• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A former policeman and a farmer were separately shot dead on Wednesday and Thursday in Bago City, and Calatrava in Negros Occidental, respectively.
The 53-year-former policeman, whose identity was withheld by the police, was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, after he was shot by still unidentified suspects at Purok Michelle in Barangay Dulao, Bago City.
The victim, who was also a former member of the PNP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), was riding a Rusi motorcycle when he was fired upon by five unidentified armed men.
Recovered from the scene of the incident were 16 empty 5.56mm shells, nine fired 9mm cartridges, a live ammunition of 9mm, a 9mm slug, a handheld radio, and a cellular phone, aside from the motorcycle of the victim.
A day earlier, two unidentified suspects shot and killed a 51-year-old farmer in Barangay Dolis, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.
The victim succumbed to gunshot wounds on the head, back, and right forearm, according to the Calatrava police.
The initial police investigation showed that the victim, accompanied by his brother and a helper, were about to ride a motorcycle when they were approached by the two suspects.
Recovered by the police from the scene of the incident were five empty cartridges of a still undetermined caliber of firearms, and two fired bullets.
The victim was reported by the police to have been declared dead on arrival at the Calatrava Municipal Hospital.*
