Farmer, construction worker killed in separate Negros attacks

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A farmer and a construction worker were killed, while two others were injured, in separate shooting and stabbing incidents allegedly linked to personal grudges in Negros Occidental on Nov. 1 and 2, 2026.

In Cauayan, a 32-year-old construction worker died and his 45-year-old relative was injured after they were allegedly stabbed by another relative during a commotion at a village fiesta in Barangay Mambugsay shortly after midnight Monday, Nov. 2.

Police Lt. Col. Norberto Barniso, chief of the Cauayan Municipal Police Station, said the two victims were dancing at the barangay covered court when the suspect approached the younger victim and allegedly stabbed him, causing him to fall to the ground.

The suspect reportedly stabbed the construction worker again while he was lying on the ground.

The older victim attempted to intervene and disarm the suspect but was stabbed in the left knee.

According to Barniso, the construction worker died from three stab wounds, including two in the back and one in the chest.

The older victim sustained minor injuries and was later discharged from the hospital.

Barniso said investigators were looking into a possible personal grudge between the suspect and the younger victim, who were neighbors and relatives.

The suspect remains at large.

Meanwhile, in San Carlos City, a 57-year-old farmer was shot dead, while his 30-year-old daughter was wounded in Barangay Codcod on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Police identified the fatality only as alias “Dindo” and his injured daughter as alias “Marie.”

Police Lt. Col. Nazer Canja, chief of the San Carlos City Police Station, said the victims were inside a motor shop, talking with family members and friends, when an unidentified gunman suddenly opened fire from a distance.

Investigators believe the older victim was the intended target of the shooting.

However, his daughter was also hit during the attack.

Dindo sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

His daughter sustained a gunshot wound to the left leg and is recuperating at the hospital.

Police recovered spent cartridge cases and bullet slugs from a .45-caliber firearm at the crime scene.

Canja said investigators have identified a person of interest and are looking into a possible personal grudge as the motive behind the killing.

Police investigations into both incidents are continuing.