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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Bacolod cops rule out ambush in couple's murder

Bacolod cops rule out ambush in couple's murder

Published Mar 14, 2025 05:58 am

BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office has ruled out ambush in the death of a couple in Bangga Tomaro, Barangay Sum-ag here last week after one of the victims tested positive for gunpowder residue in a paraffin test.

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/8/woman-shot-dead-live-in-partner-wounded-inside-vehicle

Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod police director, said on Wednesday that 53-year-old Federico Gayagas Jr., a former Barangay Bacong, Bago City, Negros Occidental captain, tested positive for gunpowder residue.

On the other hand, Gayagas’ 40-year-old live-in partner, Carmelita Davilla, a resident of Barangay Sum-ag and a fish vendor, tested negative.

BACOLOD COPS.jpg

CORONICA (left) and Ofalia (right). (Photo via Bacolod City Police Office)

Police Major Andy Ofalia, head of Police Station 9, said that the position of bullet holes in the couple’s pickup truck suggested a struggle, likely during an argument on the night of March 7.

Ofalia said that the couple may have struggled over a firearm, with Davilla being shot first and Gayagas possibly turning the gun on himself afterwards.

Police suspect Gayagas may have shot himself in the head after shooting Davilla after a bullet hole was found in the driver’s side window.

Ofalia said autopsy showed that Davilla sustained eight bullet wounds. Gayagas’s family declined an autopsy for him.

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2025/3/9/woman-s-live-in-partner-also-dies-after-shooting

Davilla’s family told police that the couple had frequent arguments and she decided to end their relationship before the incident.

Investigation showed that spent shells found at the crime scene and the bullets recovered from Davilla’s body matched Gayagas’ licensed 9mm firearm.

Coronica said that they tried to cross-match the markings on a recovered M16 firearm with the forensics unit but could only make out two digits from the serial number. Police are also investigating a grenade launcher found at the scene.

He assured the public that police remain committed to maintaining peace and order in the city following the incident.

Related Tags

Shooting incident Bacolod City Deaths Murder
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