Police on recent Negros Oriental killings: Only 5 were killed by NPAs

CEBU, Philippines — Just five out of 16 people killed in a spate of violence in Negros Oriental recently were confirmed killed by members of the New People’s Army.

This according to Police Regional Office-7 director, Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas, who held a press conference together with Negros Oriental chiefs of police.

Despite the speculations circulating around the region that all the killings were done by the NPAs, the police laid down all the different motives behind all the murders.

They said they confirmed the NPA was behind the killings of Weny Alegre and Felimon Janayan who were shot in Zamboaguita last July 24, Buenavista Barangay Captain Romeo Alipan who was shot last July 25 in Guihulngan, and Marlon Ocampo and one-year-old Marjun Ocampo who were shot dead in Sta. Catalina on the same day.

Their investigation revealed that the other killings involved land conflicts, specifically the cases of siblings Arthur and Ardale Bayawa who were dead last July 25 and Atty. Anthony Trinidad who was shot last July 23. Trinidad allegedly handled the sibling's case involving a land dispute.

However, another motive that the police are investigating was the alleged mismanagement of the school handled by Arthur, who is a high school principal.

As for the murders of the government officials, police said they are now investigating angles like politics and business. Aside from that, the police confirmed they have a list of persons of interest related to some of the killings, but chose to not disclose it for investigation purposes.

Sinas confirmed that Negros Oriental is not on full alert but on heightened alert, which means intensified patrols in areas where the killings happened.

In answer to speculations that martial law will be declared in Negros, Sinas said the declaration of martial law is not for the PNP to decide.

While the press conference was going in, another shooting incident was reported in Barangay Bukalan, Canlaon City, making it the seventeenth recent killing. The victim was identified as a certain Anaciansano Rosalita, who was shot by an unidentified suspect.

Sinas said people must not jump to any conclusions until the police confirm with their thorough investigation and evidence. (FREEMAN)