TFK calls on authorities to act on unsolved killings

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Task Force Kasanag national commander John Chiong urged concerned authorities to act on the spate of killings in the city recently.

Chiong said he already sent a letter to PNP chief Archie Gamboa to keep him abreast of the situation.

“We in the anti-crime groups condemn these senseless killings,” Chiong said.

Chiong said the incidents, which remain unsolved until now, are also a slap on the face of police authorities here.

He aired concern that some groups may “copy-paste” the killings for their own interest.

For this year alone, five high profile daylight killings baffled police here while the city was under Enhanced Community Quaratine and General Community Quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

On Feb 15, 2020, former police Patrolman Eric Alcosaba was gunned down at the busy intersection of Burgos Extension and East Circumferential Road.

This was followed by the killing of former basketball player and Barangay Captain Manuel Maui Huelar on April 16.

The third killing involved Gerard Cuadra, son of convicted drug lord Jose Kim Cuadra, who was shot dead May 17 in front of a hospital here where his wife was admitted.

The fourth to be killed was businessman Roland Tan who was gunned down by riding in tandem suspects on May 22.

Four days later, businessman Domingo Arguelles was also shot dead by riding in tandem suspects at Barangay Sum-ag.

The cases remain unresolved for lack of witnesses.

The killings were linked to illegal drugs, among other motives being investigated, Bacolod City Police Office spokesman Lt. Col.  Ariel Pico said.

Tan’s family, however, came out with a statement denying that their kin was involved in the illegal drug trade

Chiong said that we have “a rule of law” so these people should be charged and punished according to the law and not summarily killed.

The victims’ family continue to cry for justice, Chiong said as he called on the police authorities to go on with the investigation and bring the culprits to the bar of justice.

TFK is a civil society group that advocates against criminalities, injustices, illegal drug and other illegal activities.