Village councilor shot dead by alleged robber

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Policemen arrested a suspected robber several hours after he allegedly shot a barangay official in Barangay Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental last Thursday.

Major Joseph Partidas, town police chief, said that 37-year-old Melchor Salazar was arrested in the said village after he was identified by some witnesses as the suspect in the killing of Kagawad Joselito Magallanes, 60, of Barangay Dancalan.

Partidas said Magallanes saw a man at his neighbor’s mini grocery store, prompting him to call his attention. However, the man, who was later identified as Salazar, allegedly shot him in the head and fled.

Partidas said Magallanes would usually go out of their house every morning to turn off the lights in the streets when he spotted Salazar.

Salazar allegedly carted away P115,000 worth of cash and some grocery items from the grocery store, according to Partidas.

Police recovered from the scene P300 worth of coins sealed with tape, an improvised chisel, a pack of cigarettes, and a slipper.

Magallanes was declared dead in a hospital, according to the police chief.

Partidas said the suspect is known in the village, thus, they were able to arrest him in a hot pursuit operation.

Partidas said the suspect was previously arrested for a drug offense and was later released from jail through plea bargaining. Robbery with homicide charges will be filed against the suspect, he added.

Meanwhile, on that same day, an unidentified man was found dead at Crossing Tanduay, Barangay Camindangan, Sipalay City.

Based on a police investigation, some residents heard gunshots past 11 p.m. last Wednesday.

The following day, a resident, who visited his rice field, discovered the lifeless body of the victim with injuries on the head and other parts of his body.