Guihulngan City IATF chief, husband shot dead by riding-in-tandem

A LOCAL Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) chief and her husband were declared dead on the spot after they were shot by riding-in-tandem suspects in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, late Tuesday afternoon, December 15, 2020.

Police identified the fatalities as Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan, the IATF chief and City Health Officer of Guihulngan City, and her husband Edwin Sancelan.

Based on information by Guihulngan City Police Station, the couple was riding home on their motorcycle when two gunmen in a motorcycle opened fire at them.

The couple was instantly killed in the attack after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body.

Guihulngan City police have yet to determine the motive behind the murders.

Following the incident, the Guihulngan City IATF said they are mourning the deaths of the couple. They described Dr. Sancelan as a courageous and dedicated frontliner who was instrumental in thwarting the Covid-19 spike in the city in November.

The city's IATF are also confused and in shock over the murder of their chief and are asking for time from the public to come to terms with their loss.

Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza also condemned the incident and asked for prayers for the victims, their families, and those responsible to be held accountable.

"This is too much! This is unacceptable to allow this to happen to public servants who were working hard to serve the public interest especially during this pandemic," Alminaza said.

He further added it is a grave omission to remain silent and passive and allow perpetrators to get away.

Rights group Karapatan-Negros, meanwhile, released a statement accusing the anti-communist vigilante group Kawsa Guihulnganon Batok Komunista (Kagubak) as the ones responsible for the murders.

Karapatan-Negros claimed that the doctor was recently "red-tagged" and mistakenly identified as Ka JB Regalado, the spokesperson for New People's Army Leonardo Panaligan Command based in Central Negros.

They further claimed that the doctor, along with other slain individuals, lawyer Anthony Trinidad and Heidie Malalay Flores, allegedly appeared on Kagubak's hit list.

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