But that did not prevent two more violent deaths in the trouble-rocked Canlaon City. In short, the bloodletting continues in the city, once considered the summer capital of Negros Island.
Mayor Judith Cardenas claimed that deep-seated land conflict seems to be the root of the series of strafing and ambush incidents here.
She blamed the landed Perez, Blanco, Javellana and Gubaton families as behind the spate of violence that had rocked the city. These families reportedly had hired armed goons, including from Negros Occidental.
Canlaon City is in Negros Oriental, part of the picturesque plateau at the foot of the Canlaon volcano.
What happened. Monday, a certain Romy Manulong, Jimmy Maribong, and Tata Mahurada, all of Barangay Masulog, were strafed by a group of unidentified men. The motive was reportedly land conflict.
The suspects reportedly used a carbine, M-16 Armalite, and a handgun.
Both Manulog and Maribong were still missing as of the press time.
The same day, two more were killed in an ambush by also unidentified gunmen who were aboard a motorcycle. The ambush occurred in the same area.
The Negros Oriental Criminal Investigation and Detection Group recovered from businessman Jong Jong Perez an M-14 rifle, a .12 gauge shotgun, a carbine, a 9mm pistol, a .357, a .38 caliber revolver and a hand grenade.
Perez was detained at the Canlaon police station while the CIDG was readying charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Last March 5, warring groups of the city signed a covenant of pace. But the Monday incident seemed to have once more marred the situation, the city reverting back to its notoriety as the Dodge City of Negros.
That notoriety gained by Canlaon sort of tarnished its development into the summer capital of the island. A real pity.
Cardenas admitted that the Canlaon City police cannot fully handle the peace and order situation, prompting the Association of Barangay Captains led by Mabigo Barangay Captain Pedro Montero to ask for help from PNP Provincial Director Drusillo Boldo to assist Canlaon City curb further violence in the city.
Phivolcs warned that the volcano has been emitting greyish smoke. But there is no indication that it is about to erupt.
Normally, usually during the Holy Week, Canlaon draws into the volcano mountain climbers and a horde of faith-healers from all over the Visayas. These usually comb caves and volcano slopes for medicinal herbs and anting-antings.
This was apparent to Bacolod Capitol Lions Club secretary Honorato Tonogbanua who arrived recently from a wedding in the island resort.
"There were a lot of visitors in the island. And it is now difficult to get bookings for the many hotels and pensions on the island," commented Tonogbanua.
And, he pointed out that many of the visitors are foreigners, although he could not inventory who represent the most – Koreans or Caucasians. But he did admit that is now difficult to walk through the crowd of people on the beaches.
And, yes, Holy Week is still one week off. That spectacle boosted the spirit of Aklan Governor Joeben Miraflores.