The Department of Social Welfare and Development is sending “crisis experts and debriefers” to help families of the bloodbath victims and the entire community in Brgy. Kapitan Ramon, Silay City, recover from the traumatic experiences.

Councilor Marie June Pavillar-Castro, chairperson of the Silay City Council committee on Human Rights, said this was relayed yesterday by DWSD Secretary Dinky Soliman to Remy Rikken, chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women.

The slain Kapitan Ramon officials, Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Imee Occeña, Kagawads Pedrito Orocio and Luzviminda Cotamen were buried during the weekend in Silay cemeteries, while murder suspect Noel Ayalin is still at-large.

More than a thousand  people, some carrying placards and streamers, attended the funeral procession for Occeña, calling for immediate justice for her death and those of the three other Kapitan Ramon barangay kagawads.

Occeña, 16, a graduating high school student, reportedly pleaded for her life, but was shot between the eyes and at close range, allegedly by Ayalin, her father, Armando, recalled.

Negros Occidental SK members and officials headed by Board Member Thea Mae Dino tied armbands, and wore white T-shirts, calling justice for her death.

The coffin of Occeña was draped with a Philippine flag.

Some of the youth distributed pictures of fugitive Ayalin to Silaynons.

While they are demanding for justice to the slain victims, Fr. Ember Tiangson who officiated at the mass services for Occeña, Cotamen and Orocio, urged families of the victims not to resort to violence.

“There should be no more killings, and revenge,” Tiangson  said in his homily during a mass for Occeña, at the Lasting Peace Memorial Chapel in Silay City. He also noted that some Kapitan Ramon residents do not report or file cases against suspects, instead, they just get even.

Kagawad Freddie Juno, meanwhile, was buried on March 12, a week after the shooting spree.

Despite the coordinated manhunt operations of various state security agencies, and a P250,000 reward being offered by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. for his arrest, Ayalin remains at large.

Ramon Celebre, incumbent Kapitan Ramon barangay captain, kagawad Salvacion Corugda and barangay treasurer Leony Llorca, who had survived the shooting, are now recuperating from their gunshot wounds, but are in undisclosed places.

Celebre is being secured by the police because of the continuing threats on his life.

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a resolution last week expressing condolences to the families of the massacred barangay officials of Brgy. Kapitam Ramon, Silay City, and condemning such barbaric and violent act.

The resolution was authored by Councilor Mona Dia Jardin and co-authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito.*GPB

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