Farmer shot over coconut dispute in Laguna

KALAYAAN, Laguna — A farmer was wounded after allegedly being shot during a heated argument over a coconut product in a mountainous community in Barangay San Antonio on Saturday evening, 10 October.

According to the Kalayaan Municipal Police Station, the shooting occurred at approximately 7 p.m. in Sitio Dahican, following a confrontation between the victim and another resident.

Initial investigation, based on the victim's statement, showed that the argument escalated when the suspect allegedly drew an unidentified firearm and shot the farmer in the left abdominal area.

The suspect fled barefoot toward the mountainous portion of Sitio Dahican immediately after the shooting.

The victim, identified by police only as “Rey,” sought assistance and was transported by a barangay rescue ambulance to Gen. Cailles District Hospital in nearby Pakil for emergency medical treatment.

Police learned of the incident at approximately 9:45 p.m. after receiving a telephone call from hospital personnel.

Investigators subsequently proceeded to the hospital to verify the report and establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The suspect, identified by the alias “Boy Nario,” remained at large as of the police report.

Kalayaan police launched hot-pursuit and dragnet operations in the mountainous area where the suspect was last seen.

Further investigation and efforts to locate the suspect are continuing.