BACOLOD City – Two persons died and seven others were wounded in a shooting incident in Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, Negros Occidental yesterday morning.
Silay City police chief Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca identified the fatalities as Ronnie Piedad, 45, a resident of Purok Ipil-Ipil, Barangay Mambulac, and Albert Salimbot of Hacienda Macamig Pulo, Barangay E. Lopez.
They were declared dead on arrival at the hospital by the attending physician.
The wounded – Jayson Belleza, Roel Espinosa, Joey Pomares, Ric Ortillano, Wilfredo Cuello, Glenn Gutierez, and Jinrey Guitsi – were rushed to the city’s Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital but were later transferred to a hospital in Bacolod City.
Investigation revealed that the suspect, alias “Rene”, village chief of Barangay Lantad, along with two unidentified men fired their guns while passing through a political headquarter at around 7 a.m.
The three suspects fled the scene thereafter, prompting a coordinated hot pursuit operation led by the Silay City Police Station (CPS).
In response to the incident, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) immediately implemented measures to ensure public safety and law enforcement continuity.
Checkpoints were established across Silay City and neighboring localities to monitor the movement of the suspects. Additional police personnel have also been deployed to maintain peace and ensure the smooth flow of elections in the area.
Also, the PRO-NIR deployed a quick reaction team to reinforce Silay police in the ongoing manhunt operations and a legal officer was assigned to assist Silay CPS in case buildup and coordination with prosecutors.
‘Situation under control’
Brigadier general Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the PRO-NIR, condemned the “act of violence.”
He also assured the people of Silay City and the rest of the region that the situation is under control and all necessary actions are being undertaken to bring the perpetrators to justice and maintain peace in the community.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence. The full force of the law is being applied to apprehend the suspects. We assure the people of Silay and the entire region that security forces are fully mobilized to protect our communities, especially during this critical election period,” Ibay stated.
Silay mayor condemns attack
For his part, Mayor Joedeth Gallego condemned the shooting incident that occurred in his area of jurisdiction on election day.
“I strongly condemn this cowardly attack. Violence has no place in our community especially when used to silence those who seek truth, fairness, and accountability. I have already directed our local police force to fully cooperate with national authorities and expedite the investigation. We will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators are brought to justice. To those responsible: the law will catch up with you, and the people will not forget,” Mayor Gallego said.
He added: “It is with deep sorrow and urgent concern that I address our people today in light of the heinous shooting incident that took place today, May 12, 2025, during election day in Barangay Mambulac, which left members of our community-volunteers, who courageously stood as watchdogs against vote-buying, killed, wounded and traumatized.”
These citizens, he said, were performing a patriotic duty, driven only by a desire to protect the integrity of the elections.
“To the families of the victims, you are not alone. The city government stands with you in this difficult time. We will extend all necessary assistance – medical, legal, and psychological – to aid your recovery,” he said.
The mayor further called on all political players to rise above the politics of fear and intimidation, saying: “This is not just a political issue. This is a moral one.”
“We ask our people to remain vigilant but calm, firm but peaceful. The future of our city and the very soul of our democracy is at stake. And we will not be intimidated,” the mayor added./PN
