In response to the recent shootings in the city, the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution calling on the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to form a task force dedicated to handling heinous crimes.
The resolution, authored by City Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, said the aforementioned agencies must conduct thorough investigations in order to “give justice to all the victims” and prevent recurrences.
The city official cited the recent case of Nathan Zerrudo, a resident of Iloilo City who was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds across his body in Barangay Cabug last week; along with the recent shooting of Police Patrolman Eric Alcosaba, who was “absent without official leave,” or AWOL, in Barangay Villamonte.
Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia insisted the recent killings are all related to the drug war.
“If you have nothing to do with illegal drugs, then you have nothing to worry about,” he stated.
The mayor has since ordered Bacolod City Police Office director, Police Colonel Henry Biñas, to instruct his personnel in the field to be more alert.
“Police should be prepared and, as much as possible, preempt or prevent the occurrence of such crimes,” Leonardia added./DGB, WDJ