Two Killed in Bacolod Shootings Before Christmas

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY—Two men, including a person with disability (PWD), were killed in separate shooting incidents here just days before Christmas.

The first incident occurred on December 23 along Lacson Street in Barangay Mandalagan, resulting in the death of a 26-year-old PWD whose family had reported him exhibiting unusual behavior earlier that day.

Police Capt. Rondyl Tapang, head of Police Station 3, said the victim was allegedly harassing a woman and her children in a roadside store past 6 p.m.

The woman sought help from her brother, a 37-year-old security guard on duty at a nearby establishment.

Tapang said the victim allegedly entered the store and began ransacking drawers, causing fear among the woman and her children.

When the security guard responded, a commotion ensued, during which the victim reportedly attempted to grab the guard’s issued firearm.

Due to the victim’s unruly behavior, the suspect allegedly shot him twice, causing his immediate death.

The suspect surrendered to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) three hours later, accompanied by the legal counsel of his security agency. He also turned over a 9mm firearm, which will undergo ballistic examination to confirm if it matches the recovered shell casings from the scene.

Homicide charges will be filed against the suspect, who is now detained at Police Station 3, according to Tapang.

In a separate incident on December 24, a man was fatally shot by an unidentified assailant on Lopez Jaena Street, Barangay 27, at around 4:50 a.m.

The victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police have yet to determine the motive for the shooting and are conducting further investigations.

Both incidents underscore the need for heightened security and vigilance during the holiday season.