Woman shot dead outside Negros Occidental jail

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are investigating a possible drug-related motive in the killing of a 41-year-old woman outside the Negros Occidental District Jail in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.

Authorities identified the victim as Lowela, a resident of Barangay 2, Manapla.

Lt. Col. James Latayon, Bago City police chief, said the victim had just left the jail with two friends and boarded a rented tricycle driven by another friend when unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants shot her with a .45-caliber pistol.

Latayon said the victim died from gunshot wounds to the shoulder and face.

The motorcycle driver was described as wearing a yellow-gold sweatshirt and a black bonnet, while the back rider was wearing a black T-shirt and a black bonnet.

Police said both suspects were not wearing helmets.

Latayon said the suspects may have tailed the victim before the attack.

Her companions were unharmed.

Latayon said the victim had visited her live-in partner, who was detained at the facility for a drug offense.

Police are looking for closed-circuit television camera footage to help identify the assailants, Latayon said.

He said investigators have no leads yet on the suspects.

Latayon said police are also coordinating with the Manapla Municipal Police Station to check the victim’s background.

The Negros Occidental District Jail is a provincial detention facility in Bago City that houses persons deprived of liberty while their cases are pending in court.