Two Killed in Separate Shootings in Negros

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Two men were killed in separate shooting incidents in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental on Thursday night.

In Bacolod, police are investigating personal grudges as a possible motive in the killing of a man identified only as “Cesar” in Barangay 27.

Police Maj. Elmer Bonilla, head of Police Station 4, said the victim was chased by three unidentified suspects and was allegedly mauled before managing to escape.

One of the suspects pursued him until he reached the dead end of an alley, where he was shot in the back and died on the spot.

Bonilla said they have identified the gunman, who remains at large.

He added that the victim allegedly had a tough demeanor that may have angered residents in the area.

The victim, a resident of Barangay Handumanan, reportedly frequented Barangay 27 for unknown reasons.

Bonilla said the victim had previous complaints of theft filed at Police Stations 1 and 6 and had gone viral online for allegedly committing the offenses.

In Toboso town, a 61-year-old man was killed during a purok fiesta in Sitio Minasug-ang, Barangay Tabun-ac.

Police said the victim and his 25-year-old companion, both from Barangay Bandila, were attending the event when two suspects suddenly approached and surrounded them.

The suspects allegedly beat the two victims until they fell to the ground.

One suspect then drew a firearm and shot the older victim, killing him.

The younger man managed to escape and hide for safety.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects.

The attack followed a separate shooting in the same village on Wednesday that killed a former Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliary, in a killing claimed by New People’s Army rebels.