Drug surrenderer shot dead

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – An alleged drug surrenderer was gunned down by two unidentified men on a motorcycle at Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco) port at Barangay 2 here Sunday night.

Killed was Rigor Arguelles of Barangay Canjusa, Pulupandan, Negros Occidental. He is the fourth person linked to the illegal drug trade to be killed since Dec 14, 2019.

Police Major Sherlock Gabana, head of Police Station 2, said Arguelles just finished working at the port and was walking on his way to San Juan Street when he was shot by the assailants who were wearing face masks.

Arguelles died on the spot while the perpetrators fled.

Police recovered from the victim an improvised tooter.

Gabana said the incident might be drug-related since the victim was an alleged active drug pusher in the town.

He reportedly sourced out his supply in a village here, the station commander added.

Arguelles was killed three days after Jomarie Tejada was gunned down at Barangay Anahaw, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental Thursday.

Tejada, 35, an alleged member of the Ramos drug group, was supposed to meet someone for a transaction when he was repeatedly shot by assailants on board a maroon Toyota Innova without a license plate.

Tejada was declared dead at a hospital due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Latayon said they cannot confirm if the person that the victim was supposed to meet was among the gunmen.

On Dec 14, Christian Diputado, 24, a native of Estancia, Iloilo province was found dead at Barangay Pandanon Silos, Murcia town.

A day after, Robert “Kaishek” Tan, 70, of Barangay Villamonte here was also gunned down in broad daylight at Barangay Estefania while on his way home.

Robert is the brother of former Bacolod City Councilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan, who survived an ambush against him and his wife at Barangay Alangilan here in December 2018.

Ricardo reportedly left the country with his family, following the attempt on his life last year. He was also publicly accused by President Rodrigo Duterte to be involved in the illegal drug trade along with five other police officers.