Bacolod church condemns murder of driver
Published Aug 26, 2025 03:28 pm
BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod Cosmopolitan Christian Church (BCCC) has condemned the recent murder of 59-year-old Efren Banaglorioso who worked as their driver for over 30 years.
In a statement, BCCC senior pastor Rev. Michael Sequitin said they were saddened by Banaglorioso’s death and grieves with his family.
The church urged authorities to pursue his case with urgency, fairness, and integrity.
“As followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we stand firmly against all forms of violence, oppression, and injustice,” Sequitin said. “We refuse to be silent in the face of wrongdoing. We affirm that truth will not be silenced and justice will not be denied,” he added.
They called on the community to join them in rejecting violence, upholding human dignity, and working together for peace.
“We affirm the God-given dignity of every human life and declare that such acts of harm have no place among God’s people or within a just society. The peace of Christ will remain our foundation and our witness,” he said.
Police said his death could be mistaken identity.
“Today, we raise our voices together in prayer and in unity for our brother, Nong Efren, who recently became a victim of violence outside our very place of worship. This is not only an attack on one man but a deep wound to our whole community,” a church member said.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, in a statement issued on Monday, Aug. 25, said that this highly-urbanized city will never tolerate lawlessness.
“We will not allow fear to take hold of our streets,” he said. “We remain fully committed to keeping our city safe,” he added.
Gasataya condoled with the victim’s family and church. He assured that the city government will extend necessary support to Banaglorioso’s family.
He said that an immediate and thorough investigation is underway in coordination with the Bacolod City Police Office and those responsible will face the full force of the law.
Banaglorioso was gunned down by unidentified perpetrators on board a black vehicle outside the church in broad daylight.
Mistaken identity remains a possible motive and police are not ruling out personal grudge.