By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A man was hospitalized on Friday night, June 24, after surviving an attempt on his life at Purok Katilingban in Bacolod City’s Barangay Vista Alegre, the 12th shooting incident for the month of June.

Police identified the victim as Ronilo Dela Cruz, a resident of the said place.

Based on information given by the victim to police, he had just returned home from a birthday party when three unidentified men pointed a gun at him as he was trying to enter his house.

The gunmen then shot Dela Cruz causing him to fall to the ground, before fleeing away on foot.

Dela Cruz sustained a gunshot wound on his hand.

The victim also denied that he had any involvement in any illicit activities or any past conflicts with anyone.

He was also not able to positively identify the gunmen, pointing out that it was dark and he was drunk at the time of the incident.

Police are currently investigating the incident.

Earlier on late Thursday night, June 23, a 14-year-old boy was shot to death at Abada Escay, Barangay Vista Alegre – the 11th shooting incident in the city and the second teen to be killed in just one week.

Police have requested not to identify the victim, although they affirmed that he was a resident of the said village.

Police Station 7 commander Captain Elmer Bonilla said there were five unidentified bonnet-wearing men riding in a white van who arrived in the area at around 10:30 p.m.

Upon seeing the gunmen, the victim tried to run away but the suspects opened fire at him killing him on the spot, Bonilla said.

The suspects immediately boarded the white van and sped away.

Police recovered 12 empty shells of a.45 caliber pistol and an empty shell of a still unidentified type of assault rifle at the crime scene.

Bonilla said they are looking into several angles in the incident including mistaken identity.

It was also discovered that the victim has a relative involved in illegal drugs and was charged with murder, who was recently released from jail./DGB, WDJ