SIX SHOOTINGS IN THREE WEEKS: Alleged drug personality killed in another gun attack

By Glazyl Y. Masculino and Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Another case of shooting incident occurred here on Thursday night, killing an alleged drug personality in Barangay Singcang-Airport here.

Police identified the victim as Adonis Matulac, 54, of the said village, an alleged newly identified street level individual.

Matulac’s case was the sixth shooting incident reported here since June 1, and the second incident this week.

Major Joery Puerto, head of Police Station 8, said that Matulac was driving his motorcycle on his way home when a white pick-up truck reportedly tailed him.

The driver of the pickup truck then called out Matulac, prompting the latter to stop, Puerto said.

A passenger of the pickup truck then rolled down the car window and talked to the victim.

The pickup passenger allegedly shot the victim’s head, Puerto said.

Police recovered from the scene a bullet of an alleged .45 caliber ammunition.

The victim later expired at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital here.

Puerto said they already have a person of interest in the case, but he refused to divulge the identity pending the investigation.

Puerto said they are looking into the incident as drug-related.

“Pirmi lang kuno kulang remit sang victim sa person of interest,” Puerto said, adding that one angle they’re eyeing was an alleged failed illegal drug transaction.

Aside from that, the person of interest also allegedly suspected the victim of providing information to the police to subject him to a buy-bust operation, Puerto said.

“Gin buy-bust siya (person of interest) namon recently galing nakapalagyo,” the station commander added.

Meanwhile, a security officer was wounded after he was shot by an alleged drug personality in Barangay Oringao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental last Thursday.

Police are eyeing grudges as possible motive since the victim and the suspect had a previous land dispute, which was already settled in the barangay.

SUPPORT

Meanwhile, lawyer Bong Dilag, spokesman of incoming Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez on Friday said that the latter has committed his full support to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) in its peace and order campaign amid the recent spate of killings in the city.

Dilag together with BCPO spokesman Lt. Col. Sherlock Gabana held a press conference here where the latter bared that since June 1, six shooting incidents happened in the city, with five victims killed.

“Many of our residents have raised alarm over the spate of violence that occurred in the city in the last few days,” Dilag said.

“To that effect, the Benitez administration would like to reiterate its commitment of support to our police officers not only in terms of our trust and confidence in the performance of their duties but also in the maintenance of peace and order. We reassure our police officers that we stand shoulder to shoulder with them and we will do whatever we can to strengthen their capabilities in terms of maintenance of peace and order and crime prevention,” he added.

Dilag also said that have taken proactive moves to break new grounds in supporting the city police force.

“We also urged the community to observe caution, vigilance and the necessary prudence in their day-to-day activities,” he added.

Gabana said the BCPO is doing all it can to address the situation as he also urged the public to cooperate in this effort of the law enforcers.

He said BCPO has presented its “wish list” to Benitez in a recent conference geared to improve the BCPO capabilities in its peace and order campaign.

He said while there are CCTV installed in the city, only a few are functioning.