BACOLOD CITY -- A former Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) leader was shot dead by a lone gunman on Osmena Ave., Barangay 5, Victorias City, Negros Occidental Wednesday, July 13.
Killed was Roldan Berito, 40, of Barangay Purisima, Manapla, Negros Occidental.
Police Lt. Genus David, police community relations officer of the Victorias City Police Station, said Berito was standing in the area to buy a cigarette when the unidentified gunman approached and shot him at close range.
The gunman fled on board a motorcycle driven by an unidentified accomplice, David added.
Berito succumbed to a lone bullet wound in the head.
Police recovered from the crime scene a fired deformed slug and a fired cartridge case of a . 45 caliber pistol.
David said they are looking into grudges or personal conflict as possible motives in the incident. “Nagkaroon ng conflict sa group, umalis siya last year (They had a conflict within the group so he left last year)."
Police already have a person of interest in the incident.
David said Berito was arrested in April 2021 after police raided his house in Manapla for illegal firearms and ammunition and illegal drugs. He was released later that year after posting bail.
David said that Berito was also a former member of the Manapla Rapid Police Auxiliary or a force multiplier.