One killed, three hurt in shooting

A police officer investigates the area at Barangay San Isidro; Toboso, Negros Occidental where an alleged ambush occurred which injured two persons Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Toboso Municipal Police Station)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A man died while three others were injured in two separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental last Sunday.

In Barangay Caduha-an, Cadiz City, Rigoberto Javier was killed while his nephew Kim Javier, 21, was hurt after they were allegedly shot by 44-year-old Victor Viejo at the said village.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Robert Mansueto, city police chief, said that both victims reportedly waylaid the suspect due to a previous misunderstanding.

One of the victims allegedly tried to stab Viejo but the latter was able to evade the attack.

The suspect shot the victims, hitting Rigoberto in the head and Kim in his arm.

Mansueto said that Viejo fled, but he surrendered to the police on Monday.

In Toboso town, Lucito Lovero and Jolen Intig were injured after they were allegedly ambushed by eight unidentified armed men at Barangay San Isidro.

Police Captain Ellendie Rebusquillo, town police chief, said that the victims, along with their eight other companions, including a barangay kagawad, were walking home when ambushed.

Rebusquillo said they heard gunshots prompting them to run. But Lovero and Intig were hit. They victims are confined to a hospital.

Some of the armed men, whose faces were covered with t-shirts, even checked the identities of the wounded victims before fleeing.

Police recovered from the scene empty shells of .45 caliber and M16 ammunitions.

Rebusquillo said that the incident was probably a case of mistaken identity.

He said the victims, who are residents in the village, cannot fathom the reason for the ambush.

He also said that the incident was not insurgency related.