By CESAR JOLITO III

A 74-year-old woman was shot dead by unidentified armed men in a residential area at Barangay Tapi in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on Tuesday night, February 3.

Kabankalan police said the incident occurred at 7:30 p.m. in Purok Halimbawa.

The victim, a resident of the barangay, sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

Initial investigation revealed that three unidentified armed men arrived at the victim’s residence and approached her husband, asking about his wife’s whereabouts.

One of the suspects reportedly accompanied the husband to the nearby house of the victim’s sister.

Upon arrival, the suspects allegedly instructed him to enter the house.

The victim was then told to go out to the balcony.

Moments later, a gunshot was heard.

The victim was later found lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the head.

The suspects immediately fled the scene.

The victim’s body was brought to a funeral home for post-mortem examination.

Kabankalan police said follow-up operations are ongoing to identify and locate the suspects.

Police are also conducting lateral coordination with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion – Negros Island Region, the 2nd Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Philippine Army units to aid in the investigation./CJ, WDJ