• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An elderly married couple were found dead inside their residence, following a reported shooting incident, in Barangay Bajumpandan, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
The victims are a 72-year-old American national and his 71-year-old Filipina wife, whose identities are being withheld by the authorities.
Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO), said both the victims succumbed to gunshot wounds.
Based on the initial investigation of the NORPPO and the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, two unidentified male suspects allegedly entered the victims’ residence.
Several men were reportedly seen leaving the vicinity of the crime scene shortly after the incident.
Investigation further showed that the couple’s 53-year-old female caretaker was awakened at around 4 a.m. by the presence of an unidentified male wearing a bonnet and carrying a firearm.
While the initial police report described the case as suspected robbery with homicide, investigators have yet to establish the motive of the incident.
On July 12, American marine biologist Kent Carpenter was also shot dead inside his home in the neighboring Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
Several days after, five arrested suspects were charged with robbery with homicide. | GPB
