By CESAR JOLITO III

A 45-year-old laborer was shot dead by three unidentified suspects in a remote area of Barangay Camansi in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on Friday evening, October 3.

Police identified the victim as Danny Francisco, a resident of Sitio Lumbia of the said village.

Initial investigation revealed that Francisco’s brother was on his way home when he heard two explosions, which he initially thought were firecrackers.

Moments later, he heard his brother shouting, “Si Noknok palatyon,” referring to him by nickname.

Out of fear, his brother fled into a nearby sugarcane field and heard another gunshot.

A resident later informed him that his brother had been shot by unidentified assailants.

Francisco sustained fatal gunshot wounds and died instantly at the scene.

He was rushed to the Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The city police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive and identify the suspects.

Authorities have yet to determine whether the attack was work-related or connected to a personal grudge.

Police continue to coordinate with residents for any leads that may help in identifying the gunmen./CJ, WDJ