Village watchman arrested for murder over financial dispute

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — A village watchman, 54-year-old Joselito Salioc, is in custody after turning himself in for the fatal shooting of his brother-in-law’s wife in Barangay 10, Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday.

Police Captain Genus David, deputy chief of Victorias City Police Station, confirmed that Salioc was apprehended Thursday night following coordination between his wife, local officials, and the police.

According to David, Salioc retreated to a relative’s home in Kabankalan City after the incident and was retrieved there on Thursday afternoon.

The altercation reportedly arose when 58-year-old Emily Lorega refused a loan to Salioc, responding with remarks that angered him.

While intoxicated, Salioc used a .357 magnum revolver to shoot Lorega in the chest during a heated argument at her home on Tuesday night.

David noted that after the shooting, Salioc also turned the gun on himself before abandoning it.

Despite his injury, Salioc managed to seek temporary refuge in a sugarcane field before making his way to Kabankalan City.

Upon surrender, Salioc underwent a medical examination before being detained by authorities.