BACOLOD City – Liga ng mga Barangay – Negros Occidental president Juvy Pepello urged the police and the military to step up security measures for village officials in the province.
Pepello made the call after a village chief in Isabela, Negros Occidental was gunned down.
The Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) claimed responsibility over the death of Barangay Libas captain Rhoy Pagapang.
The NPA accused Pagapang of being a military asset.
“We encourage our police and military to go an extra mile in protecting our elected public officials, specifically our barangay captains,” Pepello stressed.
Pepello, an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said she spoke on behalf of other provincial Liga officials.
The Liga passed a resolution expressing condolences to the bereaved family of Pagapang.
Pepello said peace and order must be maintained in the barangay, being the basic unit of government.
Pagapang’s assassination came days after former barangay captain Agapito Euraoba of San Agustin, Isabela was shot to death.
The NPA also admitted having a hand in the death of Euraoba.
“As these killings happened in one locality, we are calling on the top officials of the police and military in the province to intensify their efforts in ensuring security in Isabela,” Pepello added. (With a report from PNA/PN)
