Farmer shot dead in Lambunao

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A farmer was repeatedly shot while resting in a neighborhood store in Lambunao, Iloilo afternoon of August 1, 2021.

Police identified the victim as Arnel Silva, 40, of Barangay Banban, a hinterland village some 10 kilometers away from the Lambunao town proper.

According to reports, Silva was binge drinking with some friends prior to the incident.

Instead of going home, he passed by the sari-sari store of Barangay Kagawad Jenelyn Bangeles. The area was around 3 kilometers from where he lived.

The victim decided to rest in a makeshift bench when two motorcycle-riding men stopped near the store around 2:30 p.m.

The backrider alighted from the motorcycle and immediately peppered Silva with bullets.

He suffered multiple gunshot injuries on the different parts of his body.

There were reports that the gunman even fired “finishing shots” to ensure that Silva would not survive.

The victim was taken to Dr. Ricardo Ladrido Memorial District Hospital where he was declared dead.

Major Jogen Suegay, Lambunao police chief, said they already have two persons of interest in Silva’s murder.

Police investigators are looking at personal grudges as possible motive for the killing.