A 74-year-old woman was gunned down in Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Feb. 3. (Photo via K5 News FM Kabankalan)
BACOLOD CITY – A 74-year-old woman was shot dead by unidentified armed men in Purok Halimbawa, Barangay Tapi, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Police identified the victim as Leonor, the owner of a house where seven New People’s Army (NPA) rebels reportedly stayed and killed in series of encounters with soldiers in April 2025.
Investigation said three armed men approached the victim’s husband and inquired about his wife’s whereabouts. He accompanied the suspects to the house of the victim’s sister.
The suspects told him to go inside and introduced themselves as NPA while the victim was instructed to go to the balcony.
A gunshot followed and the victim was found lying on the ground with a bullet wound in the head.
Recovered from the crime scene was a fired 9mm bullet.
The Army 15th Infantry Battalion condemned the killing and condoled with the victim’s family.
They called on the public to remain calm, refrain from speculation, and support authorities by providing any information that may help in the ongoing investigation.
Police are conducting follow-up investigation.