Farmer shot dead; construction worker killed

CEBU, Philippines — A farmer was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Dalaguete town while a construction worker was stabbed dead also by an unknown attacker in Pinamungajan town over the weekend.

In the first incident, farmer Juanito Rabutin Estorco, 31, did not make it alive to the hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds in his body.

He was at the farm he was tilling in Ablayan, a mountain barangay of the town.

According to Police Corporal Rex Telonio, desk officer of Dalaguete Police Station, police received the shooting alarm at 10 p.m. Friday, one hour after the incident happened, due to the lack of network access to the area.

Estorco was allegedly a native of Jimalalud town, Negros Oriental.

Telonio said that Estorco suffered gunshot wounds to his left eye and forehead which resulted to his instantaneous death.

“He was shot twice. He was killed right there and then,” said Telonio, adding that the firearm used in the murder had not yet been identified as no empty shells were found at the crime scene.

Police are still investigating to determine the motive behind the killing, considering that Estorco did not have prior criminal records. They are, however, not discounting the possibility that this could be a case of personal grudge.

Police will also look at the angle of property row considering that Estorco owns lands.

Telonio said that even if Ablayan is a mountainous area, the police mobile patrol regularly visits the place during rovings.

STABBED DEAD

Meanwhile, a certain Nelson Paner Tausa, 32, a construction worker, was killed in a case of stabbing in Sitio Kabulihan, Barangay Anislag, Pinamungajan town on Saturday evening, police said.

Police said the identity of Tausa’s assailant remained subject of investigation. Tausa suffered multiple stab wounds in his body.

Based on witness accounts, the victim, a native of San Fernando town, allegedly had a disagreement with someone over an unknown cause. But it was unclear who actually killed him.

The place where Tausa was stabbed was only some 10 meters from the barangay hall. (FREEMAN)