Monday, February 17, 2014

BALAMBAN Mayor Ace Binghay asked the National Bureau of Investigation 7 to investigate a drive-by shooting in the town that killed two and injured two others.
“We would like to express our high regard to your agency as a true and honest servant of the people when it comes to investigation and solving crimes,” read Binghay’s letter, which the NBI 7 received last Feb. 10.
Binghay was referring to the incident that took place in Barangay Nangka last Feb. 7, where two locals--21-year-old Ernel Bucag and 20-year-old Rey Toong--died.
Their companions Clint Estan, 24, and his cousin Rhembran Estan, 19, were wounded.
“We want an independent investigation to resolve this case as we are not certain who are involved of the killings… to erase all speculations by the family of the victims and of the people of Balamban,” the mayor said.
Conflicting reports
In an earlier report, police said three of them were playing “bulitse,” a card game, while the other one was playing computer past 11 p.m.
There were unconfirmed reports that somebody had sought police assistance because the victims were noisy.
When the patrol car arrived, the police were pelted with rocks, forcing them to retreat.
A separate police report stated that men suddenly arrived on a motorcycle and fired at the victims.
The gunmen reportedly both wore a helmet and a jacket. They immediately fled after the shooting.
In an interview with a town policeman, it was learned that the victims, except for Clint, were known gamblers and drug users in the area.
The NBI 7 referred Binghay’s letter to one of their agents, who is now looking into the incident.


NBI 7 heeds mayor