By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) now has several “persons of interest” in the murder of a village tanod along 13th Lacson Street in the city’s Barangay 7 last Friday, October 22.

BCPO director, Police Colonel Thomas Martir, said they have already checked the close circuit television (CCTV) cameras near the crime scene where the 42-year-old Michael Hugo was shot dead.

Hugo, who also works as a tricycle driver when off-duty, was believed to have been shot by one of the passengers based on the investigation carried out by Police Station 2.

The two passengers, a male and a female, boarded Hugo’s tricycle in the city’s Barangay Banago.

The suspects then boarded a waiting motorcycle, which later turned out to have tailed them since they were in Barangay Banago.

Barangay 2 captain Emelda Banguanga, meanwhile, described Hugo as a hard working individual.

According to Banguanga, Hugo is active in their barangay and always appears during their activities or if his presence is required. He also served summons.

Banguanga also revealed that aside from being a tricycle driver, Hugo was also a crab fisherman and had previously been given a small boat in order to supplement his livelihood.

The village official further stated that it was strange that Hugo decided to work as a tricycle driver so early on Friday, as he usually goes out to fish first before driving his tricycle./DGB, WDJ