Authorities believe that the deaths of two individuals in Negros Occidental cities of Talisay and La Carlota on Thursday morning, October 3, are related.

La Carlota police chief Colonel Lymel Pasquin said the deaths of truck driver Armando Sepocado, Jr. and laborer Marjun Mandala are connected because they both worked for the same construction company.

Sepocado, 39 years old, a resident of Sagay City, was found dead inside a 10-wheeler truck at Hacienda Masulog in La Carlota City’s Barangay Haguimit at 7:55 a.m.

A few hours later, the remains of 36-year-old Marjun Mandala, a resident of Barangay Old Sagay, were recovered at Hacienda Santa Maria in Talisay City’s Barangay Zone 15.

Sepocado sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his head, Pasquin said.

The victim also sustained injuries to his head and left thigh.

Recovered from the crime scene were one slug of ammunition, three empty shells of a caliber .45 pistol, one sachet containing suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia, he said.

The area where Sepocado was found dead is considered isolated, the police chief added.

Pasquin said they have yet to determine whether Mandala was killed at the crime scene.

Some residents heard gunshots, but they did not pay attention, police said.

According to the initial police information, Sepocado and Mandala were returning from their warehouse in Bacolod City’s Barangay Villamonte last Wednesday, October 2, around 8:00 p.m.

Pasquin said the victims were about to travel to Iloilo, Caticlan and Manila to pick up construction supplies.

They believe that the motive of the crime may be robbery because the victims brought money amounting to P73,000, allocated for boat fare, food and toll fee.

No money was recovered from the crime scene, police said.

Authorities are still investigating the incident./WDJ