Two killed in Bacolod shootings

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – Two people were killed in separate shooting incidents here on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

On July 10, 37-year-old Niño Baldevia of Barangay Taculing was outside his house when an unidentified gunman shot him around 6:15 p.m.

Police Captain Dax Santillan, head of Police Station 6, said they are exploring three possible motives behind the killing: revenge, grudges, and drug-related issues.

Santillan stated that he could not elaborate further as the investigation is ongoing.

Recovered from the scene were two spent bullets of an unknown firearm.

Santillan said the victim was declared dead at the hospital.

The following day, 33-year-old Joemarie Villapaña of Barangay 14 was also gunned down at the Bredco port by an unidentified person.

Police Captain Glenn Montaño, head of Police Station 2, said the victim was talking to someone when they argued, and the other person suddenly shot him multiple times, causing fatal injuries.

Montaño said the victim was declared dead at the hospital.

Police recovered five spent bullets and a deformed slug from an unknown firearm at the scene.

Montaño said the victim had previously committed alarm and scandal and violated Republic Act 11332, the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

The victim was also involved in some theft incidents, but no cases or official complaints had been filed against him, Montaño added.

According to his sister, who was previously arrested for a drug offense, the victim was also allegedly a drug user. However, Montaño said he could not link the death to illegal drugs.

Montaño suggested that the killing might be related to the victim’s alleged theft record. The investigation is ongoing.