Four killed in Negros shootings

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The past two days in Negros provinces were bloody following four murder cases, including the killings of two barangay officials in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, and San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

In Dumaguete City, Punong Barangay Harrison Gonzales, 52, of Poblacion 1, Tinago was shot dead by unidentified perpetrators.

Gonzales and several council members were at their outpost for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related work when the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Mark Gifter Sucalit, Dumaguete City police chief, said the assailants shot Gonzales in front of the outpost with pistols.

Gonzales suffered 14 gunshot wounds in the abdomen, back, and head. He was taken to a hospital where he later expired.

Police recovered from the scene eight fired cartridge and two slugs of .45-caliber ammunitions, and the victim’s cellular phone.

Sucalit said they have yet to establish the motive for the killing.

He, however, said that based on their initial background check on the victim, he was reinstated in March 2020 after being dismissed for a plunder case.

In San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Kagawad Novo Deocampo, 44, of Barangay 4 was gunned down outside his house by two unidentified men on a motorcycle past 1 a.m. yesterday.

Police Major Mark Angelo Junco, city police chief, said the victim was about to ride his car when the gunmen shot him in the head, back, and chest.

Police recovered from the scene seven fired cartridges of .45 caliber ammunition, and a bullet of still unknown firearm.

Junco said that they are exploring all possible angles behind the killing, but they are also initially looking at Deocampo’s personal life and business.

He also said that the barangay official had not received any threats before and had no previous records or complaint filed against him.

Two more shooting incidents were also reported in the areas of Kabankalan City and in San Carlos City yesterday.

The fatalities were Emilio Mayang Jr., 32, of Barangay Salong; and Bermil Maantos, 37, of Barangay Bagonbon, respectively.

The perpetrators were also unidentified.