Army reservist shot dead outside Capiz grocery store

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A Philippine Army reservist was shot dead Monday evening, August 4, outside a grocery store in Barangay Población Ilaya, Panay, Capiz.

Police identified the victim as Custodio Delos Santos Jr., of legal age, a resident of Pontevedra, Capiz, and temporarily residing at PanayVille in the same barangay.

According to a witness identified only as Michael, the victim had just bought rice at the store when a series of gunshots rang out.

When he turned around, he saw Delos Santos lying on the ground while an unidentified man wearing a red hoodie fled on a Bajaj motorcycle toward Pontevedra town.

Bystanders immediately contacted the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Panay, which brought the victim to Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH).

He was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician at around 8:05 p.m.

Police recovered five empty .45 caliber shells, three deformed slugs, and a Honda motorcycle registered to the victim at the scene.

PCpt. Ronald Ton-ogan, Panay police chief, said the victim sustained five gunshot wounds to his back.

Ton-ogan added that investigators are looking into two possible motives — one involving the victim’s live-in partner, and the other related to his business.

“So far, we have no person of interest in the incident yet, but we are backtracking the victim’s history,” he said.

Delos Santos was an active Army reservist assigned to Barangay Timpas in Panitan, Capiz.

Police are continuing their investigation to identify and arrest the suspect.