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Bacolod City, PhilippinesFriday, October 26, 2012
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From the Center
with Rolly Espina
OPINIONS

Tales about the
Chua killing

Rolly Espina

Many Bacoleños are still mystified by the “mysterious” killing of Atty. Johnny Chua, the owner of EastView Hotel along the circumferential Road of Villamonte Saturday.

Among the most credible versions is the use by Chua of a legal maneuver that could have embarrassed a big borrower from his money-lending business. That would have deprived the entrepreneur of a major property and business enterprise. And that could have been the reason for doing away with Chua.

In short, was Raymond Longno, alias Small Boy, the one who really shot and killed Chua?

Another version of the story indicates that Longno was just the convenient fall guy for the gun slaying.

The underworld rumors indicate that Longno had actually been marked for possible death by an underworld figure of Bacolod. This was the reason he had reportedly tried to kill someone a few months back.

Stories about how Longno was slain along Malaspina Street, Villamonte, Sunday, seemed to indicate that the “small boy” was beaten up before he was shot several times.

In short, he was really the target of the group of men who were reportedly riding on a Honda Civic with a PNP commemorative plate attached to it.

There was also an unconfirmed report that one of the coddlers of Longno had been warned several days before his death not to bail him out because he was surely going to be killed.

To a certain extent, Bacolod police chief, Ricardo de la Paz should be believed when he claimed that Longno astonishingly managed to put up a total of P650,000 in bail money for the series of crimes he had been charged with.

“And he is not a rich man,” was how De la Paz presented the issue.

In short, who were the ones who posted the money for Longno? There must be something that could shed light on who his protector is.

What we wish is that the police could come out with its official investigation and the real picture of what had happed to Chua. The mere fact that the BCPO had extended security protection to the Chua family simply confirms reports that there is something deeper behind the businessman's death. Is it gambling? Or a huge loan that could not be repaid? Or is it Jai-Alai?

Just asking, chief De la Paz.

***

Although Ayala Land Inc. had withdrawn from the development of the prime provincial properties in Bacolod City, still the act that it is pushing through with its P70-billion development plan in Talisay City, is something that should be greeted with gusto by Negrenses.

Of course, the provincial government must have lost millions in terms of advance rental plus other income with the withdrawal. Still, the Talisay development means that ALI is pouring into Negros Occidental a sizeable amount that will translate to 2,500 jobs.

In short, happy days ahead for the province which will be the principal beneficiary of the project.

Few can understand the objective of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. when he draws proposals for development projects for the province.

The Negros Cyber Center in Bacolod is the supposed to attract many more call centers and create job opportunities for thousands of Negrenses, mostly, the young.

The time table for the project has been drawn up but politics may intervene and undercut its predetermined goal.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson believes that his nephew, Julius, may finally be declared a nuisance candidate by the Comelec before the year ends.

Julius failed to appear personally before the Comelec en banc session in Manila Monday.

It seems that he has refused to personally submit his personal resignation as a candidate for mayor against Thaddy. That would leave the contest an issue between him and former Rep. Monico Puentevella.

Sayson is running for city mayor with Mayor Evelio Leonardia as his tandem for the congressional seat for the lone district of Bacolod against Rep. Anthony Golez.*


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