BACOLOD City — A 53-year-old farmer was killed after three unidentified gunmen stormed his residence in a remote village in Calatrava, Negros Occidental on Tuesday morning, May 5.
The Calatrava Municipal Police Station (MPS) reported that the shooting took place around 9 a.m. at Sitio Agbalatuan in Barangay Dolis. The victim, identified by the alias “Jemar,” was reportedly preparing to leave his home with his wife when the assailants arrived.
According to Police Captain Jesus Alba, chief of the Calatrava MPS, three armed men approached the couple and asked the victim to step outside for a conversation. After a brief exchange, the victim grew suspicious and attempted to retreat into his house for safety. The suspects followed him inside and opened fire, hitting him multiple times in the head and abdomen. He died instantly at the scene.
The barangay captain alerted the police at approximately 9:20 a.m. after receiving reports of a commotion. Emergency responders transported the victim to the Calatrava District Hospital but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Police recovered two spent .9mm cartridge cases and one spent caliber.45 cartridge case from the crime scene.
Following the attack, the suspects fled toward the mountainous terrain of neighboring Barangay Maaslob. Calatrava police have launched a hot pursuit operation and were working to establish a motive, though they have not yet confirmed if the killing was sparked by a personal dispute. The investigation was ongoing as of this writing./PN
