Farmer shot dead in Davao del Sur town

KIBLAWAN, Davao del Sur — A farmer was shot dead by still unidentified men in Purok 7, Barangay Latian, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, on Sunday.

The victim was identified as Arkie Pasay Baric, 43, a resident of Sitio Lawayan, Barangay Kisulan.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim left his residence around 1:00 a.m. early on Sunday to fetch charcoal for personal household use. However, his wife, Rosita, 48, said he hasn’t returned home by 6 p.m.

Senior Supt. Allan Manibog, police provincial director on Monday, said the wife sought the help of a neighbor, Vicente Nacional Sabejon, 57,  who said he heard three explosions from a distance earlier that that night.

Sabejon said, however, that he thought it was only firecrackers. The two set out to find the victim and later found him dead.

Manibog said the victim sustained four gunshot wounds in different parts of the body. Authorities recovered from the crime scene three empty shells of 9mm caliber pistol, which will be submitted to the PNP Crime Laboratory for ballistic examination.

Authorities said the motive for the crime may be related to a family land dispute. Baric’s remains now lie in state at the Collado Funeral Homes in Barangay Poblacion.

Investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspects. /ee