Slain man in Sagay linked to meat vendor slay in Escalante

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are investigating the alleged link of a man who was shot dead in Sagay City, Negros Occidental last week to the killing of a meat vendor in Escalante City last month.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Indiape Jr., Sagay City police chief, said they are looking into the possibility that the death of 38-year-old Jomarie Matarong might have something to do with the murder of 57-year-old Josephine Matus in Barangay Dian-ay, Escalante City on Sept. 16.

Indiape said they are also validating information if Matarong was a member of gun-for-hire groups since he had a previous murder case which was dismissed by the court after the complainant failed to attend the hearings.

Indiape said Matarong’s perpetrators, who also wounded a teacher when she was hit by a stray bullet during the incident on Sept. 29, remain unidentified.

Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jake Barila, Escalante City police chief, said that Matarong was supposedly charged for murder in relation to the death of Matus after a witness identified him.

But since Matarong was already dead, police will submit a report to Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here regarding the “dropping and closing” of the case.

He said they will also consult the prosecutor’s office regarding the supposed complaint against Matarong.