Woman gunned down in own home

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A 61-year-old widow was shot dead in Ajuy, Iloilo evening of July 30, 2022.

Ledia Bainggan was with her 6-year-old grandchild at her house in Sitio Tigbao Tupas, Barangay Pili, a hinterland village in Ajuy, when the gun attack happened.

According to police reports, the elderly woman was having dinner with her granddaughter when they heard barking of dogs just outside the house

Bainggan got up from her seat to check if there was anyone outside.

Seconds later, gunfire was heard and Bainggan fell to the ground just outside their front door. She suffered a gunshot wound on the upper right side of her chest.

Her granddaughter claimed that she saw a man hurriedly leaving on foot.

Lieutenant Enrique Robles, Ajuy police chief, said they received a report of the incident around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. They responded together with an ambulance.

Bainggan’s body was sprawled on the pavement when police operatives arrived.

The ambulance took her to Sara District Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.

Robles said they already have a person of interest behind the incident.

“We’re looking at a lone gunman behind the killing,” he said.

Robles added that grudges traced to family conflict over a land court dispute could be one of the possible angles in the murder.

Robles said they are gathering more information and evidence to pin down the possible suspect in the killing.