By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Police are investigating a possible land dispute as the motive behind the killing of a couple and their son in Sitio Guinam-an, Barangay Buenavista, Murcia, Negros Occidental, on Thursday night.
Police Maj. Sherwin Fernandez, chief of the Murcia Municipal Police Station, said the victims, identified only as “Neldi,” 59; his wife “Josephine,” 60; and their son “Jovi,” 33, were found dead early Friday.
A relative discovered the bodies around 5 a.m. while fetching water from a well and reported the incident to police two hours later.
Fernandez said Jovi’s body was found near the well, while his father was in the kitchen and his mother on the veranda.
Neighbors told police they heard gunshots between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday but dismissed the sounds as firecrackers.
Recovered from the scene were spent cartridges from a suspected .45 caliber pistol and a .38 caliber revolver, which were submitted for ballistic examination.
Fernandez said there were no signs of forced entry or struggle, and the victims’ valuables remained untouched.
He added that Neldi had recently met with relatives to discuss a possible settlement over a land conflict in the barangay, but further details were withheld to protect others involved.
Family members told police the victims had no known threats or enemies.
Fernandez said investigators are still gathering information, although potential witnesses are hesitant to come forward due to fear of retaliation.
He also ruled out insurgency as a motive, saying the investigation is focused on personal matters.
Housekeeper Found Dead in Hinoba-an
A 24-year-old housekeeper was found dead in Purok 2, Barangay 1 Poblacion, Hinoba-an, three days after she was reported missing.
The victim, identified only as “Thalia,” was a resident of Barangay 2 in the same town.
A passerby discovered her decomposing body on Wednesday after noticing a foul odor while parked nearby.
She was last seen attending a fiesta before her disappearance.
Police are investigating the possibility of foul play.
Authorities are awaiting the post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
