By CESAR JOLITO III

The investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman outside the Negros Occidental District Jail in Bago City’s Barangay Tabunan is facing setbacks after authorities confirmed that the closed circuit television (CCTV) system covering the area was already not functioning at the time of the incident on Saturday, June 6.

The victim was identified as 41-year-old Ma. Lowela Foster, a resident of Manapla town’s Barangay 2.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) said the CCTV system intended to monitor the jail perimeter was already down prior to the shooting incident.

Officials said a request for replacement had been made earlier due to the equipment’s condition.

Despite the malfunction, jail authorities said they are now reviewing other operational CCTV cameras in the area that may have captured relevant movements and could help in the ongoing police investigation.

BJMP-NIR spokesperson Juniven Umadhay said the agency is coordinating closely with the police and is sharing all available information, including details of the victim’s visit and activities before the shooting.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting as they work to identify the suspects and establish the motive behind the attack./CCJ, WDJ