BACOLOD CITY -- A businessman was allegedly gunned down by his companion inside a sports utility vehicle (SUV) during a heated argument on uncollected remittances in Barangay Villamonte here on Monday, July 22.
A BUSINESSMAN was shot dead inside his sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City on Monday, July 22. (Photo courtesy of Gracelyn Lobaton)
The victim was identified as Jun Alaba, 59, of Barangay Estefania here.
Police Capt. Francis Depasucat, head of Police Station 4, said the victim was driving a maroon vehicle when his companion, 34-year-old Ronel Rafael of Toboso, Negros Occidental, was allegedly irked after he was asked about uncollected remittances.
A commotion followed until the victim was shot. Depasucat said they are unsure if both grappled with the firearm.
Depasucat said the victim sustained a bullet wound in the stomach and was declared dead in a hospital.
Recovered from the crime scene were a fired cartridge, two dud cartridges, and a short firearm with magazine.
Depasucat said that Rafael gave them a statement pertaining to the incident.
Rafael was initially not linked to the shooting but later in the investigation, Depasucat said that circumstantial evidence pointed him as a suspect.
Depasucat said that Rafael was subjected to a paraffin test on Monday night and the recovered firearm was turned over to the PNP Crime Laboratory for ballistic examination and identification.
He said that paraffin test results will be released within two to three days. Homicide charges were filed on Tuesday, July 23, against Rafael, who is under police custody.
Depasucat said that the suspect had been working for the victim for a year now and would also refer clients to the victim’s lending business.
He said that they are still probing the incident and checking the background of the suspect if he had previous offenses.