Ex-drug offender gunned down

BACOLOD City – Police are eyeing personal vendetta or drug-related as possible motives behind the killing of a former drug offender on San Juan Baybay Street, Barangay 6, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

The victim was identified as Weber Mondragon, 51, of Barangay San Benito, Calatrava town.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Corpuz, city police chief, said the victim was walking when he was believed to be tailed by two unidentified persons past 8 p.m.

Two gunshots were then heard.

Corpuz said the victim succumbed to a lone gunshot wound in the head.

Police recovered from the scene two spent cartridges and a deformed slug of a .45 caliber firearm.

Corpuz said they already have two persons of interest, as they have been captured in a closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage. Aside from this, he said that there were also witnesses.

Corpuz said the victim recently rented a house in the city to be with his live-in partner.

Corpuz added that the victim was previously arrested for a drug offense and was released from jail last year.

“Check namin if part pa ng illegal drug trade or personal vendetta lang kasi hindi pa namin masyadong makausap ang live-in partner,” he added.

Corpuz said there was information that he returned to engaging in the illegal drug trade, but such is still subject to confirmation.