Bloody weekend

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

One attraction of Occidental Negros is its relative peace. Even the presence of the rebellious New People's Army has not dampened investors and tourists. The military has declared the province as “ready for development” because of peace and order that allows people to move freely.

There are the usual crimes against persons and properties but they are common crimes that do not cause fear enough for people to scamper out.

The killing of Board Member Renato Malabor and his bodyguard, two others inside a car in San Carlos, a barangay tanod in Candoni and two more in Murcia are unusual as they come at the same time though for different reasons. The peace and tranquility of the province is disturbed. A warning has been issued of possible killings of politicians that included Malabor.

Malabor held several elective positions as councilor and mayor of Isabela for a full term and the seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan since 2013. His brothers are councilor and vice mayor. They are the new political family in the town.

The first reaction was that his murder is motivated by politics but this has yet to be proven. Not until the culprits are identified can the truth be known.

What is clear at the moment is that he was a victim of a hired killer. The manner of his killing shows that the murderer is a professional. He had no qualms about the presence of many witnesses.

The P2-million bounty offered by Governor Alfredo Marañon for the capture of the killer and the mastermind will help the police through informers but only good police work will solve this murder.

The killing of Malabor adds to two more murders that remain unresolved. The killers of RTC Judge Henry Arles and former Pulupandan Mayor Luis Mondia are yet unpunished.

The public expects that the police solve Malabor's death fast.*