Negros town mayor offers P400,000 reward for info on hitman


LEONARDO Espinosa lies on the road after he was killed in Barangay 1, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental last June 4. (Photo courtesy of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Nadie Arceo of Hinigaran, Negros Occidental has offered a cash reward of P400,000 to anyone who can give information that would lead to the arrest of a gunman who killed the brother of his former bodyguard early this month.

Arceo said Wednesday, June 29, the cash reward will come from his own pocket as he wanted to give immediate justice to the victim and his family.

The victim, Leonardo Espinosa of Barangay 1, Hinigaran, was shot dead June 4 by an unidentified man on a motorcycle in Barangay 1. His lone passenger was unharmed but three bystanders were wounded by stray bullets.

Police said they are looking into grudges as possible motive behind the killing since Espinosa's family was previously involved in a misunderstanding with another family.

Arceo said the cash reward will encourage the public who may have witnessed the incident to surface and help the police in the investigation.

However, as of Thursday, June 30, Arceo said he has not received any call or text from anyone regarding the incident despite the reward.

Despite the incident, Arceo noted that Hinigaran is still generally peaceful.