Officials concerned with the optics of the situation
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Several Negros Occidental politicians have expressed shock over last Thursday’s murders of Moises Padilla Municipal Councilor Michael Garcia and Mark Garcia including Negros Occidental fifth district Rep. Alejandro Mirasol, who was reportedly attending a caucus in Binalbagan when he learned of the attack.
Mirasol said he was shocked upon hearing the news and he is urging the Philippine National Police (PNP) to “fast track” their ongoing investigation in order to identify and arrest the assailants.
The congressman said Moises Padilla is “becoming more violent as election day gets nearer,” noting, “Candidates are not guaranteed [safety] whenever they campaign.”
He added, the recent violence is giving the town a bad image and called on police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to double security efforts in the locality.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is saddened by the incident and wondered if the ambush would have taken place had the town been placed under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control. Earlier this month, following the murder of Moises Padilla Municipal Councilor Jolomar Hilario, along with prior clashes between government forces and the New People’s Army, Lacson made the suggestion regarding Comelec control.
The vice governor also said he hopes the incidents are not creating a negative image of the province and reiterated the call for authorities to ensure peace and order.
Last Thursday, Moises Padilla Vice Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo was campaigning with a convoy in the town’s Barangay Inolingan when they were ambushed by 20 unidentified armed men.
While it is currently undetermined if the vice mayor was the target, the Garcias are pointing blame at Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno Peña.
Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and former Negros Occidental fourth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer are offering a P1 million bounty for information pertaining to the suspects.
The slain town councilor is the third local official murdered in recent days after Hilario and Escalante City Councilor Bernardino Patigas./DGB, WDJ