Ex-Village Chief, Partner Killed in Bacolod Shooting

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Police are awaiting ballistic and paraffin test results to aid in the investigation of an apparent fatal shooting inside a pick-up truck, where a former barangay official and his live-in partner were found with gunshot wounds in Bangga Tomaro, Barangay Sum-ag, on Friday night.

The victims were identified as Federico Gayagas Jr., 53, a former barangay captain of Bacong, Bago City, Negros Occidental, and Carmelita Davilla, 44, a Bacolod City resident.

Police Capt. Andy Ofalia, chief of Police Station 9, said Davilla sustained a gunshot wound to the body and was declared dead at the hospital.

Gayagas, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head, died on Saturday afternoon.

Recovered from the crime scene were:

-A 9mm caliber firearm with an empty magazine

-Four fired cartridge cases

-Five additional fired cartridge cases

-Two deformed fired bullets and a metal fragment

-A Colt M16 rifle with a loaded magazine containing 25 live rounds

-An M203 grenade launcher loaded with a grenade

-A plastic container with 13 40mm grenades

-A pouch with six 40mm grenades

-Two long M16 metal magazines with 54 cartridges

-Four short M16 metal magazines with 73 live cartridges

-Three short plastic magazines with 54 live cartridges

-Three magazines with eight live rounds

Authorities also found two cell phones, a wallet containing PHP2,500, 10 firearm registration cards belonging to Gayagas, sunglasses, a duffle bag, financial documents, receipts, and a set of keys inside the vehicle.

Ofalia confirmed that only the 9mm firearm had a license.

Ofalia said the circumstances leading to the shooting remain unclear, but bullet trajectories indicate the shots were fired inside the vehicle.

He added that the couple had no other companions and were seated in the front, with Gayagas in the driver’s seat.

Davilla’s family told police that the couple had an argument two days before the incident.

Ofalia said investigators are considering self-harm as a possible angle but noted that it is too early to draw conclusions.

In September 2016, Gayagas was involved in a police shootout in Barangay Taculing during a drug raid. The incident resulted in his cousin’s death and left him and a companion injured.

In July 2017, he survived a gun attack when unidentified men stormed his cock farm in Bago City.

Ofalia said investigators are looking into Gayagas’ background to determine why he was carrying multiple firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

The investigation is ongoing.