San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza has condemned in strongest possible terms, the murder of local Inter Agency Task Force chief, Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan and her husband, Edwin, Tuesday (Dec. 16) in Brgy. Poblacion, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.
Alminaza described the killing of the couple as senseless and brutal, saying it was “marked by a desire to end the pro-people service of Dr. Sancelan to her constituents.”
Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, IATF head of Guihulngan City, and her husband, Edwin, were on their way home on board a motorcycle when they were killed by the suspects, police reports said.
Both victims were declared dead on arrival at the Guihulngan District Hospital, according to the police.
“Dr. Sancelan was branded, vilified, red-tagged and now, executed, by the ruthless pawns of the enablers of systematic killings in this country,” the bishop said.
“Her only crime, much like the soon to be born-infant Jesus in a manger, was her unselfish service to the poor people of Guihulngan-both as a barrio doctor and as defender of the poor,” Alminaza said.
“Sadly, the same government that was expected to recognize her dedication to government service, failed to protect her. If government cannot protect us, how are we ordinary citizens expected to trust this government?, the bishop asked.
In a statement, the Guihulngan IATF describes Dr. Sancelan as a dedicated frontliner who was instrumental in placing under control the previous spike of COVID-19 cases in November.
“We are confused and in shock of this painful fate befalling our public servants. Even now, we grapple to fill the gaping void Dr. Sancelan left in the service and in the Task Force”.
Karapatan-Negros Island, in their Facebook account, claimed that the name of Sancelan was included in the supposed “hit list” of KAGUBAK ( Kawsa Guihulnganon Batok Kumunista), an anti-communist vigilante group.
The group strongly condemned the killing of Sancelan couple.
We believe that this is part of the liquidation operation of the NTF –ELCAC (National Task Force – to End Local Communist Armed Conflict), the Karapatan-Negros Island said in a statement. – Negros Now Daily News Team
