Alleged drug personality gunned down by pal

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are still probing the motive behind the killing of an alleged drug personality at Purok Tahong, Barangay 2 here last Friday.

The victim was identified as Christian Escalona, 23, of Barangay Singcang-Airport here.

Police Captain Jonito Pastrana, head of Police Station 2, said the victim was with a female companion on board a tricycle when they were seen allegedly arguing.

Escalona, who was driving the tricycle, stopped by the area to greet another female friend.

But this irked the victim’s companion, prompting her to punch the girl, according to Pastrana.

The girl then walked away to avoid further commotion, but she suddenly heard gunshots. When she checked, she saw Escalona already wounded while his companion fled, Pastrana said.

Police recovered from the crime scene three fired bullets of a .45 caliber firearm.

Pastrana said that based on a witness, the victim’s companion has been identified as the suspect in the incident, but he did not reveal her name, pending the investigation.

Pastrana said they conducted a manhunt operation to locate the suspect’s whereabouts, but she can no longer be found at her boarding house.

“Wala ta man nabal-an kung ano ila gin-awayan,” Pastrana said, adding that the suspect is also an alleged drug personality as she was previously arrested for a drug offense and is now under probation.

Pastrana said they are waiting for the decision of the victim’s family regarding the filing of murder charges against the suspect.