Hacienda overseer shot dead by suspected NPA

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Escalante City Police Station in Negros Occidental are probing the death of a hacienda overseer who was believed to have been shot by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) at Barangay Mabini last Saturday.

The victim was identified as Leticio Cordova, 45, of the said village.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gil Despi, city police chief, said the victim was having a drinking session with his wife and brother at their residence when six persons arrived, one of them reportedly called him to go out.

Despi said the victim faced them and a gunshot was then heard by his wife. The victim fell to the floor after he was hit in his stomach, the city police chief added.

Despi said the victim then was shot again (close range) in the head which caused his immediate death.

Despi said the perpetrators then fled while shouting “NPA ni.” However, he said they could not yet confirm if indeed the rebels were behind the gun attack.

Police recovered from the scene two fired cartridge cases of .45 caliber.

Despi said they cannot yet establish the motive, although they are looking at the victim’s previous rape case that was already dismissed. “Kung makainom siya, ga maoy man daw siya,” Despi said.

He also said that the victim had a recent misunderstanding with someone. “May kaaway man daw siya, and those three can be considered possible angles in the crime,” he added.