By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Nine days after the brutal killing of a Grade 11 student in Barangay Granada, the five suspects remain at large despite calls for them to surrender.
Police Major Joery Puerto, head of the Investigation and Detection Management Unit (IDMU) of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said murder charges were filed last Monday against the five suspects involved in the killing of 20-year-old Nicus Balagosa.
Puerto reported that the criminal complaint named “Dondon” and his brother “Atan,” both residents of Barangay Granada, as respondents, along with three “John Does.”
The brothers were identified as the alleged gunmen who shot Balagosa in front of his parents at their residence in Granada Heights Subdivision on June 2 at around 7:10 p.m.
Their two other companions acted as lookouts, while the fifth suspect drove the getaway vehicle, a sedan.
Balagosa, who was supposed to celebrate his 21st birthday in a few weeks, was killed on June 2 after being falsely accused of involvement in an alleged rape incident involving the 16-year-old daughter of one of the gunmen.
Balagosa’s family is calling for justice for his death, as he was an only child.
Daily Guardian is withholding the names of the two gunmen to protect the identity of the alleged rape victim.
In addition to the murder complaint, police also filed rape charges last Monday against Balagosa’s two friends, aged 17 and 19, in relation to the alleged molestation of their 16-year-old friend.
The alleged rape occurred during a birthday party in the village, which Balagosa had left before the incident took place.
Puerto said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) granted discernment to file the case against the minor suspect.
Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez recently urged the suspects in the shooting and the alleged rape incident to surrender, assuring them that their rights would be respected and they would be afforded all legal remedies in accordance with the law.
Puerto noted that they are awaiting the issuance of arrest warrants from the court to conduct a manhunt operation for the suspects.
He added that they have a lead on the suspects’ whereabouts, but it requires further validation.
