Motives explored in shooting of La Castellana councilman

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — Police are investigating a crime of passion, grudges, or land disputes as possible motives behind the killing of a barangay councilman in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

The incident occurred last Wednesday at Sitio Canurong, Barangay Puso and the victim was identified as 48-year-old Kagawad Reynaldo Jacolbe.

According to Police Major Sherwin Fernandez, town police chief, Jacolbe was riding his motorcycle to his farm when he was ambushed by at least three unidentified assailants hiding in a sugarcane field beside the road shortly after 8 p.m.

Despite sustaining gunshot wounds, Jacolbe managed to drive a few meters away from the attackers. However, he eventually fell, and the assailants chased him down and shot him again.

Authorities recovered fired cartridge cases and slugs from alleged 9mm and .45 caliber firearms at the scene.

“The attack was well-planned, as the suspects may have monitored the victim,” Fernandez stated. He added that police are exploring all possible motives for the attack but did not provide further details to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation.

In a statement dated May 3, the Leonardo Panaligan Command (LPC) – New People’s Army (NPA) Central Negros Guerrilla Front denied any involvement in the killing.

“The rebel group has no participation in the said gun attack, and they were saddened by the incident,” said Ka JB Regalado, LPC-NPA spokesperson.