Unidentified assailant fires at businessman’s house in Bogo

CEBU, Philippines - An unidentified assailant repeatedly fired at a businessman’s house early morning yesterday in Sitio Camansilis, Barangay Binabag, Bogo City.

Fortunately, no one was injured as the couple, Camilo Becaldo, 65, and his wife, Rebecca Becaldo, 65, was already in bed at that time.

Police have discounted politics as motive of the incident as the couple was not affiliated with any political party.   Police, however, are looking into business rivalry as the possible motive for the shooting.

Supt. Anthony Bagarinao, Bogo City police chief, said that the couple was awakened by the bursts of gunfire outside their house and the smashing of glass at around 1:15 in the morning.

A few minutes later, the Becaldo couple then heard a motorcycle speeding away. They could not determine how many assailants there were.  Eight empty shells of a .45 pistol and four slugs were recovered in the scene.

The couple owns a sugarcane plantation in the city and has more than a hundred workers.

“Ug naay bakante nga yuta sa lugar unya ang tag-iya tapulan mananom ila nang abangan unya tamnan ug mga tubo, (If there are vacant lots in the area and the owner is too lazy to plant, they rent it and plant sugarcane.)” Bagarinao said in a phone interview.

 Aside from that, the couple also has a lumber business.

Bagarinao suspected that somebody might have envied the couple and their businesses.

A few days before, Camilo noticed a suspicious man onboard a motorcycle. The man seemed to be keeping an eye on him but Camilo just ignored it.

“Naa lang siyay nabantayan pero iyang gibalewala kay wala siya magtuo nga adunay ga-plano niya kay wala lagi kontra, (He just noticed but did not mind it htne because he had no enemies.)” the police chief said.

Police are now conducting further investigation for the possible identification of the assailant.  (FREEMAN)