By JEN BAYLON

A land dispute is seen as a possible motive behind the brutal killing of three family members at Barangay Buenavista in Negros Occidental’s Murcia town on Thursday night, May 1.

“The family owns property, and we are looking into possible motives for the killings,” Murcia police chief Major Sherwin Fernandez said.

The municipal police are currently investigating the deaths of 59-year-old Nelde Celayes; his wife, 60-year-old Josephine; and their son, 33-year-old Jovi, who were allegedly shot by two unidentified persons in their house in Sitio Guinam-an around 7:00 p.m.

They sustained bullet wounds on their bodies, police said.

The victims were found at past 5:00 a.m. yesterday by their relative who arrived to fetch water from a well.

Josephine’s body was found in front of the terrace of their house, while Nelde was discovered in their yard, more than 10 meters away from his wife.

Jovi’s body was recovered outside the house, more than 20 meters from her father’s remains.

Recovered from the scene were fired .45 caliber bullets and a .38 caliber revolver.

According to police inquiries, no household items or livestock belonging to the Celayes family were reported missing, ruling out robbery as a motive.

The police continue their investigation into the incident./JB, WDJ