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Bacolod City, Philippines Monday, September 17, 2012
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Former CIS agent
shot in Silay – PNP

BY GILBERT BAYORAN

An unidentified gunman shot and injured a controversial former agent of the defunct Philippine Constabulary Criminal Investigation Service Saturday in Brgy. 2 Poblacion, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Charles Balbon Sr., who is now in his 70s, was hit in the breast and stomach and survived the attempt on his life. He was shot by a gunman, while on his way out of a coffee shop, Silay police report showed.

On Aug. 2, the son of Balbon, Charles Jr, was gunned down by an unidentified man riding in tandem with another on a motorcycle at McKinley-Gomez Streets in Silay City, police records show.

Supt. Rosauro Francisco, Silay police chief, yesterday said the descriptions as provided to them by witnesses of the gunman of Balbon Jr., were also similar to the suspect, who tried to kill his father on Saturday.

The gunman who was sporting long hair and had a 40mm pistol, fled on board a motorcycle, the Silay police report said.

Silay policemen recovered five spent shells, live ammunition and a slug of a 40mm caliber pistol at the crime scene.

While Balbon was being assisted by Police Officer 1 Ryan Calalas, a member of the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion who happened to pass by, Francisco said the victim told him that he could manage himself, and that he will exact revenge on what had been done to him.

This indicates that Balbon may know his assailant, Francisco said.

Calalas did not fire at the fleeing suspect, for fear that somebody might get hit by a stray bullet, he added.

Francisco admitted that they are still facing a blank wall in their investigation, as Balbon’s family is not cooperating.

The elder Balbon had previously been linked by the police to drug peddling activities, and illegal gambling.

Francisco said reports indicate that the reason for the attempt on Balbon Sr. and the killing of his son last month, was related to his debts to a certain person, involving a big amount of money, which is now being verified.

He admitted that they are also looking into the possibility that it may be drug-related.

Since Francisco assumed as police chief of Silay in 2010, more than 70 drug peddlers have been arrested and charged in court, police records also show.

Francisco said the empty shells and slugs recovered the two shooting incidents will be matched, to determine if they had been fired from the same gun.

Balbon Sr.,,who has reportedly been dubbed “Robinhood” by his neighbors in Brgy. Mambulac, Silay City, because of his generosity, is now being treated at a private hospital in Bacolod City.

Francisco said he is not inclined to believe that an alleged “vigilante group” was behind the killing of Balbon Jr. and the attempt on the life of his father.

It could be triggered by old grudges, he said.* GPB

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