ZAMBOANGA CITY — A 55-year-old farm caretaker was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in the early hours of Sunday, September 27, in Sitio Baluno, Barangay Bungiao, Zamboanga City, according to the initial police investigation.
The victim was identified as Arnold Santos Oliverio, a married man and resident of Berano, Barangay Dulian.
Police said the shooting was discovered at around 5:00 a.m., when Oliverio’s wife heard a gunshot while they were inside their house. At the time, Oliverio was reportedly sleeping in a separate nipa hut near their farm.
Alarmed by the gunfire, his wife immediately went to the nipa hut to check on him. She found Oliverio already lifeless and lying outside the structure, with apparent gunshot wounds.
The victim’s wife sought assistance from their child and subsequently reported the incident to Barangay Kagawad Arnel Pedro, who coordinated with authorities.
Personnel of the Zamboanga City Police Station 3 (ZCPS3) responded to the area at around 7:00 a.m. to secure the crime scene and conduct an initial investigation.
The responding police team was led by Police Captain Paul P. Ramayrat, officer-in-charge of ZCPS3. Investigators documented the scene and began gathering information that could help establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.
According to the victim’s relatives, Oliverio was not known to have any enemies. They also described him as a man without known vices who generally spent his time working and tending to the farm.
Despite the absence of an immediately identified motive, police are pursuing several investigative leads to determine what happened before the shooting and why Oliverio was targeted.
The identity of the gunman remains unknown as of the latest information available. Authorities are also working to establish the direction from which the assailant came, the circumstances leading to the shooting, and whether other individuals may have witnessed or have information about the incident.
The investigation is being led by Police Corporal Felix Edison Cayabyab, investigator-on-case.
Police urged anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in Sitio Baluno around the time of the shooting or who may have information that could help identify the suspect to coordinate with the authorities.
The case remains under investigation, and the police have yet to announce a confirmed motive or identify a suspect in connection with the killing.