ISABELA, Negros Occidental -- Mayor Joselito Malabor said that the killing of village chiefs in this town is already alarming.
The Isabela mayor issued the statement after the death of incumbent Libas village chief Rhoy Pagapang who was gunned down by rebels at Barangay Cabcab on August 20.
Pagapang's sister, Brenda Fernandez, took over his post based on the rule of succession.
On August 10, former San Agustin village Agapito Euroba was also shot to death by the same perpetrators in the village.
The two village chiefs were killed after they were tagged by rebels as "military assets."
Malabor said he already met with the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) on Friday to discuss the shooting incidents.
They also convened for the creation of the anti-criminal task force to address criminalities in the town.
Malabor said he is aware of the threats against some village chiefs in the town. He said he is planning to meet with them to discuss their security and protection.
On August 24, seven village chiefs in the town met with Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City to seek assistance from the police on their security.
During the meeting, a village chief, whose name was withheld for security reasons, revealed that four of the 30 village chiefs in the town are reportedly facing threats from the suspected rebels.
However, such allegations were denied by the Leonardo Panaligan Command (LPC) of the New People's Army (NPA), claiming that they have not sent death threats to the four village chiefs.
Due to the killings of two village chiefs, they have asked Castil for additional police forces in the town to neutralize the perpetrators, as they considered the shootings alarming.
As this developed, Malabor said he even thanked the seven village chiefs for taking the initiative to meet with the authorities.
"I would have accompanied them if I was informed about their meeting earlier," he added.
Malabor also reacted to the allegation of one of the seven village chiefs that the shooting incidents were "politically-motivated."
He said Pagapang won the election and they both initiated to hire security personnel for his protection after he was involved in a shooting incident, victimizing a couple when he sent them a summon, Malabor said.
He added: "It will be my responsibility if something might happen to the village chiefs that's why I provided him security."
Malabor said that six members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) were assigned to ensure Pagapang's security at his residence.
Malabor said the 94th Infantry Battalion in the town has been conducting clearing operations for more than a month already.
He said that San Agustin and Cabcab villages are considered hotspots while Riverside village and some areas in Libas village have also the presence of suspected armed men.
Castil earlier said that he already deployed more policemen in the town to conduct regular patrol operations, especially in critical areas.
Despite the alarming insurgency problem in the town, Malabor assured the people that normal activities will continue as the police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines do their part in ensuring the peace and order situation.
"We will continue our close coordination with the peacekeeping forces to address criminalities in the town," Malabor said. (GYM/SunStar Bacolod)