Mother, Son Shot Dead in Escalante City

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Police are still investigating the motive behind the killing of an 81-year-old woman and her 58-year-old son in Sitio Lower Lauyan, Barangay Dian-ay, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday night.

Authorities identified the victims as Estelita and her son Virgilio.

According to Police Lt. Suzennie Ann Legada, administrative officer of the Escalante City Police Station, the victims were walking home at around 8:45 p.m. when they were shot in a dark area near a new sugarcane plantation.

Estelita sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach, while Virgilio suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body.

Both victims were rushed to a hospital but were pronounced dead.

Police recovered several spent bullet casings at the crime scene, but the type of firearm used is still under ballistic examination.

Legada said there were no witnesses in the area, leaving investigators with no leads yet on the perpetrator.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the motive behind the attack.