BACOLOD CITY—A task force has been formed to investigate the killing of a Negros Occidental official involved in hospital operations, a case which Church leaders said added to a growing list of unsolved killings on Negros Island.
The National Bureau of Investigation was also requested to conduct a parallel investigation on the killing of Marton Cui, the provincial consultant on hospital operations.
Cui was declared dead at the San Carlos City Hospital at 9 p.m. Monday (April 12), an hour after he was shot as he left his office in Emerald Arcade in San Carlos City.
Col. Romy Palgue, Negros Occidental police director, said Cui suffered two gunshot wounds.
The Philippine flag was flown at half staff in front of the provincial capitol in Bacolod City.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he was deeply saddened and shocked by the murder of Cui whom he described as a dear friend.
“Marton was a fine gentleman, mild mannered individual. I cannot understand why someone would do him harm,” Lacson said.
“I think the only justice we can give Marton and his family is to find out who the triggerman was, who was behind the operation and why was it necessary to take the life out of Marton,” he added.
San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza also decried the killing of Cui.
“I strongly condemn this abominable assault on the primacy and sanctity of human life. His death is another mark of senselessness on the use of violence against human life. This culture of death must end,” he said.
He said the killing showed the urgency of a July 27, 2018 pastoral letter issued by Negros bishops pleading for an end to the killings on Negros Island.
“We reiterate our call for an end to violence in Negros island, victimizing our very own people — farmers, civil society leaders and even government officials,” Alminaza said.
“We shall continue to toll the church bells in all parishes, chaplaincies, mission stations, and religious houses every evening at 8 o’clock until the killings stop”, he added.