Farm watchman with murder record shot dead in Bago City

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are probing possible retaliation as a motive in the killing of a 68-year-old man who was formerly jailed for murder and was reportedly linked to two more fatal incidents in Purok Matam-is, Barangay Busay, Bago City, Negros Occidental on Sunday.

Police Lt. Col. James Latayon, chief of the Bago City Police Station, said an unidentified person tailed the victim, identified only as “Fred,” on his way to a farm where he was working as a watchman.

The victim was riding a motorcycle from the residence of a barangay captain when he was attacked by a motorcycle-riding suspect.

Latayon said the victim succumbed to gunshot wounds to the head, back, and left arm.

He said the victim’s family told police that the victim had received threats prior to the incident.

Police have no lead yet on the gunman but are investigating whether the incident could be linked to the victim’s previous involvement in earlier cases.

The victim had served time for a murder case 20 years ago, but no official complaints were filed against him in relation to his alleged involvement in two other incidents.

These cases, according to Latayon, were triggered by personal disputes.