CAPIZ — A local businessman was shot dead in broad daylight while supervising construction work at his establishment on Premier de Mayo Street on the morning of November 21, sending shockwaves through the community.
Rogelio “Nonoy” Buaron, 60, a well-known businessman and former mayoral candidate, was attacked around 7:55 a.m. while standing outside with his bodyguard.
According to police, two unidentified assailants riding a white Honda Click motorcycle approached Buaron from behind and fired at close range. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds, three of them fatal. He was rushed to St. Anthony College Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Witnesses said the suspects, both wearing helmets and bonnets, fled toward Barangay Cagay.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo Jomuad Jr., Roxas City police chief, said a special task force has been formed to focus on the case.
“We believe this attack was planned,” he said during a press briefing.
Investigators suspect the presence of a lookout near the area, suggesting that the assailants may be professionals. Police also confirmed that Buaron had received death threats prior to the shooting, prompting them to explore possible personal, business-related, and political motives.
Buaron was a prominent figure in the city’s business sector. He owned the Dream Palace Hotel and was involved in Small Town Lottery operations. He also ventured into politics, running for mayor of Panay town in the 2016 elections.
Employees interviewed by police, including a worker identified as alias “Toto,” said they were unaware of anyone who may have held a grudge against Buaron.
Despite the absence of immediate suspects, investigators were pursuing multiple leads. CCTV footage is being reviewed, ballistic evidence is being examined, and witness statements are being consolidated.
Authorities recovered seven empty .45-caliber shell casings at the crime scene, as well as Buaron’s cellphone, which was struck by a bullet. In a potentially significant development, Buaron’s bodyguard managed to record the motorcycle’s plate number before the suspects fled.
As Roxas City mourns the loss of a respected community figure, police have launched a hot pursuit operation to track down the perpetrators.
A of press time, the investigation was ongoing as authorities worked to bring justice to Buaron’s family and restore public confidence in local security./PN
