The brutal act of violence that led to the death of a church worker has no place in Bacolod City, Mayor Greg Gasataya said on Monday, August 25.
Efren Banaglorioso, 59, a driver for the Bacolod Cosmopolitan Christian Church, was mercilessly shot multiple times in front of the church at the Circumferential Road in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City, on Sunday morning by a still-unidentified gunman who escaped aboard a black SUV.
“Bacolod will never tolerate lawlessness. We will not allow fear to take hold of our streets. We stand firm against violence and remain fully committed to keeping our city safe,” Gasataya said.
The mayor assured that an immediate and thorough investigation is underway in coordination with the Bacolod City Police Office, and those responsible will face the full force of the law.
The mayor also expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and church community and said the city government would extend necessary support to the family during this difficult time.
It could have been a case of mistaken identity, Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod police director, said on Monday, noting that Banaglorioso had no criminal record or known enemies.
Coronica assured that a further investigation to determine the cause of the killing and resolve the case was ongoing.
The death of Banaglorioso, a father of four who had served the church for 37 years, came as a shock to his churchmates and friends as he was not known to have any vices or enemies.*