BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO – A man was discovered dead with multiple gunshot wounds in a ravine in Barangay Tranghawan, Lambunao at around 6 a.m. yesterday, Nov. 9.
The lifeless body was identified as that of Antonio Artiaga, using his senior citizen card and a laboratory request form, said Corporal Adrian Lozarita of the Lambunao Police Station.
Artiaga, originally from Barangay Aplaya, Digos City in Davao del Sur province, had been living temporarily in Barangay Tipolo, Mina, Iloilo. The 75-year-old was last seen at a cockpit arena the previous night and was purportedly involved in an altercation.
Residents in the vicinity reported hearing a series of gunshots at around 8 p.m.
Investigators found fresh bloodstains and spent bullet casings on the road near the ravine, suggesting the location of the shooting.
In an interview with RMN Iloilo, Ariel, the son of Artiaga, said his father had plans to visit a friend through their connection in cockfighting. He also said his father was actively breeding cockfighting roosters and would regularly send them money to buy poultry feed.
Ariel recalled that his father had expressed a desire to return to Davao del Sur just last week. Their last telephone conversation was on Nov. 8.
The authorities are currently working with the family to arrange for the transportation of Artiaga’s remains back to Digos City. The police are continuing their investigation into the incident./PN
