• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The election today, May 12, in Silay City, Negros Occidental, was marred with a shooting incident that claimed the lives of two persons, and injured seven others, two hours after voting started for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.
Initial police investigations indicate that one of the three suspects, identified as Arnie Benedicto, barangay chairman of Lantad in Silay, allegedly opened fire on the victims while passing by Sitio Ipil Ipil, Brgy. Mambulac.
The police said that Albert Salimbot and Ronnie Piedad died on the spot.
Injured were Ruel Espinosa, Ric Ortillano, Wilfredo Cuello, Jason Belleza, Joey Pomares, Glenn Gutierrez, and Ginray Guitche, who were rushed to Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City, for treatment of their injuries.
Additional policemen were dispatched to Silay City by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, to maintain peace and order, to ensure the smooth flow of elections, and to join the manhunt against the fleeing suspects.
P/Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, regional police director of PRO Negros Island Region, assured the public that the situation is under control, and all necessary actions are being undertaken to bring the perpetrators to justice and maintain peace in the community.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence. The full force of the law is being applied to apprehend the suspects,” Ibay said.
The PRO-NIR immediately activated the Provincial-Level Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to centralize efforts in the case buildup and manhunt operations against the suspects, while an Area Command Post (ACP) was established near the crime scene to coordinate operations.
“We assure the community that justice will be served. Our teams are on the ground and fully engaged. We urge residents to remain calm, cooperate with authorities, and report any information that may aid in the immediate capture of the suspects,” Ibay said.
The PNP and Comelec also condemned the incident.
P/Lt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson of the PRO-NIR, described the shooting as an “isolated incident”, adding they cannot say yet if it was related to the ongoing elections, as investigations are still ongoing, as of this time.
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, who claimed that the victims are his volunteer watchdogs against vote-buying, has strongly condemned the shooting incident.
“These citizens, driven only by a desire to protect the integrity of our elections, were performing a patriotic duty. Their selfless act was a testament to the kind of democracy we all aspire to uphold: one that is honest, free, and just,” Gallego said.
“We will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators are brought to justice. To those responsible: the law will catch up with you, and the people will not forget,” Gallego said, adding he already ordered the local police to fully cooperate with national authorities, in expediting the investigation.
He also said that the city government will extend all necessary assistance—medical, legal, and psychological—to the victims.
Gallego called on all political players to rise above the politics of fear and intimidation. “Let this election be a contest of platforms, not a battlefield of bullets.” | GB
