ABC head to massacre suspect: Yield

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — Provincial Board Member George Gitano, president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in Negros Occidental, is urging massacre suspect Noel Ayalin to surrender to authorities, saying that the ABC or the Liga ng mga Barangay has condemned the mass murder.

Gitano, who announced that the ABC will meet to discuss ways to help the families of the victims, issued a statement calling on Ayalin, a former barangay captain, to come out of hiding and yield: "Brgy. Captain Ayalin, please surrender now and settle your case."

Ayalin should have chosen to amicably settle whatever issues he has against the barangay officials, instead of shooting them to death. As former barangay captain in the same village, he should know better how to solve problems such as questionable funds, said Gitano.

Ayalin was the suspect in the killing of four councilmen and the wounding of three others during a session at the Brgy. Kapitan Ramos Hall in Silay City last Sunday.

Killed were Brgy. Councilmen Luzviminda Cotamen, 45, Freddie Juno, 58, Pedrito Orocio, 52, and SK chairperson Imee Occeña, 16. Wounded were Brgy. Captain Ramon Celebre, 45, Councilman Salvacion Corugda, 42, and brgy. treasurer Lenny Llorca, 34.

The other day, Negros Occidental Police director Senior Supt. Allan Guihisan said Ayalin was believed to be still hiding somewhere in Silay and has hooked up with some bandits. He was spotted the other day in the company of three persons who were apparently have links to people engaged in cattle rustling and banditry, Guihisan said.

Ayalin, who is still armed and dangerous because he is believed to be carrying the .45 caliber pistol he used in the massacre, reportedly told a Silay City councilor that he would rather commit suicide than surrender to the police.

On Wednesday, Marañon offered a P100,000 reward for the immediate arrest of Ayalin. "The reward will be given to anyone who can physically turn over the suspect to authorities," he said as he also gave the police a 3-day deadline, or until yesterday (March 11), to arrest the suspect.

If Ayalin is found dead, the person who can turn in his body will also be given the reward, the governor said. The reward money is only good for one week, or from March 10 to March 15, he said, adding that although the police are trying their best to find Ayalin, the reward money would hasten his arrest.

The governor said he will ask the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation to speed up the arrest of Ayalin. If Ayalin's family turns him over to the police, then the P100,000 reward will go to them, he said as he also assured them that they will be given protection amid reports that the families of the victim will retaliate through them.

Ayalin is facing four counts of murder and frustrated murder. Inspector Jesus Misajon, deputy police chief of Silay City PNP, said they have filed charges yesterday. (FREEMAN)