Farmer Shot Dead Over Land Dispute in Murcia

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — A 54-year-old farmer was shot dead Saturday night over a land dispute in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental.

The victim, identified as “Carlito,” was preparing dinner with his two sons when two suspects approached him.

Police Maj. Sherwin Fernandez, chief of the Murcia Municipal Police Station, said one of the suspects, identified as 33-year-old “Charlie,” allegedly shot Carlito with a shotgun.

Charlie then fled with his father, 69-year-old “Ben.”

Carlito sustained a single gunshot wound to the stomach and was declared dead at the hospital.

Fernandez said Charlie was arrested at their home in Barangay Minoyan on Sunday, while Ben was apprehended in the barangay proper on Monday.

Police said the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute over boundaries in a coffee plantation.

It was the first time the argument escalated into violence, according to investigators.

Fernandez added that the victim’s family intends to press charges against both suspects.