Two alleged members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade have been linked to the shooting incident in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, Sunday where seven civilians were injured.

Police investigators are also looking into reports that the incident may be related to politics or personal grudges.

Inspector Danilo Zuniega, Calatrava police chief, yesterday named the alleged gunman as Jason “Bongbong” Balansag, who was reported by some barangay residents to be a member of the RPA-ABB, while his companion who drove the getaway motorcycle was also identified as a certain Ka Jomar, a member of the same group.

Police investigations show that Balansag chased and shot Joevannie Tayoba, a supporter of re-elected Brgy. Capt. Serafin Natial, in the right foot. However, inspite of his injury, Tayoba managed to escape, and seek refuge in a coffee house.

Balansag, who was armed with a .45 caliber pistol, kept on firing at Tayoba and caused the injuries to six civilians who were hit by stray bullets, police said.

Also injured, aside from Tayoba, were Rosebel Alcover, Danilo Arsenal, Eduardo Medriano, Marlon Mahinay, Ramon Bayalas and Enjie Selebrico.

Balansag and a certain Ka Jomar withdrew towards Brgy. Bug-ang, Toboso before the arrival of soldiers and militiamen from the Marcelo detachment.

Two slugs and six empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol, as well as a gun holster, were turned over by witnesses to the Calatrava police.

Zuniega said Tayoba's elder sister, Nenet, lost to Natial in the recent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava.

Police investigations also showed that Tayoba was linked to the killing of a certain Joel Despi, a relative of Balansag, in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, before the barangay and SK elections on Oct. 29.

Zuniega said the captors of Balansag did not endorse him to them after his arrest, only the homemade .45 caliber pistol taken from his possession.*GPB

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