Village chief’s son arrested in laborer’s killing

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are preparing charges against the 33-year-old son of a village chief in Barangay Isio, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, following the fatal shooting of a 30-year-old laborer over a misunderstanding on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.

Police Lt. Col. Norberto Barniso, chief of the Cauayan Municipal Police Station, said the victim and the suspect belonged to separate groups that were showing off motorcycles with open pipe mufflers past 2 a.m. when the suspect’s sibling allegedly threw a firecracker that struck the victim’s nephew, triggering an altercation.

Barniso said the suspect became irked, went home, and allegedly retrieved a firearm before returning to confront the victim.

According to a witness, the suspect allegedly shot the victim after being ignored during the confrontation.

The victim sustained two gunshot wounds to the back and armpit. Despite his injuries, the victim reportedly pulled out a knife and hacked the suspect while the two grappled for the firearm.

Barniso said the victim was declared dead at a hospital, while the suspect suffered hack wounds to the back and head.

The victim’s brother disarmed the suspect and turned over to police a .45-caliber pistol, along with three live rounds of ammunition and four spent cartridge cases.

Barniso said the firearm was reportedly owned by the suspect’s father, who is the incumbent village chief. The suspect remains under hospital arrest pending the filing of appropriate charges.

In a separate incident, an 18-year-old student was gunned down by two unidentified suspects in Barangay Baclao, Cauayan, on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2025.

Police said the victim had just returned home and was instructed by his uncle to retrieve a parcel while riding a motorcycle.

While on his way, the victim was shot multiple times, resulting in his death. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.