.
Batusbatusan said they are eyeing grudge as possible motive behind the killing, but he did not elaborate further as investigation is ongoing.
Police recovered from the scene four bullet shells and two live .45-caliber ammunition.
Batusbatusan said the victim was accused of allegedly peeping on someone.
“Pero daw ka gamay nga rason para patyon gid siya,” he added.
He believed there might be a deeper reason for committing the crime.
“We will dig deeper to determine the motive,” he added.
