BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental — Two men were killed in separate shooting incidents in Negros Occidental on Sunday, August 23, with the attacks occurring just hours apart in the towns of Calatrava and Manapla.
Police are investigating the two killings separately and have not established any connection between them. Motives also remain unclear as authorities continue efforts to identify and apprehend the gunmen.
The first shooting happened at around 9:45 a.m. in Sitio Panggiasgiasan, Barangay Lalong, Calatrava.
The victim, identified by police only as alias “Jundy,” 50, was reportedly on his way to Barangay Bago to attend market day when three unidentified men allegedly approached him and opened fire.
Jundy sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. His remains were later brought to the Calatrava Municipal Hospital for medico-legal examination.
A subsequent report from Digicast Negros said Jundy’s wife witnessed the attackers approaching him shortly before the shooting. Police later said they had identified a person of interest, but the individual’s identity was being withheld while investigators conducted follow-up operations and interviewed witnesses.
The investigation has also been complicated by the area’s mountainous terrain and limited accessibility, prompting police to coordinate with barangay officials and community trackers in their efforts to locate those responsible.
Second shooting hits Manapla
About two hours later, another fatal shooting was reported in Barangay I-A, Manapla.
The victim, identified by police as alias “Mau,” 57, was reportedly driving home when an unidentified gunman opened fire near the rear portion of a convenience store.
According to police, the suspect was wearing pants, a black jacket and a bonnet and used a firearm of undetermined caliber.
Despite suffering gunshot wounds to the head and neck, Mau was reportedly able to accelerate his vehicle and drive roughly 30 meters before turning and eventually stopping in the middle of the road.
Responders rushed him to Dr. Ramon B. Gustilo Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Police recovered five fired cartridge cases and a deformed fired bullet from the area.
A separate report by Tempo identified the Manapla victim as a 57-year-old former overseas Filipino worker and piggery owner. The report said he was inside his vehicle with his wife during a fiesta when an unidentified gunman fired at the driver’s side. His wife was unharmed. Investigators were also looking into a possible personal motive, although no motive had been officially established.
Police: No established connection
Despite the shootings occurring only a few hours apart, authorities have not said that the cases are related.
Police continue to investigate both incidents independently, while the suspects remain at large. Authorities have yet to publicly establish the motives behind either killing.
The latest development in the Calatrava case is the identification of a person of interest, but police have cautioned that the investigation remains ongoing and have not released further details.
The back-to-back killings add to a series of shooting cases recently reported in Negros Occidental. Earlier this month, another man was shot dead in San Carlos City, where police recovered cartridge cases and a sachet containing suspected shabu, although authorities said they had not established whether the suspected drugs were connected to the killing.
For now, investigators are working to determine who carried out the two August 23 shootings, why the victims were targeted, and whether any additional evidence could lead police to the perpetrators.
This is a developing story. Further details may be released as police investigations continue.
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