A watchman of an under-construction bridge in Batuan was shot dead by a still unidentified suspect believed to be a hitman at past 7 a.m. on Sunday, police said.
According to Batuan police investigator PO3 Daryl Yecyec, victim Jesus Bajog, 42, of Barangay Rizal of said town was gunned down inside a compound for construction workers in front of several witnesses.
Prior to the shooting, three men were looking for Bajog inside the small compound.
The gunman then approached Bajog from behind and shot him multiple times immediately after they spotted him.
“Wa moy labot ani, naningil ra ko ug utang,” one of the suspects reportedly told multiple witnesses inside the compound.
The suspects boarded a motorcycle and fled towards Catigbian after the incident, Yecyec said.
Bajog was still rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
He succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in his cheek, neck and rib area, police said.
Meanwhile, police have yet to get the identities of the suspects, but have started to coordinate with people who saw the incident.
The witnesses told authorities that the gunman had slightly curly hair, was sporting a black jacket and facial hair and was “innocent-looking.”
Police noted that the shooter may have been a hitman due to his boldness to enter the compound and immediately shoot the victim dead without hesitation. (Allen Doydora)