Give massacre victims justice,
Negros, Bacolod officials call
BY CARLA GOMEZ & CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Negros Occidental and Bacolod City officials, outraged over the massacre of 57 in Maguindanao Monday, three of whom were from Negros Occidental, yesterday joined calls for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.

“The victims of the terrible Maguindanao massacre should be given swift justice,” Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco said.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said there are no words strong enough to describe the dastardly and inhuman act that took the lives of 52 in Maguindanao and the entire city of Bacolod condemns it in the strongest possible terms.

Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela was killed by the kind of people she passionately fought against.

“And if she could speak today she would say ‘Go after them, don't let them get away with what they did',” Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said yesterday.

Brizuela, a 56-year-old lawyer and grandmother, who was from Bacolod City , was among the 57 persons killed in a massacre in Maguindanao Monday.

Former Rep. Apolinario “Jun” Lozada (Neg. Occ., 5 th District) yesterday said he is running for senator under the united opposition led by former president Joseph Estrada.

He said among the other senatorial bets of the united opposition are Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, Miriam Defensor Santiago (guest), and Ramon “Bong” Revilla (guest), and Joey de Venecia and Grace Poe.

Estrada, who was in Victorias City , Negros Occidental, yesterday to turn over a firetruck, confirmed Lozada's running with him for the senate.