Backhoe operator shot dead in Bago City

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police have yet to establish a motive in the killing of a 58-year-old backhoe operator in Purok Santan, Barangay Abuanan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Thursday.

The victim, identified only as Baresto, was sitting in front of his store with his wife when an unidentified person approached him and fired multiple shots at close range using a .45-caliber pistol.

Police Lt. Col. James Latayon, chief of the Bago City Police Station, said the suspect fled on a motorcycle with an unidentified companion.

The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead.

The victim’s wife, who witnessed the incident, was unharmed.

Latayon said police are checking the victim’s background and coordinating with his family to gather information that could help identify the perpetrators.

Police have yet to determine whether the killing was work-related, money-related, or a personal attack.