By CESAR JOLITO III

Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old man outside his home at Barangay Dian-ay in Negros Occidental’s Escalante City after the New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility for the killing.

The victim, a resident of Sitio Lumanab in the village, was found lifeless at 9:55 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, outside his residence.

Initial findings showed he sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of the body.

The victim was declared dead on the spot.

Investigators recovered eight fired cartridge cases at the scene, believed to have been discharged from a .45 caliber firearm.

While police initially said the assailants were unidentified, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command of the NPA released a statement claiming responsibility for the killing.

The group identified the victim as “Bigboy Ferrer” and alleged he was part of a gun-for-hire group and an intelligence asset of the Philippine Army.

The NPA further accused him of involvement in multiple killings, livestock theft and intimidation of residents./CJ, WDJ