By CESAR JOLITO III

A 39-year-old man was gunned down by two individuals alleged to be members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) at Barangay Tapi in Negros Occidental’s Kabankalan City on Monday afternoon, February 23.

The victim, identified only by the alias “Renante,” was declared dead on arrival at a hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds after the attack in Purok Tuburan at 4:50 p.m.

Police said the personnel responding to a separate stabbing incident nearby heard gunfire coming from the area.

Witnesses told authorities that “Renante” was about to mount his motorcycle when two armed men opened fire.

Police identified the suspects as 30-year-olds alias “R-Jay” and “Makoy” or “Akiro,” both reportedly residents of Barangay Trinidad in Negros Oriental’s Guihulngan City.

Authorities immediately launched a pursuit operation against the armed individuals.

An armed encounter later broke out between troops and the fleeing suspects.

While both suspects managed to escape, military personnel said one of them was believed to have been wounded after bloodstains were found along the escape route, including on a slipper allegedly left behind by one suspect.

Authorities said pursuit and investigation operations remain ongoing as they work to locate and arrest the suspects and determine the motive behind the killing./CJ, WDJ