By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – A man was killed by about 10 unidentified persons believed to be members of an armed group at Sitio Bautista, Barangay Malasibog, Escalante City, Negros Occidental last Saturday.
Slain was Arjie Buenavista, 33, of the said village.
Major Gil Despi, city police chief, said Buenavista was assigned by the city government as driver of Escalante City Police Station for almost two weeks now.
Buenavista’s assignment came after some station personnel were deployed to help in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, he added.
Despi said the victim was inside his house with his child when the armed men arrived.
One of them called the victim. He went out, but he sensed danger and decided to go back, however, one of the gunmen shot him.
The victim succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in the back and head.
Then the armed men allegedly ransacked his house, searching for the victim’s alleged firearm, and fled.
Police recovered from the scene three fired cartridge cases of M16, a fired cartridge case of .45 caliber, and a dud ammunition of M16.
Despi said the victim had no threats which could trigger the killing.
He said they are probing if it was a possible case of mistaken identity, considering that he was recently assigned at the police station.
The victim was believed to be a police asset, but Despi contended that the victim was only a driver.
He said they also could not tell what armed group was behind the gun attack.
