Makabayan bloc appeals to House to probe spate of killings in Negros

The plenary hall of the House of Representatives. (Photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc has filed a resolution asking the House of Representatives to investigate the spate of killings and human rights situation in Negros Oriental.

The resolution, filed on Thursday, cited the killing of lawyer Anthony Trinidad, 53, who was tagged as a supporter of communist rebels in Negros Island. Trinidad was shot dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental on July 23.

READ: Lawyer linked to Reds killed in Negros ambush

Just two days after the lawyer’s murder, high school principal Arthur Bayawa and his sister Ardale Bayawa were killed inside their home in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental by unidentified armed men. On the same day, Barangay chairman Romeo Alipan was also gunned down in Guihulngan.

READ: School principal, DepEd exec, village chief shot dead in Negros Oriental

With this, Makabayan bloc said the House of Representatives through its Committee on Human Rights must probe the series of killings and other human-rights violations in Negros Oriental.

“Now, Therefore, that the House of Representatives, through the Committee on Human Rights, to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the spate of killings and other human-rights violations in the Negros Island,”  read the resolution. /jpv