Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 31) — President Rodrigo Duterte will not hesitate to use “emergency powers” under the Constitution amid the spate of killings in Negros Oriental, his spokesman said Wednesday.
“The Chief Executive is cautioning the enemies of the state in the island of Negros that he will use his emergency powers under the Constitution to quell the lawless violence engulfing the island, as well as to crush all forms of threats aimed to destroy the government,” Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo said in a statement.
The July 18 killing of four policemen in Negros Oriental prompted Duterte to offer a ₱1-million bounty for the capture of the killers. On Wednesday, Panelo said the bounty has been raised to ₱5 million. This is the third time the reward has been increased.
Panelo said the reward money will be for catching the killers, either dead or alive. An additional ₱100,000 will be given for each participant in the crime.
Police believe members of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), were behind the killing. Panelo said the NPA in Negros has “gone overboard.”
“The President vows to replicate the atrocious acts done by the communist rebels to the civilians, the barangay officials and the law enforcers against these murderers in defense of our countrymen,” he said.
The province of Negros Oriental saw an increased number of killings this month. A former town mayor was killed in Ayungon, the same town where the four policemen were slain.
The principal of Guihulngan Science High school, also in Negros Oriental, was killed by unidentified gunmen on July 18 as well. An hour after, armed men shot Romeo Arbole Alipan, chairman of Barangay Buenavista, which is also in Guihulngan town.
The police have yet to issue a statement on whether these killings are related.
