By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod chapter chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) was reportedly tailed an unidentified man aboard a motorcycle in Negros Oriental. Based on a statement released by NUJP last Sunday, Rappler correspondent and former Watchmen Daily Journal writer Marchel Espina was visiting Canlaon City while covering the recent killings in Negros Oriental.
As she was heading back to Bacolod City via rental car, Espina’s driver said their vehicle was being tailed by a motorcycle-riding individual, whom they described as having a medium built and wore a bonnet, black jacket and pants, along with a backpack.
Espina’s vehicle was trailed for almost 18 kilometers until they reached La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
According to the NUJP official, “[The driver] blocked an attempt by the [motorcyclist] to overtake their vehicle and drove as fast as he could until they lost the tail.”
The incident came following a series of murders in the province that claimed the lives of at least 21 people between July 18 to 27.
Last week, when asked about proposals to declare Martial Law over Negros in response to the recent violence, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his opposition to the plan, saying he hoped it will not happen and claimed the situation in Negros Oriental has already calmed down./DGB, WDJ