Personal, work eyed in kagawad’s slay

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are eyeing two possible angles behind the murder of a barangay official in Barangay Vista Alegre here over the weekend.

Police Captain Elmer Bonilla, head of Police Station 7, said the motive for the killing of Barangay 14 Kagawad Rhoule Jay Marti, could be something personal or work-related.

“Basi bala may ara wala nami-an sang service na ginhatag niya as kagawad, or may ara na mas personal,” Bonilla added.

Martir, 38, was playing a game on his cellular phone beside his wife outside their house when unidentified men shot him at close range. His wife was unharmed.

Bonilla said that some unidentified men was looking for Martir in Barangay 14 a week ago and were asking for his residence.

Martir transferred house in Barangay Vista Alegre, but was rendering duty as a public official in Barangay 14.

Bonilla said they already have a copy of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage showing a blue Toyota Corolla that was believed used by three to four perpetrators.

The car was seen at the subdivision that day prior to the shooting.

Bonilla said Martir’s brother is reportedly linked to illegal drugs, but they could not yet tell if the killing has something to do with that information.

Bonilla said they are now backtracking Martir’s activities in Barangay 14 to help them in the investigation.

Meanwhile, two persons were injured in separate shooting incidents here and in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last Sunday.

In Bacolod, Jason Olvidado, 30, of Purok Lampirong, Barangay 2 was wounded after he was shot by an unidentified assailant in the said village last Sunday.

Investigation disclosed that the victim was standing beside a well when the gunman, who was wearing a yellow raincoat, shot him in the left eye.

Police Captain Paul Vincent Pendon, head of Police Station 2, said they are looking into grudges as possible motive in the gun attack.

Pendon said that Olvidado was released from jail in May this year for a drug offense.

Pendon said that Olvidado’s brother was killed last year due to vengeance.

“Daw siga na da sila abi kuno sa lugar, basi pag timalos man bala tungod sa ginahimo man nila,” Pendon said.

Pendon said that Olvidado, who is now stable in a hospital, is being monitored due to his previous drug case.

In Kabankalan City, tricycle driver Sammy Villanueva, 49, of Barangay Binicuil was injured after he was allegedly shot by 46-year-old Winston Roa in the said village last Sunday.

Investigation disclosed that Villanueva took a bolo and confronted Roa following a heated argument between them.

However, the suspect took his .38 caliber revolver firearm at his house and shot the victim hitting his chest.

Villanueva was taken to a hospital, while Roa voluntarily surrendered to the police.

Police are eyeing land conflict or grudges as possible motives in the incident.