Escalante shootings leave two farmers dead

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The recent murder of a 27-year-old farmer in Barangay Paitan, Escalante City, added to the list of insurgency-related killings in the city since February.

The New People’s Army claimed responsibility for the killing of “Jackelo,” who was shot by unidentified armed men in a poultry area near his house on March 4.

The investigation showed that the victim was tending to his chickens when five men arrived and shot him three times in the head.

Recovered from the scene were three spent .45-caliber cartridge cases and a slug.

In a statement released Thursday, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-NPA said it carried out a punitive action against the victim over a fatal stabbing incident in 2024 involving an alleged NPA rebel.

Police Capt. Lindsey Caraballe, deputy chief of the Escalante City Police Station, confirmed the murder case but said it had been dismissed, leading to the victim’s release from jail.

The following day, another fatal shooting was reported in Barangay Pinapugasan, killing 35-year-old “Banoy.”

The investigation revealed that three unidentified armed men arrived at the victim’s residence and looked for him.

They proceeded to the kitchen and called for the victim, who then responded.

Gunshots followed.

Police said the incident was witnessed by the victim’s sister.

On Friday morning, the victim’s sister checked on her brother and found him lifeless in the kitchen.

Recovered from the scene were two slugs and 12 spent 9 mm cartridge cases.

Caraballe said police could not yet determine whether the two incidents were linked despite similarities in the manner of killing seen in insurgency-related cases.

The NPA had also earlier claimed responsibility for the killings of a chief barangay tanod and a construction worker in Barangay Pinapugasan on Feb. 28, while police also recorded a farmer’s killing in Barangay Dian-ay on Feb. 26, bringing renewed focus to violence in Escalante City.