Police are investigating an alleged love triangle as the possible motive in the killing of a barangay captain in La Libertad, Negros Oriental, following the arrest of the suspect in Bacolod City on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO) Acting Director Col. Jonathan Abella said investigators are looking into a personal grudge involving the victim, Brgy. Kansumandig Captain Dennis Jimpayan, 40, and the suspect, Gilbert Bellena, 32.
Abella said initial information indicated that the two men may have been involved with the same woman, who was reportedly Jimpayan’s live-in partner.
He said investigators have obtained information from the woman, who remained at the investigation office for further questioning.
Abella said police have found no indication that the killing was election-related and are pursuing the alleged personal dispute as the possible motive.
Bellena was arrested at around 5:13 p.m. on Sept. 26 at his workplace in Hacienda Hermilinda, Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City, where he was employed as a construction worker.
The arrest was carried out through a joint operation involving NORPPO, the Regional Intelligence Unit and the Bacolod City Police Office.
Abella said Bellena was not identified as a gun-for-hire.
Jimpayan was shot dead at around 5:20 a.m. on Sept. 23 in Sitio Nabilog, Brgy. Kansumandig, while he was on his way home, according to police.
An eyewitness identified Bellena as the alleged gunman during the investigation.
Following his arrest, Bellena was brought to the La Libertad Municipal Police Station for booking and documentation.
Abella said police would file a murder complaint against the suspect and considered the case closed following his arrest.
The alleged motive and Bellena’s criminal liability remain subject to further investigation and court proceedings.*
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