By Judy Flores Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY – A 28-year-old security guard was shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants in Valencia, Negros Oriental, early Thursday, as police intensified security measures for the 2026 Buglasan Festival, which opens here late afternoon.
Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) and chief of the Tourist Police Unit, said the shooting was not related to the provincial festival.
He said the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters denied Governor Manuel Sagarbarria’s request for a gun ban throughout the festival, citing the absence of shooting incidents directly linked to the event in previous years.
“Instead, the PNP directed the NOrPPO to strictly implement the Major Events Security Framework (MESF) to strengthen security, crowd control, and emergency response during the celebration,” Polinar said.
Initial police investigation showed that the victim, a resident of Barangay Candau-ay in Dumaguete City, was riding his motorcycle to work when two suspects aboard another motorcycle shot him several times at about 8 a.m. in Purok Manga, Barangay Palinpinon, Valencia.
The suspects allegedly followed the victim aboard a Duke motorcycle and fled in the opposite direction after shooting him.
The victim was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Police are reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, while the PNP Crime Laboratory is examining fired and unfired cartridges recovered from the scene to determine the firearm’s caliber.
Investigators will also seek assistance from the PNP Highway Patrol Group and the Land Transportation Office to identify the registered owner of the motorcycle used by the suspects.
Polinar said the motive for the killing remains undetermined. (PNA)
