Drug suspect dead, couple injured in shooting

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – An alleged drug suspect was gunned down by three unidentified men on a motorcycle while a couple was wounded after they were hit by a stray bullet in front of a restaurant at Barangay 2, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Thursday.

Killed was Nole Mercado, 48, of Barangay Rizal while wounded were Danilo Dollentes, 47, and wife Rowena, 47, both residents of Barangay Mabigo, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

Police Major Mark Angelo Junco, city police chief, said that Mercado was buying fruits outside the restaurant when one of the perpetrators approached him and shot him at close range. He died on the spot due to five gunshot wounds.

Junco said the couple who was inside the restaurant was hit by a stray bullet.

Both of them were brought to a hospital after Danilo sustained a serious injury on the chest while his wife sustained a gunshot wound on the arm.

Police recovered from the scene seven empty shells of .45 caliber, two empty shells and live ammunition of .9mm caliber.

Junco said Mercado was also shot by unidentified gunmen last year but he survived the attack. However, he was uncooperative to reveal the identities of the perpetrators to the authorities even if he claimed he knew them, the city police chief added.

He said they are looking into drug-related as motive behind the killing, adding that Mercado was identified as a high value individual, he was arrested for a drug offense in 2018 and was released through plea bargaining.

Junco said they already acquired a copy of a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage from a nearby gasoline station to identify the gunmen.