BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A businessman died and another was wounded in two separate shooting incidents in this city on Wednesday night, Dec. 7.
Police identified the fatality as 39-year-old Ivan Magbanua, a resident of the city’s Barangay Singcang-Airport.
The wounded was identified as Renante Guillang alias “Sheena Agi”, a resident of the city’s Barangay Sum-ag but was temporarily residing in Barangay 2. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds on his head and shoulder. He is now recuperating in a hospital.
The first shooting incident took place around 8 p.m. Residents of Purok Sigay, Barangay 2 heard three gunshots.
Guillang was later found unconscious.
Residents initially thought he was already dead. However, when police arrived to take over the crime scene, they found Guillang still breathing, prompting them to call an ambulance and bring him to the hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, in Barangay Singcang-Airport, Magbanua was gunned down by riding-in-tandem suspects while he was driving a sedan-type vehicle.
According to Police Station 8 commander, Police Major Joery Puerto, Magbanua visited his cousin’s carwash shop in the said village prior to the shooting.
Evidence also pointed out that Magbanua may have tried to elude riding-in-tandem suspects before he was hit, and his vehicle subsequently hit a parked tricycle.
Magbanua sustained a gunshot wound on his head while police recovered 10 empty .45 caliber shells at the crime scene.
Puerto said they have already talked with Magbanua’s wife and she claimed that her husband had been receiving death threats.
As of yesterday, Police Station 2 investigators had three “persons of interest” in Barangay 2 shooting, including the lone gunman.
According to Police Lieutenant Jonito Pastrana, deputy commander Police Station 2, the shooting may have stemmed over the victim’s illegal drug activities.
Police believe that Guillang may have angered his drug buyers after switching shabu to tawas.
Police Station 2 records further showed that Guillang was previously imprisoned for illegal drugs in 2021.
Pastrana said they have talked with Guillang’s father who admitted to police that the victim had been using illegal drugs and it is also the reason why he had disowned him.
Police, meanwhile, are still investigating the death of Magbanua./PN