By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A small town lottery (STL) bet collector was killed after being shot by unidentified gunmen at Hacienda Bagakay, Barangay Bagtic, Silay City, late Sunday evening.

Police identified the fatality as 30-year-old Jason Latido, a resident of the said barangay.

In a radio interview with Radyo Bandera Sweet FM-Bacolod, Barangay Bagtic Kagawad Ramsel Dela Cruz said he was conducting a meeting with barangay tanods when Latido, aboard a motorcycle, stopped outside and requested an ambulance, claiming he was shot.

Dela Cruz said they rushed the victim to the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, where he later succumbed to eight gunshot wounds while receiving treatment.

Eyewitness accounts claimed they saw Latido being chased down by two motorcycle-riding gunmen, who opened fire multiple times while speeding by the barangay.

They also claimed there are three other suspects wearing bonnets spotted along the side of the road before the incident occurred.

Silay City police are now investigating the incident./DGB, WDJ