MULTIPLE charges were filed on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, before the San Carlos City Prosecutor’s Office against the two suspects who attempted to kill a member of the Philippine Army on February 17 in Sitio Takas, Barangay Palampas, San Can Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
Captain Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said Wednesday, February 19, that the investigators of San Carlos City Police Station charged Jobert Gimarangan Salazar, alias “Jojo,” 31, of Barangay San Benito, Calatrava, and Alfie Sayo Raganas alias “Dondon,” 42, of Barangay Suba, Calatrava, for frustrated murder, violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, RA 7166, the election gun ban, and RA 10591 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
San Carlos City Police Station records showed the two suspects tried to kill Sergeant Alfort Servidad Tito, 40, a member of the 79th Infantry Battalion, and resident of Barangay Bato, Sagay City, Negros Occidental.
Investigation showed the victim was driving his motorcycle toward San Carlos City at 12:10 p.m. when upon reaching Sitio Takas in Barangay Palampas, the two suspects fired at him several times using unidentified firearms. The suspects then fled using a motorcycle.
The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was brought to the San Carlos City Hospital, and later transferred to a hospital in Bacolod City.
Catalogo said the San Carlos City Police Station conducted a hot pursuit operation that led to the arrest of the suspects in San Carlos City.
Police recovered from the suspects’ possession three pieces of caliber .45 pistol’s empty shell, one fired bullet, a caliber .45 pistol, four pieces of caliber .45 magazine, 24 pieces of caliber .45 live ammunition, a caliber .45 holster, a sling bag, grenade, KG 9mm pistol, motorcycle, and helmet.
The police also recovered 15 sachets of shabu weighing 162.67 grams with estimated market value of P1,106,156, and two grams of marijuana with estimated market value of P370.50.
The police are eyeing personal grudge as possible motive for the shooting of the victim.
Catalogo said they are still conducting a thorough investigation to determine the background of the suspects.
He said the victim is now on stable condition. (MAP)