Watchman killed, minor hurt in gun attack

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY — Authorities suspect grudges may have motivated the gun attack that killed a watchman and wounded his 12-year-old relative at Sitio Buyoron, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, last Friday.

Police identified the fatality as Rogelio Ariola, 32, of Barangay Mahalang.

Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Grande, city police chief, reported that Ariola was on a bulldozer with his relative when they were shot by two unidentified individuals.

The minor jumped off the heavy equipment and took cover but was hit in the right arm.

Grande said the gunmen allegedly shot Ariola again before fleeing. Ariola succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Police recovered several empty AK-47 shells from the scene.

Grande noted that Ariola had a previous case but did not provide further details, as he was not privy to the information.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the attack could be insurgency-related, considering the area’s reputation as rebel-influenced.

Ariola was overseeing a road project in the village at the time of the attack.