BACOLOD CITY – A retired policeman was shot dead by five armed men in front of a sari-sari store in Barangay Ajong, Sibulan, Negros Oriental, on Saturday.
Police Captain Enreque Asonio, town police chief, identified the fatality as Pat. Rodrigo Soldivillo, 46, who was last detailed at San Jose Municipal Police Station before his retirement.
Asonio, in a media interview, said the victim was sitting on a bench with two other individuals when the assailants on board three separate motorcycles arrived and one of them suddenly shot him several times. The gunmen then fled.
The victim was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead. His companions were left unharmed.
Asonio said they cannot establish yet the motive behind the killing, although they are looking into the possibility that it was triggered by his involvement in cock derby.
He also said that the victim had no reported threats prior to the killing.
Earlier this week, an active police officer was also killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants in San Jose town.
Asonio said they have no lead yet on the identities of the perpetrators, but they are probing the possible link of the two incidents. (Glazyl Masculino)