‘Drug personality’, farmer gunned down

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two shooting incidents led to the deaths of a drug personality and a farmer in separate areas in Negros Occidental on July 2, 2019.

In Sagay City, Cefirino Barredo, 55, of Barangay Poblacion 2 was gunned down by two unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants at the said village late Tuesday afternoon.

Barredo succumbed to gunshot wounds on his head and body.

Police recovered from the scene four pieces of .45-caliber bullet shells.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the killing.

Meanwhile, in Ilog town, Ricky Castro, 40, of Barangay Canlamay, was gunned down by 12 unidentified assailants armed with long rifles at the said village.

Castro died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The gunmen allegedly identified themselves as New People’s Army (NPA) as they fled from the scene.

Investigators recovered from the scene three spent cartridges of caliber 5.56mm ammunition, which is commonly used in M16 rifles.

Police Major Norbert Barniso, town police chief, said the victim previously left for Manila after receiving threats.

Castro recently came home believing that the threats were over.

He was probably mistaken as an informant of the security forces, Barniso said.

Barniso said they already have “persons of interest” behind the killing.