The celebration of the All Saints” and All Souls” Day on Nov. 1 and 2 in Negros Occidental, was marred by two hacking and shooting incidents in cities of Kabankalan and Sagay, that claimed the lives of two persons.

However, the police described the two-day celebrations in the province as generally peaceful, despite the two fatal incidents.

A certain Nilo Sarabia, 52, was shot dead allegedly by his nephew, Jerry Danoso, after he visited the tombs of his relatives at the public cemetery in Brgy. Baviera, Sagay City, on Nov. 2.

Chief Inspector Gabriel Gutierrez, Sagay police chief, said Sarabia and his companion, Romylino Taneca, 38, were on their way home, when the suspect shot Sarabia at close range.

Danoso, who is a relative of rebel leader Rogelio Danoso, alias Ka Gildo, shot the victim twice in the head, to ensure his death, Gutierrez said.

Investigations by the Sagay police showed that old grudges reportedly triggered the shooting incident.

Sarabia was declared dead on arrival at the Alfredo Marañon Sr. District Hospital in Sagay City, while Danoso reportedly fled to the hinterlands of Cadiz City.

A day earlier, two farm laborers, who are minors, allegedly hacked dead a certain Abundio Rapiz in Brgy. Inapoy, Kabankalan City.

The two suspects, 16 and 17 years old, surrendered to Inapoy Kagawad Wilfredo Flores and Tanod chief Jerry Fernando, who endorsed them to the Kabankalan City Police Station.

Police investigations showed that Rapiz, a 33-year-old farm laborer, allegedly challenged to a fight the two suspects and their companion, Jorry Rapiz, who immediately fled.

Three cane cutters were recovered at the crime scene, and drunkeness reportedly triggered the hacking incident.

Meanwhile, 31 deadly weapons, a .38 caliber revolver, and bottles of liquor were recovered by policemen from cemetery-goers on Nov. 1 and 2 in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

On Nov. 1 and 2, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and Bacolod City Police Office maximized the mobilization of their police personnel for field duty.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, regional police director of Western Visayas, who visited Negros Occidental, on Nov. 1 said their widened coverage and dissemination of security tips kept terminals, seaports, major thoroughfares, cemeteries and other common areas of convergence kept criminals and other threats to peace, order and security from taking advantage of the situation.

Cruz added that the supportive presence of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams, Barangay Tanods, volunteer groups and organizations, among others also helped in putting up crime prevention strategies and mechanisms to prevent accidents.*GPB

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