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Car used in murder of church driver recovered

Philippines | Visayas

Car used in murder of church driver recovered

By Glazyl Masculino

POLICE mark recovered bullet shells folloeing the murder of a 59-year-old church driver in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City on Aug. 24. (Photo courtesy of Gracelyn Lobaton)

POLICE mark recovered bullet shells folloeing the murder of a 59-year-old church driver in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City on Aug. 24. (Photo courtesy of Gracelyn Lobaton)

BACOLOD CITY – Police recently recovered a car allegedly used in the fatal shooting of a church driver here last month.

The vehicle was found in Barangay Pandanon, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, Police Major Ryan Villasario, Don Salvador Benedicto police chief, said.

Police Lt. Meller Dionio, spokesperson for the Bacolod City Police Office, said authorities were alerted about the abandoned vehicle, which was determined to be connected to the Aug. 24 killing of Efren Banaglorioso in Barangay Taculing here.

The 59-year-old victim was gunned down in broad daylight outside the church where he worked for over 30 years. The gunman and driver rode a black Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) during the incident.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Police Lt. Col. Lester Leada, deputy city director for operations of the BCPO, has been formed to focus on the case.

Dionio confirmed that the car’s owner has been identified and is cooperating with the investigation. The vehicle was reportedly borrowed by the suspects.

Police have two persons of interest but their identities remain undisclosed pending further investigation. The car is currently being held in a secure, undisclosed location.

While no major pieces of evidence were recovered from the vehicle, Dionio said its discovery is a significant development in their investigation.

Initially suspected to be a case of mistaken identity due to the victim’s clean record, investigators are now considering other possible motives, including personal grudges.

Dionio said that mistaken identity is now the least likely angle.

Related Tags

Bacolod City Murder Deaths Crime Shooting

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