Another drug-related killing? Man found dead in Talisay

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A man believed to be involved in illegal drugs was found dead beside a sugarcane field at Hacienda Pait, Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Thursday night.

Police Major Jigger Gimeno, city police chief, said the victim was later identified by his relatives as Rocky Lopez, 38, of Barangay Alijis here.

Gimeno said a person heard six gunshots and saw a vehicle leaving the area before he found the body of the victim with multiple gunshot wounds in the head, chest, and different parts of the body. He was subjected to autopsy.

A placard with the words “Sorry indi na ko kapangawat kag kapang hold-up kag baligya shabu. Goodbye earth” was left on top of his feet.

Police recovered from the scene two empty cartridges of .45-caliber ammunition and a slug.

Gimeno said Lopez was arrested for a drug offense in the area of Police Station 2 here in 2016 and was released two years ago through plea bargaining.

Gimeno said they cannot yet tell if Lopez was a victim of summary execution. “We don’t know if he was killed there or if he was just left there by the perpetrators despite gunshots being heard in the area,” he added.

He said it could be that failed illegal drug transaction was the reason behind the killing. But, we are also looking into grudges in his personal life, he added.

He said they have no lead yet on the identities of the armed men.

The incident came several hours after an alleged drug suspect was also gunned down by three unidentified armed men on a motorcycle in San Carlos City that day.