Romie Li was killed in front of Republic Hardware in Bacolod City on Tuesday.*Cesar Cagape Jolito III photo
Mayor Greg Gasataya assured the Filipino-Chinese business community on Thursday, Sept. 11, of their safety and security following the fatal shooting of a businessman and mounting calls for justice.
Romie Li, owner of Republic Hardware, was killed on Bonifacio Street in the Bacolod Central Market area on Tuesday.
In a meeting with leaders of the Bacolod-Filipino business community, Gasataya assured them of the city’s commitment to maintaining peace and order.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Bacolod City maintains zero tolerance for violence. There shall be no leniency and no refuge for those who seek to disrupt the safety and peace of our city,” the mayor said.
PCol. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod police director, said a police manhunt for the gunman is ongoing.
Li was killed by a gun-for-hire with a pending warrant of arrest for attempted homicide who had also been charged with violating Republic Act 10591, or the comprehensive law on firearms and ammunition, Coronica said.
“The BCPO is doing everything, from implementing preventive measures to ensuring that this is an isolated case,” Coronica said, adding that there is no cause for alarm within the business community.
Amity Club Corporate Secretary Crispin Chua expressed satisfaction with the progress of the investigation.
He urged members and fellow business owners to assist law enforcers by reviewing CCTV footage from their establishments and providing any relevant evidence to the police.
Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Elbert Valencia said “the police and the mayor are very cooperative in addressing peace and order. We are satisfied with how they are doing their job.”
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School community on Thursday condemned the killing of Li and joined the call for justice.
“The Bacolod Tay Tung High School community is in deep mourning over the tragic and senseless killing of Engr. Romie G. Li, an officer of the alumni association, a dedicated member of the Board of Trustees, and a loving parent,” their statement said.
Li was a proud Taytungian whose life of service, leadership, and generosity had a profound impact on the lives of many, they said.
“His loss is not only a profound tragedy for his family but also for our alumni, parent body, and the entire Bacolod Tay Tung High School community,” their added.
The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) – Negros Occidental Chapter on Wednesday also condemned the killing of Li, a past president of PICE-NOC and a civil engineering graduate of De La Salle University, Manila.
“We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence and call for justice to be served, that the perpetrators may be swiftly apprehended and made accountable,” it said.*
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