By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY — Two individuals, including a 63-year-old farmer, were killed in separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental on May 1 and 2.
In Calatrava town, the farmer was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Barangay Laga-an last Thursday. Police Major Ronald Santillan, the town police chief, reported that the victim had gone to his farm early in the morning to tend to his cow and goats when his daughter heard several gunshots. “After a while, they saw the victim lying on the ground with gunshot wounds,” Santillan added.
Authorities have yet to establish a motive for the killing, but Santillan noted that they possess information that could aid the investigation, though he declined to provide details to avoid compromising the ongoing probe. When asked if the incident could be related to insurgency, Santillan stated they could not yet determine.
This area has recently experienced related violence. Just last month, the New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility for the murder of a village watchman in the same barangay.
On the previous day, a 52-year-old man was shot dead in Barangay Enclaro, Binalbagan town, following a dispute that escalated during a drinking session at the suspect’s home. “The victim tried to escape from the suspect, but due to his injuries, he collapsed beside the road,” said Police Major Randy Babor, town police chief.
Investigators recovered two fired .45 caliber cartridge cases, a bullet, and a live round at the scene. Babor mentioned that they are exploring another angle in the shooting but declined to provide further details.
Separately, a 22-year-old junior high school student was discovered deceased in a sugarcane field in Barangay Malubon, Sagay City, also on Tuesday. Police noted that there had been no recent reports of missing individuals in the area and are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
