Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez warned the culprits in the killing of a grade 11 student in Brgy. Granada recently, to surrender or the full force of the law will be used until justice is served.
Caesar Distrito, the mayor’s spokesperson, said on Sunday, June 9, that that Benitez is urging the suspects in the killing of Nicus Balagosa to surrender immediately.
Balagosa was shot inside his house on June 2.
“Mayor Albee said that 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”, Distrito said.
Balagosa was seen by the suspects playing billiards and when he went inside his house the suspects followed him, the police said.
Balagosa was reported to the schoolmate of the daughter of one of the suspects, who was allegedly gang-raped.
The suspect’s name is being withheld to protect the identity of his daughter.
The police said Balagosa was not involved in the rape.
Benitez also urged the suspects of the alleged rape to surrender to the police authorities.
“Mayor Benitez reminds 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”, Distrito said.
The mayor also directed Bacolod City Police Director Noel Aliño to make sure that the family of the victim are secured as they claim that they fear for their lives.
He also directed the police to file “a tight case” against the perpetrators so that justice will be served to the helpless victim, Distrito said.*