By CESAR JOLITO III
A contractor and construction supplier was shot dead while opening his hardware store on Bonifacio Street in Bacolod City’s Barangay 12 yesterday, in what police described as a brazen daylight attack.
The victim was identified as 52-year-old Filipino-Chinese Romy Li, a resident of Barangay Taculing and owner of Emerald Republic Hardware, which supplies construction materials to contractors and builders across the city.
Li was also engaged in construction projects, making him a known figure in the local contracting and supply sector, police said.
Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, said Li was about to open his store at around 7:50 a.m. when a still unidentified suspect — wearing black shirt, shorts and mask — approached and shot him twice in the head.
At least three other men, on board a getaway sports utility vehicle with no license plate, fled eastward through Luzuriaga Street after the attack.
Some of Li’s companions attempted to pursue the assailants but failed.
Li was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival, Police Station 1 commander Captain Francis Depasucat said.
Eyewitness accounts said Li went to his warehouse in Taculing and later fetched his mother and her caregiver before proceeding to the store.
Authorities said the store owner had no known enemies and was devoted to running his hardware supply business, making the attack both shocking and puzzling.
Meanwhile, Coronica said “it is still unclear what kind of contracts Li is involved in.”
Investigators are looking into Li’s work as a contractor and possible business-related angles as part of the probe into the motive behind the killing.
Police are conducting a follow-up investigation and dragnet operations to identify the suspects.
They are now also reviewing closed-circuit television footage as of press time, while gathering more witness statements.
‘Senseless act of violence’
In a statement, Mayor Greg Gasataya called the fatal shooting of Li “a senseless act of violence.”
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Bacolod City maintains zero tolerance for violence. There shall be no leniency and no refuge for those who seek to disrupt the safety and peace of our city,” Gasataya said.
“A full investigation is underway, led by the BCPO, with all resources mobilized to bring those responsible to justice,” he added.
The city government has extended its deepest condolences to the victim’s family and is committed to supporting them during this difficult time.
Gasataya has also scheduled a meeting with the Filipino-Chinese community and Coronica on Thursday, September 11, to hear their concerns, particularly regarding safety and security./CJ, WDJ