3 shot dead, 1 wounded in Negros city ambush

BACOLOD CITY – Three men were shot to death while another was wounded in an ambush by unidentified men at Hacienda Villa Lina, Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Sunday, Feb. 20.

Personnel of the Scene of Crime Operatives (Soco) probe the shooting incident where three persons were killed in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office)

Killed were Andre Fajardo, 18, of Barangay 6; Russel Bucao, 40, of Barangay Rizal; and Rudy Dela Fuente, 52, of San Juan Baybay, according to the police.

Wounded was Renante Chui, 27, of Barangay 6.

Police Lt. Ruby Aurita, deputy police chief of San Carlos City Police Station, said the victims were riding a white Mazda sedan when the suspects riddled their vehicle with bullets.

Aurita said the victims were on their way to a cockpit arena when they were attacked.

Fajardo and Bucao were dead on the spot while Dela Fuente was declared dead on arrival at a hospital. Chui is in a stable condition in an undisclosed hospital.

Police recovered from the scene 58 empty shells of 5.56 mm and a fired slug of .45 caliber.

Aurita said the incident happened in a secluded part of the village.

Police are investigating the motive for the crime as well as the identities of the four armed suspects.

However, they do not discount the possibility that it could be insurgency-related, or drug-related, considering that the owner of the vehicle was allegedly a drug personality.

Aurita said they are exploring all possible angles in the incident.