Frank Fernandez, National Democratic Front-Negros chief, yesterday clarified that the dialog being arranged between him and Gov. Joseph Marañon will not constitute localized peace talks.

Fernandez, in a statement released to the media, said the NDF appreciates the statement of Marañon of his readiness to talk with the local leadership of the NDF for peace in Negros. Marañon does not call this "peace talks" but rather just a dialog, Fernandez pointed out.

Marañon yesterday said his concern is very simple. "If Fernandez wants to develop the countryside and he wants to help we can make model communities in rebel areas," he said.

Wanted cops can get
legal help: Barias
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

Police Chief Supt. Geary Barias yesterday advised the 10 policemen implicated in the kidnap-slay of a former Bacolod barangay captain and his two companions, and who were also denied bail, to write PNP chief Oscar Calderon if they wish for legal assistance.

Barias, director of the Investigation and Detective Management, said any request for legal assistance will be studied, to determine if it is job related. Four more policemen identified as Senior Inspector Bonifer Gotas, SPO1 Nelson Grijaldo, Police Officers 2 Dennis Belandres and Ruel Villacanas were added to the list of suspects who have been charged in court, for the deaths of former Pahanocoy Brgy.Capt. Elueterio Salabas and his two companions - Maximo Lomoljo and Ricardo Suganob - in August 2003.

Who caused 'trail of blood'?
BY CARLA GOMEZ

CPG photo

TFM members Fernando Santillan, 41, and Rey Cortejo, 34, show the wounds they said they incurred from gunshots of Hacienda Velez-Malaga guards in La Castellana town.*

Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, Gov. Joseph Marañon and Negros Occidental Police Director Rosendo Franco yesterday reiterated the need to follow proper procedure in the installation of agrarian reform beneficiaries to prevent bloodshed.

Their statements came as Task Force Mapalad yesterday claimed that the "trail of blood" left by the death of agrarian reform beneficiary Pepito Santillan, 62, at Hacienda Velez, Malaga, in La Castellana Thursday and the wounding of two of their members on Wednesday "leads to Malacañang."

In a statement issued at a press conference, TFM also asked what bonds there are between Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th district) and landowner Roberto Cuenca that would justify his inaction on the call of the farmer beneficiaries in his district to be installed in Hacienda-Velez Malaga.