DESPITE the series of killings in Negros Occidental recently, there is no breakdown of the peace and order in the province, Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday, November 7.

"We should look for ways to avoid or stop it. But the recent spate of killings is not enough to say there is a breakdown in the peace and order in the province," Lacson said.

He also urged the public not to fear and panic.

Lacson made the statement after human rights lawyer Benjamin Ramos Jr. was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men perpetrators in Kabankalan City Tuesday evening, November 6.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1772831/Bacolod/Local-News/Human-rights-lawyer-killed-in-Negros-Occidental

This came two weeks after the massacre of the nine farm workers in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City.

READ: Gunmen kill 9 people who occupied Negros farm

Lacson brushed aside insinuations that the killing of Ramos will cause panic and fear.

Lacson said he is leaving it to authorities to do their jobs.

"They are very clear who they are after," he said.

“For the government sector, it is our responsibility to reach out to as many people as we can, especially the poor so we can help them in using the resources of the respective local government units,” the vice governor said. (TDE)