A shocking case of broad daylight violence rattled Bacolod City on Tuesday morning after a 52-year-old hardware contractor was shot dead along Bonifacio Street, Barangay 12.
Authorities identified the victim as Romy Li, owner of Emerald Republic Hardware and a resident of City Heights Subdivision in Barangay Taculing. The fatal shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m., just as Li was stepping out of his vehicle.
According to witnesses, a man wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and a facemask suddenly approached Li. Without warning, two gunshots rang out, striking the victim from behind. Li immediately collapsed, while the suspect fled on foot before boarding an unidentified vehicle.
Employees of the victim, who were nearby, described the incident as swift and deliberate, leaving no chance for Li to defend himself. Panic ensued in the area as bystanders scrambled for safety following the gunfire.
In an interview with Police Captain Francis Depasucat, station commander of Bacolod City Police Station 1, he confirmed that Li sustained fatal wounds to the back of his head. Investigators are now looking into the possibility that the murder was linked to the victim’s business dealings.
“We have requested the retrieval of CCTV footage in the area to determine the identity of the suspect and to identify the vehicle used in his escape,” Depasucat told Bombo Radyo Bacolod.
Authorities said they are also interviewing potential witnesses and close contacts of the victim to gather more information that may shed light on the motive behind the attack.
Residents of Barangay 12 expressed fear over the brazen killing, noting that it happened in a busy area during morning rush hours. The incident has once again raised concerns about rising cases of gun violence in Bacolod City and the brazenness of suspects who strike in public places.
As of now, police have yet to establish the identity of the gunman. Investigators continue to explore leads, with business-related disputes considered a strong angle in the case.
The murder of Romy Li adds to a growing list of unresolved shooting incidents in the city, sparking renewed calls for stricter security measures and intensified police visibility in public areas.