Two shot dead due to land rows

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – Two persons were shot to death in two areas in Negros Occidental last Wednesday due to land conflicts.

In Calatrava town, Bonifacio Catalago, 63, of Barangay Ani-e was killed by an unidentified perpetrator at the said village around 6 a.m.

Police Major Roberto Indiape Jr., town police chief, said Catalogo was on his way to the upper part of the mountain to feed his cow, when he was waylaid.

The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to Calatrava District Hospital where he expired.

Recovered from the scene were 25 cartridges of .9 mm-caliber ammunition.

Indiape said Catalogo faced three murder cases, wherein two of the victims were his relatives.

Indiape said the cases were settled as the families of Catalogo’s victims did not pursue charges against him.

“Kilala siya abi na astig sa ila lugar sang una,” the police chief added.

Indiape said they are looking into vengeance and land conflict as possible motives behind his death. He said they already have a person of interest.

In La Carlota City, Eduardo Sapitanan, 58, of Barangay San Miguel was allegedly gunned down by Aquilino Laurencio Jr. at the said village.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonel Guadalupe, city police chief, said Sapitanan was at his sugarcane farm when Laurencio confronted him about the bamboo plant which the victim allegedly cut last Tuesday.

An altercation occurred between them until the suspect went home then returned and allegedly shot the victim, who was on his way home.

Sapitanan suffered two gunshot wounds and was rushed to Don Salvador Benedicto Memorial District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Police recovered from the scene a deformed ammunition case.

Guadalupe said the suspect was arrested later that day at Barangay Nagasi, where he hid.

Guadalupe said Laurencio allegedly planted the bamboo at the victim’s farm without the latter’s permission, causing misunderstanding between them.

Guadalupe said the suspect admitted the crime due to their land dispute.

Laurencio is facing murder charges, the police chief added.