Police probe motive in Kabankalan livestock buyer slay

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are investigating personal motives behind the fatal shooting of a 54-year-old livestock buyer in Barangay Camansi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Sunday.

The victim, identified only as “Alberto,” was a resident of the same barangay.

Police Lt. Col. Roberto Indiape Jr. said the victim was repairing a motorcycle when two unidentified suspects arrived and shot him with an unknown firearm.

Alberto sustained gunshot wounds to the head and back and was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

Investigators recovered two spent cartridges from a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Indiape said they are not ruling out the possibility that the incident may be insurgency-related, as the victim had reportedly introduced himself as an asset of government forces.

He also noted that the victim’s older brother was killed in an encounter with the military in the same barangay in 2022.

According to Indiape, the victim’s family has been hesitant to share more information due to the sensitivity of the case and security concerns.