By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The Calatrava Municipal Police Station in Negros Occidental has denied social media reports falsely claiming a poll watcher was killed in an election-related shooting in Barangay Minapasuk on May 9.
Police Maj. Wilfredo Benoman Jr., chief of the Calatrava police, said the victim was not a poll watcher.
According to their investigation, a 29-year-old farmer was found dead with gunshot wounds in Sitio Tinugpahan, Barangay Minapasuk last Friday.
A witness harvesting marang fruit nearby told police he heard gunshots but did not investigate.
Police also said the victim’s bag, reportedly containing about PHP30,000, was missing.
Based on the investigation and statements from the victim’s family, Benoman said the shooting was personal in nature and unrelated to the ongoing elections.
He made the clarification through a statement released on the station’s official social media page.
Police also denied rumors that three people were killed in the same incident.
“These reports are false and misleading,” Benoman stressed.
He added that a separate, unrelated suicide case occurred the same day in Barangay Pantao and had no connection to the shooting in Minapasuk.
Local police, in coordination with the Commission on Elections and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, are actively working to track and stop the spread of misinformation.
Authorities urged the public to verify information from official sources before sharing content online.
They also appealed for responsible social media use.
“We remain committed to providing accurate and timely information to the public while respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals involved,” Benoman said.
He added that the local police will continue working to uphold peace, order and truth, especially during the critical election period.
“Let us work together to maintain a calm and informed community,” he said.
