Farmer found dead with gunshot wounds

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A farmer was found dead in a rice field paddy in Lambunao, Iloilo early morning of April 26, 2021.

The body of Nonito Agustino, 55, a resident of Barangay Manaulan, Lambunao suffered multiple bullet injuries.

It was believed that Agustino had been dead for several hours when found around 6 am Monday.

Major Jogen Suegay, Lambunao police chief, said the victim was last seen alive at around 9 pm Sunday at the house of his friend, Nolito Lastimoso, in Manaulan village.

Ten minutes after he left for home, residents claimed to have heard a burst of gunfire.

No one checked where the gunfire originated.

Suegay claimed, though, to have received a phone call around 9:30 pm claiming that gunshots were heard at Manaulan village.

Police only confirmed the incident several hours later after it was reported that a bullet-riddled body was discovered in the area.

Agustino was still holding on to a caliber .45 pistol.

Police investigators theorized that Agustino was waylaid while on his way home.

He apparently saw his attacker, possibly armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, and tried to shoot him.

But before the victim could even aim at the target, the assailant shot him first.

Suegay said they’re not discounting the possibility that the victim was able to fire his gun.

Agustino’s pistol was empty of ammunition.

Police recovered empty shells of caliber .45 and 12-gauge shotgun ammunitions at the crime scene.

Suegay said seven live ammunitions were seized from the victim. These were placed inside a cigarette case on his pocket.

Suegay said they already have a person of interest behind the incident.

Police are looking at old grudges as the possible motive of the killing.