VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON — A 65-year-old businessman was shot dead by an unidentified gunman while asleep inside his home around 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in Purok 1-A, Barangay Batangan, Valencia City.
The victim was identified as Intelegando “Nery” Niere y Balase, a resident of the said barangay, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head that caused his instantaneous death.
According to Valencia City Police Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Panganiban, investigators are looking into a land dispute as the possible motive for the killing, based on the statements of the victim’s wife.
The wife, Ninian Balase, revealed that her husband had previously received death threats following a confrontation over a disputed property. She added that she could not recognize the suspect’s face due to the darkness during the incident.
Initial police investigation disclosed that the suspect entered the victim’s home while he was asleep and shot him with an undetermined caliber of firearm. The gunman immediately fled in an unknown direction after the attack.
Authorities are now conducting a hot pursuit operation to track down and arrest the suspect. The police have also intensified their investigation to determine the full circumstances and motive behind the brutal attack.