Laborer shot dead by cousin over family grudge

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are investigating a personal grudge as the possible motive in the fatal shooting of a 30-year-old laborer Thursday in Hacienda San Jose, Barangay Sag-ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the victim only as alias Ipil, a resident of Bago City.

Investigators said the 32-year-old suspect, identified only as alias Romi, asked the victim and an 18-year-old man to accompany him on the ride home.

The victim and the teenager are both second cousins of the suspect.

The teenager drove the motorcycle, while the victim sat in the middle and the suspect rode at the rear.

Upon reaching the area, the suspect allegedly ordered the victim to get off the motorcycle.

Police said the suspect then drew a firearm and pointed it at the victim.

The victim attempted to take cover, but the suspect allegedly shot him several times.

The teenager pleaded with the suspect to stop, but the gunman allegedly ignored him.

The suspect then ordered the teenager to leave.

Fearing for his life, the teenager fled on foot and saw the suspect escape toward a nearby creek.

The teenager later returned to retrieve his motorcycle and reported the incident to his grandmother.

Police said the suspect allegedly held a grudge against the victim’s family.

Investigators said the victim’s mother and stepfather allegedly provided authorities with information in 2016 about the whereabouts of the suspect’s father.

The suspect’s father was then listed as a most wanted person and faced several pending criminal cases, according to police.

Police records showed that the suspect’s father died Jan. 22, 2025.

Investigators are looking into whether the previous law enforcement operation and the victim’s family’s cooperation with authorities motivated the attack.

Police said the alleged motive remained subject to further verification.

Authorities were continuing efforts to locate and arrest the suspect.