BACOLOD CITY – A 32-year-old barangay tanod or watchman was killed and his 12-year-old relative was wounded in a gun attack in Sitio Buyoron, Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Friday, June 7.

A 12-year-old boy was wounded in a gun attack that killed his relative in Barangay Buenavista, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental on Friday, June 7. (Photo courtesy of Himamaylan City Police Station)
Police identified the fatality as Rogelio Ariola of Barangay Mahalang.
Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, Himamaylan police chief, said that Ariola was on board a bulldozer with the minor when two unidentified persons appeared and fired at them.
The minor was able to jump off but he was hit in the right arm.
The gunmen shot Ariola again and fled. He succumbed to multiple bullet wounds.
Recovered from the scene were some empty shells of an AK47 firearm.
Grande said the watchman was tasked to oversee a road project in Barangay Buenavista.
He said the child sustained minor injuries and has been discharged from the hospital.
Grande said that Ariola had a previous case but he did not elaborate as he lacked details on the matter.
Police are looking into grudges as possible motive in the incident and are not discounting the possibility that it could be insurgency related since the area was identified as rebel-influenced.