TWO persons, including a minor, died while three others were injured in separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental in the past three days.
In Bacolod City, a 16-year-old boy was shot to death by two unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants at Barangay Estefania early Sunday. His 15-year-old friend, whose name was withheld, was injured.
Senior Inspector Rey Tolosa Jr., head of Police Station 4, identified the fatality as Regie John Semillano.
Tolosa said they have no lead yet on the motive and identities of the perpetrators.
But he said that it could be triggered by a misunderstanding among teenage groups.
Tolosa said they are having difficulty in the investigation because the statements of the victims' companions are inconsistent.
Another minor was also allegedly wounded but Tolosa said they are still verifying it because there was no record at the hospital.
In Silay City, Bobby Belarmino, 42, of Barangay E. Lopez was also gunned down by three unidentified armed men on two motorcycles at the said village Saturday, September 22. He was a watchman of a sugarcane plantation.
Superintendent Noel Polines, city police chief, said Belarmino along with his brother-in-law were on their way to fetch the victim's daughter when they took a shelter at a waiting shed because of the rain.
However, one of the three assailants arrived and asked who was Belarmino. When he answered, the assailant struck him with a firearm while his brother-in-law was told to drop the ground.
Two other assailants arrived and brought Belarmino with them, leaving his brother-in-law unharmed.
Belarmino was shot twice, in his chest and leg, and was left at the area, which is 100 meters away from Barangay Kapitan Ramon.
He was brought to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Police recovered from the scene four deformed fired cartridge cases of .45 caliber pistol.
He said they have no lead yet on the motive but some residents said that Belarmino has previous threats.
He was also known to be unruly when he's drunk, Polines said.
In San Carlos City, a Grade 9 male student aged 15 was injured after he was allegedly shot by 22-year-old Jerson Alfonso of Barangay 5 at Barangay Rizal Friday, September 21.
While the victim was riding a motorcycle with his friend, the suspect allegedly chased them, police records showed.
The suspect then fired at him, hitting his left foot. He fled but was arrested in a hospital, where the victim is confined.
Alfonso was at the hospital because his partner was also admitted.
Police said Alfonso probably mistook the victim as the suspect who was involved in a shooting incident victimizing his sibling.
In Murcia town, Jovy Nietes, 60, of Barangay Lopez Jaena was injured after he was reportedly shot by Carpio Lirazan, 60, of Barangay Sta. Rosa last Saturday.
Police eyed land conflict as the motive.
Nietes is confined at Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.