• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A 73-year-old farmer was shot and killed early Monday morning at approximately 6:50 a.m. while sitting on the pavement at Sitio Talave, Barangay Punao, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The victim, identified as Cresencio Poloyapoy, a resident of Purok Adelfa, Barangay Pinucotan in Calatrava, was reportedly seated along Talave Road when the incident occurred.
According to initial police reports, Poloyapoy had just disembarked from a passenger jeepney coming from Calatrava when he sat down beside the road.
Minutes later, two unidentified suspects approached and opened fire, fleeing the scene aboard a black Rusi motorcycle heading towards Calatrava.
The gunmen’s attack left Poloyapoy with multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal wound to his diaphragm that exited through his right side of the abdomen, and a gunshot wound to his face that exited through his right ear. He was declared dead on-site.
The City Health Officer was immediately notified to conduct a post-mortem examination, and authorities confirmed the victim’s death at the scene.
Further investigation suggests that the victim’s live-in partner suspects that Poloyapoy’s son, alias “Billy,” may have been involved in the killing.
According to her statement, tensions flared the night before the attack, when Poloyapoy reportedly asked his son to stop their karaoke session so he could sleep, but Billy allegedly refused to turn off the music and continued singing.
In retaliation, Poloyapoy is said to have unplugged the extension wire supplying electricity to Billy’s house. Since that altercation, the suspect’s demeanor reportedly changed, becoming increasingly irritable.
The incident triggered Poloyapoy’s live-in partner to suspect the victim’s son behind the killing.
Police are actively pursuing leads, including a search for the suspect, to facilitate a thorough investigation and possible arrest. CCTV footage is currently being reviewed to identify the assailants and gather further evidence.
The cadaver of the victim was brought to a funeral parlor for proper disposition.*
