A businessman was gunned down in broad daylight yesterday by an unidentified gunman at McKinley-Gomez Streets in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

The victim, identified as Charles Balbon Jr., 31, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds that led to his death, initial investigations of the Silay police showed.

Balbon was the son of Charles Balbon Sr., a former member of the defunct Philippine Constabulary Criminal Investigation Service, who was previously tagged by the police as engaged in drug peddling activities, and has been linked to illegal gambling.

Supt. Rosauro Francisco, Silay police chief, yesterday said that Balbon Jr., owner of a fitness gym, was shot with a .45 caliber pistol by a suspect, who was riding in tandem in a motorcycle, in front of a restaurant.

Balbon Jr., who was hit twice in the chest, neck and left hand, was declared dead on arrival at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.

The crime scene was about 500 meters away from a policeman, who was on a visibility operation, but the two suspects, who fled towards the Bacolod-Silay Airport, managed to evade lawmen during a brief chase, Francisco said.

Six spent shells of .45 caliber pistol were recovered at the crime scene by Silay police investigators.

The younger Balbon was about to board his Isuzu DMax vehicle, when one of the two suspects without any provocation, opened fire while passing him, Francisco said.

The service vehicle of the victim was also hit by a bullet.

The elder Balbon, who was freed from jail last year, after being linked to illegal activities was reportedly dubbed “Robinhood” among his neighbors in Brgy. Mambulac, Silay City, because of his generosity.

Francisco said they are still trying to establish the motive for the killing of Balbon Jr..*GPB

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