Suspect in shooting of Estancia mayor's aide nabbed

By Florence F. Hibionada

Police operatives arrested Sunday one of the principal suspects charged with frustrated murder in the June shooting incident that seriously injured a top mayor's aide in Estancia.

With a P200,000 bounty for his capture, Ramy Balune is now behind bars following a successful joint operation of government agents that got him in Barangay San Andres, San Rafael, Iloilo.

In an interview, P/Inspector Ariel Galeno confirmed the report to The News Today (TNT) while adding that extensive manhunt continues on yet another male suspect. Police are also validating identities of three other unknown male individuals believed to have served either as look-out or accomplices in the June 7 murder attempt.

Balune's arrest was by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Danilo Balagtas of the 2 nd MCTC Batad-Estancia, 6 th RTC in Criminal Case No. 3214-E for frustrated murder case with the use of unlicensed firearms. He has since been positively identified by the victim, Arnie Pullan as among those who shot him at close range and mentioned in Pullan's affidavit.

Motive of the shooting remains unclear though angles then pursued disclosed possible ‘revenge' of the suspects said to have been angered by Pullan's distribution of market stalls in the Estancia Public Market.

Gus Bacabac, consultant to the mayor, acknowledged said possibility alongside what he speculated could have also been triggered by “professional jealousy.” No further comments were made on the matter.

Pullan remains on a six-month official leave.