A MOTORCYCLE rider was gunned down by two unidentified assailants at Barangay E. Lopez in Silay City, Negros Occidental Wednesday, November 14.
The victim was Ramiro Toralba, 45, of the said village. He was a checker in a quarry site at the boundary of Silay City and E.B. Magalona town.
City police chief Noel Polines, said the victim was on his way home after sending his daughter to school at 7 a.m. when he was allegedly followed by the motorcycle-riding assailants.
The assailants then managed to overtake his motorcycle near the village hall and fired at him at close range.
“Some witnesses said the gunman was wearing a helmet, while the driver was wearing a cap. Others alleged that both assailants were wearing face masks,” Polines said.
The victim was hit on his head and died on the spot, while the perpetrators on board riding a black motorcycle fled going north.
Police recovered from the crime scene a deformed cartridge case of .45 caliber pistol.
Polines said the perpetrators probably monitored his routine and activities before they committed the crime.
Polines added that they are eyeing three angles behind Toralba’s death – a grudge, love triangle, and work-related cases.
“His wife alleged that the victim has an affair, and that he also survived an attempt on his life at his workplace before,” he added.
Polines said the perpetrators who reportedly attempted to kill him two months ago are probably the same assailants who committed the crime.
But they have no leads yet on their identities, as the investigation is still ongoing.
“We are also looking into the possibility that the incident might be drug-related because he was allegedly identified as a drug user, though he was not included in the drugs watchlist,” Polines said.