A 71-year-old farmer was shot dead by a tanod in barangay Cabitoonan, Toledo City, southwest Cebu.
Police said a land dispute is being looked into as a possible motive in the killing of Eladio Saga.
The suspect was identified as Fredo Candol, who remains at large.
Police said it was possible that Candol was a hired gun.
Police said the Sagas are claiming ownerhsip of a 2.4-hectare lot in sitio Katera which is also being claimed by Cabitoonan barangay captain Ofelio Doleno.
According to Eladio’s wife, Salvacion, Candol went to their house at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and told them that there were people cutting bamboo on the disputed lot about 500 meters from their house.
Salvacion said her husband left the house to check.
The wife said she heard bursts of gunfire about 30 minutes after her husband left.
Salvacion said she hurriedly went to the bamboo field and met Candol along the way.
The wife said Candol told her “Patay na imong bana. Akong gipatay, ayaw pag-apil-apil.” (Your husband is already dead. I killed him. Don’t meddle.)
The woman later found her husband slumped on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds in the body, said Supt. Julian Entoma, chief of the Toledo City police.
Police said Candol was last seen around 5 p.m. in sitio Dakit, barangay Hawihaw.
Entoma said no witnesses came forward to describe what happened.
Police said a loaded .357 revolver was found tucked in Eladio’s waistline but Salvacion said her husband didn’t own a gun.
Police said it was possible that the gun was just planted.
Seven empty shells of a .45 caliber gun were found in the crime scene.
Police said Candol was previously convicted for a homicide case.
Frustrated homicide complaints were filed against Candol 2002 and in 2009 but they were amicably settled.