Local government seeks justice for murdered employee

By Glazyl Y. Masculino 

BACOLOD CITY – The Hinoba-an municipal government in Negros Occidental has pledged support to the family of a murdered job order casual government worker in their pursuit of justice.

In a statement on Facebook, Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias expressed profound grief over the death of 43-year-old Darrel Cayao from Barangay Asia.

Reliquias strongly condemned the act, saying that “such acts of violence should not be tolerated.”

“It is painful to learn of the death of one of our own, taken by merciless individuals.”

Cayao was discovered dead at Sitio Balugo, Barangay Sangke, last Monday.

Police Major Jaynick Bermudez, the town’s police chief, reported that Cayao and a companion were ambushed by an assailant while riding a motorcycle from Basay, Negros Oriental.

“The perpetrator struck the victim on the head with an unidentified object and then stabbed him in the chest,” Bermudez said.

Cayao’s friend managed to escape, overwhelmed by fear when they both tumbled from the motorcycle he was operating.

The suspect has been identified by a witness, Bermudez confirmed, but he withheld the suspect’s name pending the formal filing of murder charges.

Following the incident, officers launched a pursuit operation, but the suspect has since eluded capture within the town.

Bermudez mentioned that they are exploring personal grudges as a potential motive for the crime but refrained from providing additional details.