Bacolod police probe killing of shooting witness

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are investigating whether the killing of a 22-year-old man was linked to his previous testimony as a witness in a shooting involving two brothers here last year.

The victim, identified only as “Jayven,” a resident of Barangay Villamonte, was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound to the head beside parked tricycles in Barangay Mandalagan on Thursday.

His live-in partner positively identified him, police said.

Police Lt. Benjo Ballo Allo, officer-in-charge of Police Station 3, said investigators have yet to determine the firearm used because no weapon or related evidence was recovered at the scene.

Ballo Allo said Jayven had served as a witness in the Sept. 29, 2025, shooting of two brothers in Barangay Mandalagan that left one dead and the other wounded.

In that attack, motorcycle-riding gunmen opened fire on the brothers in Purok Active, killing the 43-year-old older brother and wounding his 41-year-old sibling.

Police at the time investigated several possible motives, including a personal grudge and illegal drugs.

One of the two suspects in the 2025 shooting was arrested at his workplace in Barangay Villamonte in February, nearly five months after the attack.

The 40-year-old suspect, a resident of Barangay 20, had been tagged by police as Bacolod City’s No. 1 most wanted person.

He was arrested on a murder warrant issued by Bacolod City Regional Trial Court Branch 50 on Feb. 5, 2026, with no bail recommended.

The suspect denied the allegation and said he did not know the two brothers.

Ballo Allo said investigators are determining whether Jayven’s killing was connected to the previous shooting while also exploring other possible motives and checking his background.