By CESAR JOLITO III

Authorities are pursuing leads on the possible masterminds behind two separate broad daylight killings in Bacolod City, with both cases pointing to guns-for-hire as perpetrators.

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) confirmed that the gunmen responsible for the deaths of Efren Banaglorioso, a church driver slain on August 25, and Romie Li, a Filipino-Chinese businessman shot dead on September 9, have already been identified through witness accounts.

BCPO director, Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, said both suspects have records as hired assassins.

One of them, linked to the killing of Li, has a standing arrest warrant for attempted homicide and illegal possession of firearms.

Li, 52 years old, a well-known contractor-supplier and former president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers – Negros Occidental Chapter, was shot in front of his hardware store in Barangay 12.

Investigators noted that the gunman used a special type of bullet to ensure his death.

While Li’s family has been cooperative, police said they remain hesitant to share more details due to fear.

Coronica added that investigators are seeking permission to examine the victim’s phone for possible threats that may have been sent before his killing.

Not mistaken identity?

Meanwhile, Banaglorioso, a 59-year-old driver of Bacolod Cosmopolitan Church, was shot dead in Barangay Taculing.

Coronica dismissed the possibility of mistaken identity, saying the victim had prior conflict with a certain individual that may have triggered the attack.

Police are reviewing closed-circuit television footage from the crime scenes and coordinating closely with the victims’ families.

Investigators are also looking into the possibility that both killings were ordered hits.

“It is possible that both cases had masterminds. That is what we are trying to look into right now,” Coronica said./CJ, WDJ