By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY — Four people were killed in separate areas of Negros Occidental this week.
The most recent case occurred in Kabankalan City, where a 50-year-old man was found dead inside a sack at his home in Purok Luyang, Barangay Oringao, on Wednesday.
Police Lt. Col. Roberto Indiape Jr., Kabankalan City police chief, identified the victim as “Jennifer,” who was in an advanced state of decomposition when discovered by his cousin.
A foul odor led the cousin to check on the victim after he had not been seen for about a week. Indiape said the remains were found under the victim’s bed.
The victim sustained injuries to his body, hands, and nape, suspected to be from stabbing or hacking, Indiape added.
Authorities have two persons of interest (POIs) but are still gathering evidence to link one of them to the crime.
Indiape also revealed that they had received information indicating the victim’s house was allegedly being used by two individuals, including a known drug personality, as a venue for repacking or using illegal drugs.
While the victim was not on a drug watchlist, one of the POIs was, according to both barangay and police records, Indiape said.
Investigators are looking at the possibility that the crime may be drug-related or linked to personal grudges, given the nature of the killing.
Indiape noted that they still need witnesses to come forward.
In Sagay City, a 31-year-old driver was shot dead at Yolanda Housing Phase 1, Barangay Paraiso, on Wednesday.
According to the police investigation, the victim had a heated argument with a 37-year-old suspect outside the victim’s home. The suspect then left, returned with a firearm, and shot the victim once before fleeing.
The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
In Bacolod City, a woman was fatally stabbed at the public plaza in Barangay 12 on Tuesday.
Police identified the victim as “Ana” from Barangay Singcang-Airport.
Police Major Elmer Bonilla, head of Police Station 1, said the victim, who provided nail care services at the plaza, argued with a 35-year-old female suspect over a customer.
The suspect allegedly attacked the victim with a knife.
The victim sustained two stab wounds to the chest and died hours later at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital.
Bonilla said the victim and the suspect had an altercation months ago, but the cause of their latest dispute was unclear.
The attack occurred just meters from a police station, but the suspect fled on a motorcycle driven by her live-in partner. Bonilla said authorities had identified the suspect, who will face murder charges.
On Monday, a man was also fatally stabbed after an argument outside a warehouse in Barangay Tangub, Bacolod City.
Police identified the victim as Ireneo Pangatihon, 45, from Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Police Capt. Greeky Cayao, head of Police Station 8, said the victim, the 40-year-old suspect, and another companion were drinking when an argument erupted.
As they were about to go home, the suspect, from Pulupandan town, allegedly stabbed the victim and fled. The victim was declared dead at a hospital. Cayao said they are investigating the cause of the argument.
On Sept. 14, a 32-year-old woman was shot dead in Barangay II (Poblacion), La Carlota City.
Police identified the victim as “Kayzie,” from Barangay I (Poblacion).
Police Capt. Rosinie Cabuena, deputy chief of La Carlota City Police Station, said the victim was walking when an unidentified person on a motorcycle shot her.
The victim was found wounded by the roadside and taken to a hospital. She sustained gunshot wounds to the head and body and died around 6:28 a.m. on Sunday.
At the crime scene, police recovered a deformed slug, two spent shells, and a magazine loaded with six live rounds of .45-caliber ammunition.
Although the victim was not on a drug watchlist, Cabuena said investigators are considering the possibility that the killing was drug-related, as they had received information linking her to illegal drug transactions.
However, authorities are also exploring other possible motives.
