MANILA, Philippines — At least four cases in the wave of killings in Negros Oriental last month have been solved, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde said yesterday.
Albayalde did not give details, saying the cases were referred to the prosecutor’s office in Dumaguete City.
“Manhunt operations are ongoing to arrest seven other identified suspects,” he said.
Twenty-one people were shot dead in Negros Oriental from July 18 to 28. Among the victims are lawyer Anthony Trinidad, professor Ardale Bayawa, former Ayungon town mayor Edsel Enardecido, Canlaon City Councilor Ramon Jalandoni and village chief Ernesto Posadas.
Four police officers were allegedly tortured before they were killed by New People’s Army rebels.
Albayalde said the Central Visayas police created special task groups to supervise and monitor the investigations.
The PNP had earlier deployed 300 Special Action Force commandos to augment local police units in anti-criminality and internal security operations in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.