Silay City massacre Marañon offers P100,000 reward for "killer"'s arrest

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday offered a reward of P100,000 for the capture or arrest of Silay City's former barangay captain Noel Ayalin, the suspect in the massacre of four barangay councilmen and injury of three others inside the barangay hall last Sunday.

The governor said the reward for the immediate arrest of the 48-year-old suspect is only good for one week, or from today (March 10) until Tuesday (March 15) next week.

On Tuesday, Marañon gave the police a three-day deadline, or until tomorrow Friday, to arrest Ayalin, saying that although the police are trying their best to find the suspect, the reward money would hasten the arrest of the suspect. 

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has also ordered the immediate arrest of Ayalin, who barged into the barangay hall of Brgy. Kapitan Ramon and fired shots at the barangay officials who were having their regular session.

The Silay City Council has passed a resolution declaring 16 days of mourning starting Tuesday for the victims in what was considered a bloodbath.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, director of the provincial police, said the police have been on a massive manhunt for Ayalin since Sunday, but as of press time yesterday, the suspect remained at-large, but “armed and dangerous.”

Guisihan has created Task Group Manhunt Ayalin to arrest the suspect, and Task Force Occeña, et al, to investigate the crime.

Ayalin, while in hiding, reportedly told a Silay City councilor that he would rather commit suicide than surrender to the police. (FREEMAN)