• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
Three unidentified gunmen shot dead a 48-year-old gamefowl breeder early Tuesday morning at his cock farm in Barangay Marcelo, in Calatrava town, Negros Occidental.
The victim was identified as alias “Max,” a resident of the area.
Calatrava Municipal Police Station Deputy Chief PLt. Dwight Fajardo said that the victim was attending to his fighting cocks at around 6:30 a.m., when three unidentified gunmen arrived and shot him from behind.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his back. Police also found several deep slash wounds on the victim’s nape, which pointed out that after he was shot, the victim was also hacked from behind.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, but succumbed to his injuries before noon.
Authorities are looking into several possible angles, including personal grudges or business-related conflict, as they review the background and recent activities of the victim.
“This was a planned attack. We are coordinating with witnesses and nearby barangays for leads,” Fajardo said.
Investigators recovered from the crime scene one spent .45-caliber cartridge and a 12-gauge shotgun shell, indicating that more than one firearm was used in the attack.
Police have intensified their pursuit operation and appealed to nearby residents for any information that could help identify the assailants.*
