Negros politics getting hot

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

The killing of Board Member Renato Malabor and his bodyguard is still far from being solved. The Isabela police director was relieved sending a message that the local police have been unable to give a sufficient lead to find the culprit or culprits.

Salvador Benedicto Mayor Joemax Ortiz told media last Sunday that there are threats to his life and he has taken precautions with the hiring of several persons to protect him.

Right at the outset, Governor Alfredo Marañon opined that the killing of Malabor is politically motivated although the police are pursuing other leads. The governor also urged local executives to take precautionary measures. He must have sufficient information to issue this statement. The governor is known for his frankness. The threat must be real.

The admission of Ortiz puts the Negros political situation on dangerous hot grounds for next year's election.

The Negros political contests have a history of bloody killings and next year's election will not be different. There are several election hot spots in the province.

Reports show that the elections in Isabela and Salvador Benedicto will be hot spots so that the police should already prepare to obviate the possibility of bloodshed.

There are suspicions that hired killers are responsible for the election-related murders in the cases involving the late Judge Henry Arles and Mayor Luis Mondia. There are yet scores to settle and the coming election can be the time to make even.

There can be more problems on peace and order as we come closer to election time. The police must triple their effort to solve these killings.*