Policemen and court sheriffs about to serve a writ of execution to 60 families squatting on property owned by a lawyer, were fired upon by unidentified armed persons in Sitio Huebesan, Brgy. Villacin, Cadiz City, yesterday.

Fortunately, nobody was injured among the three Sagay and Cadiz City policemen and court sheriffs Balbino Germinal and William Añonuevo who were on board a cargo truck, the police said.

Negros Occidental police director Charles Calima yesterday said the two court sheriffs, escorted by PO3 Jessie Morin, PO3 Raul Burton, of the Cadiz police, and PO1 Miranda, were on their way to serve the writ of squatters on the property of lawyer Marcelo Briones in the boundary of Brgy. Villacin in Cadiz, and Brgy. Puey, Sagay City.

Police investigations show that about 10 armed men opened fire at the truck with the policemen and sheriffs.

Sagay police chief William Señoron yesterday said sporadic shots were fired while the truck was approaching the so-called "killing zone" in Sitio Huebesan, followed by a burst of gunfire.

However, the motorcycle of a worker of Briones who served as guide to the policemen and court sheriffs, was destroyed by the armed men, Señoron added

Señoron said he believes the shots were not meant to kill the group, but just to scare or harass them. However, the police noted a bullet hole on the right side of the truck.

His assessment was also shared by Col. Jerry Jalandoni, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, who said the incident was a plain and simple police matter.

Supt. Norberto Boston said three writs of execution have been issued to the 60 families, which reportedly covers almost 500 hectares at the boundary of Sagay and Cadiz cities.

Señoron said two of the suspects were identified to be residents of the place, and among the families to be evicted from the area.*GPB

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