A laborer was shot to death by an unidentified assailant in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Saturday night.
The police identified the victim as Jerry Emia, 53, who succumbed to a gunshot wound in the head.
Initial police investigation showed the victim and his son-in-law, Romilo Estrada, was having a drinking session when the gunman approached them and shot Emia.
The suspect fled towards the north direction while the victim, who was brought to the district hospital, was declared dead on arrival.
A grudge is believed to have triggered the shooting incident.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) on Sept. 4 condemned the latest atrocity of the remnants of the Communist Party of the Philippines -New People’s Army (NPA), which claimed the life of a former barangay councilman in Manapla in northern Negros.
“We denounce this cowardly act of violence and call on all Negrenses to unite with the authorities in putting an end to the atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA. We assure the family of the victim and the public that we will pursue justice for this senseless killing,” Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said in a statement.
Alias “Pablo,” 54, of Barangay San Pablo was shot dead by a lone assailant using a caliber .45 pistol outside his house in Hacienda Cabayao Sept. 3.
According to the PRO-NIR, investigation showed that three suspects, identified through the Philippine National Police e-rogue system, were confirmed as members of the CPP-NPA.
Ibay said the victim, described by his neighbors as a peace-loving individual and a respected public servant, was targeted by the rebel remnants “due to a mistaken belief that he was an informant of the Philippine Army.”
The Manapla Municipal Police has already obtained sworn statements from witnesses, subscribed before the Victorias City Prosecutor’s Office, and is awaiting the post-mortem and ballistic examination results for the filing of the case on Sept. 8. ||
