By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A man who is under probation for a drug offense was shot dead by four gunmen in Bacolod City’s Barangay Granada late Friday night, February 17.

Harold John Suarez, 37 years old, a resident of Hermelinda Subdivision in the city’s Barangay Mansilingan, was declared dead on a spot in front of a sari-sari store in Charito Heights Subdivision.

Police Captain Francis Depasucat, Station 5 commander, said, based on witness statements, Suarez was having a drink while he was on his motorcycle when the four gunmen, identified as Matt John Espoli, Rodzel Gonzales Espoli, Mark Torres, and a fourth person only identified by his alias as “Kalbo,” shot him three times.

They boarded a sports utility vehicle and sped away in an undetermined direction.

In another statement given by the victim’s live-in partner, she confirmed to police that Suarez was previously jailed for an illegal drug offense, but was later released and placed on probation.

However, police believe that the motive of the shooting incident may be related to past grudges.

Police are still investigating the murder./DGB, WDJ