A tricycle driver and his 17-year-old companion were shot dead on Sunday in Brgy. Payao, Binalbagan, in what the police suspect to be perpetrated by gun-for-hire men.

The victims were identified by the Binalbagan police as Search Lucero, 20, and his companion, as Joed Albiso,17, both residents of Isabela,Negros Occidental.

A day after the incident, one of the three suspects identified as Nicasio Bejano, 52, surrendered to the Binalbagan Police Station. The surrender was facilitated by a barangay official of Santander in Isabela, Negros Occidental.

Senior Inspector Gary Alan Resuma, Binalbagan police chief, yesterday said Bejano also surrendered a .38 caliber revolver with two live ammunition.

The bodies of Lucero and Albiso were separately discovered by the police at an irrigation area in Sitio Pucatod, Brgy. Payao, Binalbagan, several hours after the shooting.

Police investigations show that Bejano transacted with Lucero to haul 18 sacks of palay on his tricycle. Unknown to the victims, Resuma said it was a set-up as they were shot by two suspects who were waiting for them in the area, after a brief conversation.

He added that Bejano confessed his participation in shooting one of the victims, with his .38 caliber revolver.

Two empty shells of a 9mm pistol were recovered from the crime scene by Binalbagan police investigators.

Resuma said the killing of Lucero and Albiso was triggered by old grudges, and reportedly connected to the robbery-slay of a businessman in Isabela, Negros Occidental, in previous years.

Binalbagan police investigators are also looking into claims that Bejano and the two other suspects who were alleged to be ex-Army soldiers, were paid P15,000 to P20,000 to kill Lucero.

Resuma said the suspects were also forced to kill the minor, as he may serve a witness against them.

Binalbagan police investigators have already established the identity of one of the suspects still at-large.*GPB

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