AN INCUMBENT barangay kagawad of Barangay Macagahay, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental was gunned down by two unidentified men near the barangay hall around noontime yesterday.
The Moises Padilla PNP identified the victim as Raul Fat, 50, of the said barangay.
Police Captain Hancel Lumandaz, Moises Padilla police chief, said Fat was at the clinic when two men came near him and asked if a new patient was brought to the clinic.
Then after talking to him, the two men suddenly shot him at close range, and fled on foot, along with their four unidentified companions who served as their lookout, Lumandaz said.
Fat died on the spot due to a gunshot wound on the head.
Recovered from the scene were seven fired bullets of .45 caliber pistol.
Lumandaz said they are still investigating if the incident was insurgency-related, since the victim has no previous threats which could possibly triggered the crime, according to his family.
Lumandaz said they are also checking the background of the victim.
Meanwhile a former barangay official was also shoot and killed yesterday morning along Crossing Barangay Kumaliskis in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto.
Police identified the victim as Nanding Torreno, formerly a barangay councilman of Barangay Kumaliskis and brother of town Councilor Dodoy Torreno.
Based on initial investigation, the victim was traveling in his motorcycle when he was suddenly blocked by a red vehicle.
One of the occupants in the red vehicle then opened fire using a .45 caliber pistol. The former barangay official was instantly killed after sustaining three gunshot wounds, one of which hit his head.
The suspects, immediately fled to the direction of San Carlos City.
The town police immediately alerted their counterparts in San Carlos City, who immediately organized a checkpoint.
A few hours later police intercepted three individuals in a motorcycle carrying a .45 caliber pistol and a hammer.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) director, Police Colonel Romeo Baleros identified the three arrested individuals as 27-year-old Jonever Nuñez; 32-year-old George Larida; and 42-year-old Armando Larida, all residents of Don Salvador Benedicto.
Baleros said the three are only considered as “persons of interest” in the Don Salvador Benedicto murder as they will first undergo paraffin tests, while the recovered firearm, which was owned by Armando, will be subjected to ballistic examinations.
He pointed out the three will be charged for the murder if the slug and empty shell they recovered from the crime scene will match with Armando’s .45 caliber firearm.
Armando, meanwhile, denied the allegations of involvement in the murder claiming he and his three passengers were heading to work in San Carlos City.
He also refused to give further details about the firearm recovered in his possession.
In the meantime, Armando is facing possible charges for illegal possession of firearms, while his two passengers could face conspiracy charges.