• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez yesterday urged the killers of Nicus Balagusa, who was shot and killed helplessly in front of his parents, inside their residence, to surrender immediately.
In a statement, Benitez said that the full force of the law will be used against them, until justice is served to the family of the victim.
Balagusa, a Grade 11 student, was gunned down in front of his parents in their house in Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City, on June 2.
The victim sustained four bullet wounds and was declared dead in a hospital.
Recovered from the crime scene were three fired cartridge cases of a .45 caliber firearm and two deformed slugs.
Benitez also ordered PCol. Noel Aliño, director of the Bacolod City Police Office, to make sure that the family of the victim will be secured, as they claimed that they fear for their lives.
He also directed them to file a tight case against the perpetrators, so that justice will be served to the helpless victim.
Expressing his sympathy and condolences to the parents of the 20-year old victim, Benitez said he cannot imagine the pain and sufferings of Nicus’ parents, that their only child was shot and killed in their presence, and in their own home.
The shooting incident was reportedly connected to the molestation of a 16-year-old on May 31 in the barangay.
Benitez also urged the suspects in the alleged rape case to surrender.
At the same time, he assured them that their rights will be respected, and they will be afforded all the legal remedies that they are entitled to, in accordance with the laws and the constitution.
The mayor reminded everyone that, “no matter what, no one has the right to take the life of another, and to put the law in his own hands. That ours is a government of laws and not of men, and therefore we should seek justice through our institution, and not in our means.”*
