Silay Village Chief Yields After Deadly Election Day Shooting

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A barangay captain linked to a deadly Election Day shooting in Silay City, Negros Occidental has surrendered to authorities.

The May 13 incident, considered the first of its kind in Silay’s election history, shocked residents and raised concerns about political tensions in the city.

Police said Barangay Lantad Chairman Arnie Benedicto turned himself in at 3 p.m. Monday, hours after the incident, accompanied by his legal counsel.

Police Col. Rainerio De Chavez, director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), confirmed that witnesses positively identified Benedicto.

He is currently in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Occidental.

Benedicto has yet to release a statement about his alleged role in the shooting.

De Chavez said a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Silay has been formed to probe the incident and track down Benedicto’s two alleged cohorts.

Police are also investigating whether the violence was triggered by provocation.

The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) identified the fatalities as Albert Salimbot of Barangay E. Lopez and Ronnie Piedad, 45, of Barangay Mambulac, both from Silay City.

Seven others were wounded: Ruel Espinosa, 42, of Talisay City; Ric Ortillano, 46, of Barangay Mambulac; Wilfredo Cuello, 46, and Joey Pomares, both of PLDT Baybay; Jason Belleza of Yolanda Housing, Barangay E. Lopez; Glenn Gutierrez, 49, of Cabay Bodega, Barangay Guinhalaran; and Ginray Guitche, 32, of Barangay Mambulac.

All victims were brought to Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City.

Initial investigation showed that the victims were standing in front of an alleged political headquarters around 7 p.m. when three men on board a vehicle opened fire.

Videos posted online showed individuals lying on the ground, drawing public concern and condemnation.

Reelectionist Mayor Joedith Gallego, in a video posted on Facebook, denounced the attack on his volunteers, who he said were monitoring vote-buying activities.

Gallego urged residents to remain calm and called for peace and order.

“Let us respect one another,” he said.

Police and military cordoned off the area while awaiting a court-issued search warrant to enter a house believed to be a campaign headquarters.

De Chavez said the suspects may be hiding in the house, but police cannot enter without legal clearance.

He said necessary documents are being prepared, though no timeline was given.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of other individuals being involved.

Gallego stressed that violence has no place in Silay, especially when used to silence people seeking truth and accountability.

“I strongly condemn this cowardly attack,” he said, directing local police to fully cooperate with national authorities.

“We will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators are brought to justice,” he added.

“To those responsible: the law will catch up with you, and the people will not forget.”

Gallego said the victims were defending democracy and ensuring honest, free, and fair elections.

He assured the city will provide medical, legal, and psychological support to the victims and their families.

Lawyer Jose Edward Davila, legal counsel for Team Asenso Silay led by mayoralty candidate Mark Golez, also condemned the violence.

Davila reaffirmed their call for peaceful, honest, and orderly elections.

He said the alleged campaign headquarters was simply a resting place provided by a supporter, and not an official political hub.

Davila denied claims that the property near the crime scene belonged to Team Asenso.

Reports of alleged vote-buying and harassment surfaced on social media a day before the polls.

Police maintained that they were actively responding to complaints contrary to claims of inaction.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, said the situation is under control and efforts are ongoing to arrest the suspects and maintain peace.

“We strongly condemn this act of violence,” Ibay said in a statement.

Ibay said the shooting is considered an isolated case, with no other major election-related incidents reported in the region.

In response, PRO-NIR deployed investigators to gather evidence and interview witnesses.

Checkpoints were established in Silay and nearby towns to prevent the suspects’ escape.

A Quick Reaction Team was sent to assist the Silay police in manhunt operations.

Additional police forces were deployed to maintain order and ensure the peaceful conduct of elections.

A legal officer was also assigned to support the investigation and coordination with prosecutors.

Ibay assured Silay residents that law enforcement is fully mobilized to protect the public during the election period.

The Commission on Elections–Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) described the overall midterm election situation in Negros Occidental as generally peaceful.

Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute said no acts of terrorism or major violence were reported aside from the Silay incident.

Speaking at the Regional Election Monitoring Action Center, Macute said the incident did not disrupt voting in Silay or the rest of the province.

“It had little to no effect at all,” he said.

He noted the shooting occurred about a kilometer from the polling center and did not interfere with electoral proceedings.

“It simply increased police and military visibility, which reassured voters,” he added.

Macute said that because the shooting involved supporters of a political candidate, it was classified as election-related.

He added that Comelec is considering elevating Silay from a green to yellow or orange election watchlist area in future polls due to the violence.

He also said Comelec will investigate social media reports of vote-buying and harassment posted the day before the election.

Macute emphasized that formal complaints and sworn affidavits are needed to initiate official investigations.

In the 2022 elections, Gallego defeated Golez, who was then seeking his final term as mayor.