‘Wigit bangkay’

By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN

BACOLOD City is in “silent chaos”. For three successive weeks, four cadavers were dumped in three villages. This modus is termed by Bacolodnons as “wigit bangkay” (body dumping).

There’s a “deafening silence” at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC). Bacolodnons are yet to hear from Mayor Albee Benitez. The same with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO). Colonel Noel Ali?o, the new top cop, is also in a “notable pause”.

Members of the business community can’t hide their “frustration” anymore. The church, on the other hand, opted to remain silent.

But lots of questions are being asked.

* Is there a vigilante group in the city?

* When will these “nasty” happenings end?

* What’s the ultimate action of Mayor Albee to stop “wigit bangkay”?

* Is Colonel Ali?o capable of addressing this serious problem?

BAD FOR BUSINESS

Frank Carbon, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is “worrying to the highest level”.

“Dumping of dead bodies, including dismembered hands and feet, is sending a very strong signal,” he emphasized.

There must be some kind of vigilante group in the city, he said.

“And this is very bad for business,” Carbon declared. “This will deter investors from outside the city and province to come in and do business in Bacolod.”

Carbon said peace and order are among the major criteria “we consider when investing.”

“Hope the city government and police force won’t consider these incidents as isolated cases,” he asserted.

ALARMING

A little rewind: Last month Mayor Albee “panicked” over a report that a disjointed right hand was found in Purok Riverside, Barangay Bata. It was the third case of dismembered body parts being thrown or dumped anywhere in Bacolod.

First, it was the discovery of two severed hands in Purok Kagaykay, Barangay 2 on Jan. 25.

In March, two mutilated feet were found beside a gasoline station along C.L. Montelibano Avenue in Barangay Villamonte.

Thus, in the third case, Mayor Albee, on April 17, while in front of the media at Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, declared the series of dumping incidents (of mutilated body parts) as alarming.

‘ISANG TAWAG LANG’

Right there and then, he phoned Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos and asked for the immediate replacement of Colonel Thomas Joseph Martir as BCPO chief.

Isang tawag lang, Mayor Albee got what he wanted. The following day, April 18, there was a turn-over of command at the BCPO. Colonel Ali?o replaced Colonel Martir (who is set to retire this month).

Mayor Albee gave Colonel Ali?o six months to prove his worth.

Colonel Ali?o vowed to do his best to “satisfy” the mayor.

Alas, one week after his assumption to office, not only detached hands or feet were found but a complete dead body in a secluded area in Barangay Alijis.

Later, the cadaver was identified as that of Alex Dolorosa, 35, of Cadiz City.

Dolorosa was a known organizer of the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) Industry Employees’ Network (BIEN).

The case, until now, remains unsolved.

STUFFED IN SACK

Worse, on April 30, two more dead bodies were found stuffed in a sack left inside a culvert along the economic highway in Barangay Feliza.

Both cadavers were beyond recognition because they were already in the advance state of the composition.

On May 2, another dead body, still stuffed in a sack and in the state of decomposition, too, was found in a drainage system in Barangay Cabug.

Now, here’s another set of questions:

* Why do we have this “wigit bangkay” in Bacolod?

* What’s the real motive?

* Who’s the target to be maimed – the mayor or the chief of police?

Puzzling, isn’t it?

“Wigit bankay” could be “funny” for others but alarming “to whom it may concern”. A thing like this must be addressed in a proper perspective, and in a prompt manner.

Yes, this a police matter, but a concerted effort from the community is now a must. Moreover, Mayor Albee should be “more than keen” on the matter. Why not utilize the city’s intelligence fund just to know the “puno’t dulo” of this “distasteful joke” besmirching the city’s image?

Bacolod can’t afford to have another “wigit bangkay” tomorrow or next week or next month, again and again./PN