Welder shot dead in Moises Padilla

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Policemen are not discounting the possibility that the killing of a welder in Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental last Monday, was insurgency-related.

The victim was identified as Divine Anonong, 40, of the said village.

Police Major Jovito Bose, town police chief, said a barangay tanod told the victim that someone was looking for him for a business transaction.

The victim then left his house and went to a banana grove area a few meters away from his house.

Several gunshots were then heard and the watchman reportedly saw about six unidentified armed men shoot the victim, Bose said.

The victim succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, according to Bose.

Police recovered from the scene two fired bullets from a .45 caliber firearm.

Bose said the area where the recent killing happened is near the area where the first shooting incident also occurred perpetrated by the NPA rebels.

“For now, gahulat ta pronouncement if ever sila (NPA) man gid,” he added.

Despite this, Bose said they are also exploring other possible angles, like grudges.

He said they will check if the victim had previous enemies that could be linked to the incident.

He also said they are urging the watchman to cooperate in the investigation, as he witnessed the said incident.

He said the victim had no criminal record with the police and also had no record in the barangay.