Sunday, November 11, 2007 Dads want Escalante under military control By Jerome S. Galunan Jr. and Gil Alfredo B. Severino
CITY officials of Escalante sought the Provincial Government's assistance to place the city under military control following the recent shooting incident in Barangay Libertad that killed two people Thursday night.
City officials believed that the killings and intimidation could be averted when the military steps in.
None, however, would like to confirm the report that the Libertad shooting incident Thursday night was politically-motivated and was still part of the ongoing political rift between Mayor Melecio "Biboy" Yap and Vice Mayor Santiago "MaiMai" Barcelona.
Not even Negros Occidental Police Provincial Director Rosendo Franco would like to comment on the matter.
But Governor Joseph Maranon is against the move of the City Council to put Escalante City under military control.
"Why military and not the police?" asked the governor.
Immediately, Maranon instructed Franco to conduct an immediate investigation regarding the "bloody" event that killed Filjun Damalerio 28, and Danilo Agupasan.
Damalerio is the son of re-elected Libertad barangay chief Fernando Damalerio.
While Agupasan was said to be among the 17 "hired assassins" allegedly tasked to carry out their mission of eliminating barangay chairman Damalerio.
Franco, however, said, "Until police investigators in the area completed their investigation, it is still premature to make official statements at the moment.
The media, however, will be informed if a confirmed report is received from the area," Franco said.
The governor is also puzzled why Escalante City Council is requesting him for the military and not police augmentation in their city.
Fortunately, he admitted that Escalante City apparently does not trust the police compared to the military so this could pose certain problems because the present situation call for a close coordinative work between the police and the military.
Franco then admitted that feuding in Escalante involving two top City officials might cause another problem.
Our province's supporters, friends, colleagues, family members, among others, can attest with my performance.
"For the past nine years, we could not have been awarded if this City is undoubtedly very peaceful," Barcelona said.
"I am appealing that let us all unite to bring peace and order and the rule of law to prevail, that everyone can savor freedom from fear and to empower anything in case Cebu's advise there so when we get back," he said.
