Land boundary dispute possible motive in shooting of elderly in Barili, Cebu

A 74-year-old Melchora Bayadog, was shot dead as she was preparing breakfast for her family in Sitio Tagaytay, Barangay Gunting in Barili, Cebu on Tuesday morning, July 5, 2022. | Photo courtesy of Barili PS

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Land boundary dispute may have been the reason for the killing of an elderly who was preparing breakfast for her family in the early morning of Tuesday, July 5, in Sitio Malingin, Barangay Gunting in Barili, Cebu.

Police Major Janus Giangan, chief of Barili Police Station, identified the victim as Melchora Bayadog, 74, a resident of the said barangay.

The suspect, who remains at large, is identified as a certain Joel Saplaag, of legal age, a construction worker, living in the same barangay as the victim.

As of this posting, police are continuing their hot pursuit operation against the suspect, who was identified by the victim’s husband.

LOOK: Elderly shot by neighbor in Barili, Cebu

Quoting information from the victim’s husband, Crescensio, who happens to be the eyewitness to the incident,  it was 4 a.m. when Melchora was shot in her back, resulting to her death. Crescencio told the police that Melchora was preparing breakfast for her family when the suspect arrived, passing at the back of their house.

Melchora and Crescencio reportedly saw Saplaag but he then fired his undetermined caliber of firearm toward the victim.

Melchora was immediately brought to the hospital but she was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The husband believes that land boundary dispute that his wife was recently involved in might have triggered the suspect to commit the crime.

Crescencio was referring to an altercation between his wife and Saplaag that happened past 10 a.m. on July 1, 2022, when the two had a verbal altercation after the victim planted Napier grass which the suspect become furious about.

/bmjo

READ: Elderly couple killed in dawn shooting in Sibonga, Cebu