Special Task Force Formed to Investigate American, Wife Murder in Dumaguete

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Negros Oriental police has activated a special investigation task group to probe the murder of an American national and his Filipina wife in Dumaguete City. The task group will identify and launch a manhunt for the killers, who barged into the house of the victims in Barangay Bajumpandan on Tuesday. The victims bore gunshot wounds. They were found by their helper on Wednesday morning. The couple’s belongings including jewelry, watches, cash, laptop and passports were missing, police said. Probers recovered several bullet shells for a still unidentified firearm at the crime scene. Negros Oriental police director Col. Jonathan Abella said probers have a person of interest in the case, but declined to provide details so as not to compromise police operations. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of foreign nationals and their families residing in the Philippines, particularly in tourist destinations and provincial cities where crime rates can pose a challenge to law enforcement.