Police chief in Laguna town shot dead

By Ronron
May 29, 2007

The chief of police of Cabuyao, Laguna was shot dead by two unidentified armed men inside his house in Sta. Rosa City on Tuesday morning for a still unknown reason, police officials said.

Sr. Supt. Mark Edison Belarma, chief of Region IV-A Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said Supt. Bernie Banalo, 54, was declared dead on arrival at St. James Hospital in Sta. Rosa City after sustaining 11 gunshot wounds all over his body.

Belarma said Banalo was shot at around 7:30 am yesterday (Tuesday) by two unidentified armed men who barged at his residence in Barangay Dita, Sta. Rosa City.

Belarma said Banalo was talking at that time with a friend and was feeding his dog when one of the two suspects fired at him. His friend managed to ran away, unhurt.

After shooting Banalo, the two suspects left aboard a waiting tricycle outside the house where two lookouts were stationed. The tricycle went to the direction of Barangay Villa-a where the suspects boarded a boat heading towards Isla Talim of Binangonan, Rizal Belarma said.

Belarma said Banalo was pronounced dead on arrival at around 9:45 am while undergoing operation.

Recovered from the crime scene were 13 empty shells for a caliber 45 pistol.

Belarma said they are still investigating the motive for the killing.

Asked if the New People’s Army have a hand in the crime, Belarma said: “It’s too early to tell but based on the style of the killing, it could be attributed to the sparu unit of the NPA.”

Initial information reaching Belarma indicates that there is no threat against Banalo’s life but he suspects the police official found some enemy after enforcing an order to close a dumpsite in the province.

Sta. Rosa City Police chief Supt. Raymundo Oliquiano said they are also considering the possibility that the shooting was work-related.

“They (gunmen) could be hired by those he arrested for illegal drugs possession and trade, illegal possession of firearms last election season, and the like. Although, we still have no corroborate evidence on this theory,” Oliquiano said in a separate phone interview.

Oliquiano noted that nothing was taken away from Banalo, nor did the suspects hurt any of his companions at his house.

“He (Banao) was really the target and they (suspects) really intend to kill him,” Oliquiano said./DMS