By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) said yesterday morning that they are prepared to assist the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to conduct an investigation into the recent killings in the city.

The statement came after Police Major Elmer Bonilla, BCPO Station 1 commander, said they will ask for ballistic cross-matching data to determine if the firearms used in the shooting incident of two alleged burglars in Bacolod last week, and other recent incidents in Negros Occidental will match.

Bonilla added that they had noticed “something peculiar” with the suspects’ movements, based on the closed-circuit television footage.

NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Major Rhojn Darrel Nigos, said they are ready to conduct a case review and analysis of the other shooting incidents in the province to find out if the killings are related.

Nigos said the Provincial Forensics Unit is prepared to assist in conducting cross-examination and the identification of firearms.

He also reiterated BCPO’s statement that they are not monitoring any vigilante groups in Negros Occidental.

He added that they could easily find out if there are any vigilante groups, as they are continuously coordinating with other law enforcement agencies.

Nigos also assures Negrenses that the police commanders and their respective units are doing their best to maintain peace and order in the province, and to prevent any crime.

On November 10, two individuals were fatally shot along Araneta Street in the city’s Barangay 15.

The victims were identified as Nobert Aguda and Kenneth Jamandre, residents of Barangays 35 and 16, respectively.

Two unidentified individuals onboard a motorcycle opened fire on the victims.

Police recovered eight .45 caliber shells from the crime scene.

A screwdriver and pliers were found inside the victims’ bag.

A background check revealed that they were the suspects in a series of home burglaries across the city.

Police are currently looking at past grudges and links to illegal drugs as the motives in the murder./DGB, WDJ