By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The cousin of slain drug lord RamyPoja was killed in broad daylight yesterday at Araneta-San Sebastian Streets in Bacolod City.

Police identified the fatality as 33-year-old Salvador Poja, Jr. of Barangay Singcang-Airport, a credit inspector for an appliance store company and part-time Zumba dance instructor.

Based on eyewitness accounts, the victim was on his way to work when he was shot by a motorcycle-riding gunman.

Poja was killed on the spot after sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to the head and neck.

In a follow-up interview with the victim’s wife, April, she revealed her husband was the cousin of the said drug lord, who was killed when police officers and other law enforcement operatives stormed his residence at PurokSibucao, Barangay Banago last month.

April said the victim’s father, Salvador Sr., was the owner of one the houses where Ramy hid after encountering Police Station 3 cops, led by their commander, Police Senior Inspector Victor Paulino, during their initial encounter on the day of the drug lord’s death.

However, April strongly denied her husband was involved in illegal drugs, pointing out, the victim was working an “honest job.”

Bacolod City Police Office spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, said, immediately following the incident, investigators from Police Station 1, the City Intelligence Unit, the Investigation and Detective Management Unit, along with Philippine National Police-scene of the crime operatives responded to the area.

Gabana noted, after reviewing various closed-circuit television camera footage from the surrounding area, they can only described the gunman as riding a blue motorcycle with no helmet and wearing a white t-shirt, black vest, and denim shorts.

He added, a motive is still being determined by investigators./DGB, WDJ