• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Five individuals, including an Indian national, were injured in a gun attack along Hacienda Buyong-Buyong Road in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday morning.
The primary victim was identified as a 42-year-old female Indian national and resident of Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City.
The suspect is identified by authorities as the victim’s brother-in-law and a fellow Indian national residing in Bacolod City.
According to initial investigations, the primary victim and her 45-year-old driver were traveling on a motorcycle toward Barangay Bagtic at approximately 10:25 a.m. when they were targeted.
Police reports state that an unidentified motorcycle began tailing them before the suspect opened fire.
The woman sustained a gunshot wound to the left side of her stomach, while her driver suffered abrasions on his left hand after losing control of the motorcycle and falling.
The injured woman boarded a passing multicab to escape but the suspect allegedly pursued the vehicle and continued shooting at them.
This second volley of gunfire resulted in injuries to three additional passengers, including a 52-year-old farmer, a 76-year-old resident of Brgy. Guimbalaon, and a 50-year-old farmer.
The victims were rushed to the Teresita Jalandoni Lopez Provincial Hospital, where they are currently reported to be in a stable condition.
Elements of the Silay City Police Station have launched a hot pursuit operation to apprehend the suspect, who fled the scene after the attack.
Investigators currently point to a personal grudge as the motive behind the shooting.*
