Farmer killed at Calatrava home amid land dispute

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities are looking into a land dispute as a possible motive in the killing of a 53-year-old farmer in Sitio Agbalatuan, Barangay Dolis, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday.

Police said the victim and his wife were preparing to leave their house when three unidentified people suddenly appeared and approached them.

The suspects reportedly instructed the victim to step outside his house for a dialogue.

After their conversation, the victim ran back to his house, but the three armed assailants followed him and allegedly shot him three times.

The victim suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head and stomach.

The suspects then fled toward the mountainous area of Barangay Maaslob.

Recovered from the scene were two 9 mm spent cartridge cases and one .45-caliber cartridge case.

Police said they have identified persons of interest and are exploring possible motives behind the attack, including a land dispute within the family.

Authorities also are not discounting the possibility that the attack could be linked to insurgency, considering the manner of the killing, but said this remains subject to validation.