BACOLOD City — A 38-year-old man was wounded in a shooting incident in Barangay Patun-an, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, on October 20, prompting police to launch a hot pursuit operation against the unidentified gunman.
Police identified the victim only as alias “Rigor,” a resident of the barangay.
Initial investigation showed that the victim was walking through a dimly lit alley from his residence toward the main road at around 6:50 p.m. when an unidentified assailant allegedly followed him and shot him several times before fleeing.
The suspect reportedly escaped aboard a red Baja motorcycle toward the hinterland area of Barangay San Benito in Calatrava.
Responding police officers recovered two fired .45-caliber cartridge cases at the scene.
The victim was initially transported by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to the Calatrava District Hospital before being referred to St. Anne Hospital in Cadiz City for further treatment.
Personnel of the Calatrava Municipal Police Station, including the investigating officer and other alert team members, responded after receiving information from concerned citizens at around 7 p.m.
Police launched a hot pursuit operation and coordinated with neighboring police stations, the Philippine Army’s PA Tigbon, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion for dragnet operations to locate and apprehend the suspect.
Authorities have yet to identify the gunman, while the motive for the shooting remains undetermined.
Police said efforts to locate the suspect and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
