Jeering at calls for a peaceful city?

DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines    â€“ Another person was shot dead at Barangay Piapi in this city on Monday, a day ahead of a pro-life caravan and rally by the Diocese of Dumaguete to denounce the spate of killings in this capital and elsewhere in the province of Negros Oriental.

Initial police investigation said the victim, identified as Louie Barrera, 33, married and a resident of Cervantes Extension in this city, was driving his motorcycle around 1:20 p.m. when he was shot at the junction of Hibbard Avenue and E.J. Blanco Road in Brgy. Piapi.

The lone gunman, who witnesses said did not wear any head gear or face cover, was on a motorcycle and was apparently tailing the victim.

Barrera, the fifth person to have been shot dead in the city this month, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Silliman University Medical Center, according to Supt. James Goforth, Dumaguete Police chief.

Investigators recovered from the crime scene Barrera’s motorcycle and at least four spent shells of .45-caliber.

Goforth said the police had invited a man for questioning after he was accosted by pursuing policemen following the shooting incident. The person-of-interest, however, denied involvement, claiming he was just leaving from a nearby school where he dropped off his child for the afternoon classes.

The motive for the killing has yet to be determined as investigators continued to trace the background of the victim, and Goforth declined to comment if the latest shooting incident was related to the illegal drugs trade. Police have also identified first-hand witnesses that they have invited to share whatever information they might have.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Dumaguete has spearheaded a series of activities this month in celebration of Pro-Life Month and for the Year of the Laity.

Yesterday afternoon, Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria, Goforth, other city and police officials and concerned citizens attended a forum tacking the state of killings in the city.

Today’s morning, at least 7,000 people from all over the Diocese of Dumaguete (from Jimalalud in the north to Basay in the south and the entire province of Siquijor) converges for the pro-life caravan/rally at the Macias Sports Complex in the city, bearing the theme, “Choose To Be Brave.”

The activity will be highlighted by speeches from Governor Roel Degamo and Mayor Sagarbarria, with Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer of Human Life International as the guest speaker.

Participants will be from the different parishes, schools, civic and non-government organizations and other sectors. The contingent from Siquijor will leave the island early this morning while the caravans from Jimalalud and Basay are expected to also leave early to arrive in Dumaguete by 9 a.m. They will be accompanied by their parish priests.

At 11 a.m. a high Mass is scheduled with Bishop Julito Cortes presiding and several priests concelebrating.

The event, attended by Catholics and the general public, is aimed to take a stand for the protection, respect and preservation of human lives, which however were marred by five murders this month, three of which were believed to be linked to illegal drugs.  (FREEMAN)