By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Five individuals were reported dead following violence in Negros Oriental over the weekend. Among the fatalities include a Canlaon City councilor and barangay captain, along with a former Ayungon mayor.
According to authorities, after separate incidents in Canlaon City, Ayungon, and Siaton, police identified the fatalities as Canlaon City Councilor Ramon Jalandoni and Barangay Panubigan Captain Ernesto Posadas, former Ayungon mayor Edsel Enardecido and his cousin Leo Enardecido, and Siaton resident Fedirico Sabejon.
Based on information provided by the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), armed men, believed to be members of the New People’s Army (NPA), attacked and killed Jalandoni in his home early Saturday morning. The assailants then visited Posadas’ home and killed him on the spot.
The suspected insurgents also reportedly left behind graffiti that read “Mabuhay ang NPA,” or “Long live the NPA,” before withdrawing from the area.
The suspects then reportedly traveled to Ayungon, where they broke into Enardecido’s home, killing both him and his relative.
Sabejon, meanwhile, was killed last Friday by riding-in-tandem suspects in the town’s Barangay 3.
NOrPPO is presently conducting an investigation into the murders, while their director, Police Colonel Raul Tacaca, has placed the entire provincial police force on ‘red alert.’ Under such status, all pertinent offices are expected to report to the main office on a 24-hour basis.
Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, meanwhile, called for an end to killings in the province and urged both the police and military to promote peace and not act to instill fear./DGB, WDJ