1 dead, another hurt in Negros robbery

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental — A farm worker was shot dead while another was wounded when armed men entered a hacienda in Silay City and robbed its overseer Saturday night, police said Sunday.

Police said about eight men armed with handguns entered Hacienda San Diego Dos in barangay E. Lopez and proceeded to the house of Noel Espada, the overseer of the farm owned by Joseph Jison.

Supt. Rosauro Francisco, Silay police chief, said the assailants also fired at farm workers who tried to help Espada, killing Rodolfo Sobritodo, 46, and wounding Erick Cordero, 37.

The armed men took away P25,000, P6,000 worth of gift checks, a digital video camera, N95 cellular phone, PNB passbook, a credit card and checkbook from the house of Espada.

Francisco said the armed men took as hostage the daughter of Espada identified as Jinky Mary, 20, as they were being pursued by farm workers.

The hostage was later released by the gunmen and she returned to their home unharmed Sunday.

Francisco said Jinky Mary told the police that some of the gunmen looked familiar but she could not establish their identities.

Troopers of the 6th Regional Public Safety Battalion and Public Safety Company of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office have joined the Silay police in tracking down the assailants.  /INQUIRER