Slain Negros Occidental Board Member Renato Malabor will be buried at the Isabela Catholic Cemetery today after a 1 p.m. mass at the Isabela Parish Church.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday he stands by his original statement that Malabor's killing was politically motivated.

Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Wednesday called on everyone to refrain from any further speculation on the real intent and persons behind the killing of Malabor. Preemptive conclusions will only sow further division and conflict, he said.

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the assassination of Malabor and his bodyguard, Leody Jumilla, in Isabela on June 28, and expressing profound condolences to their bereaved families.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, said  the incident was so shocking that almost the entire Negros Occidental felt the loss of a good man and an honorable public servant.

  Killing or any form of violence for political or any other reason has no room and justification in a democratic society such as ours,” Distrito said.

  Negros Occidental and Bacolod City are generally peaceful, and such act could jeopardize their common goal of making the place a safe haven for everyone, even for tourists and investors, he said.

  Distrito said Malabor is a great loss to the province, given that he was a hardworking and steadfast public official.*CPG/CGS

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