Ten persons died and eight were injured in Negros Occidental before and after the New Year's eve celebration in incidents not related to the explosion of firecrackers, the police said yesterday.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, yesterday said the information dissemination campaign and warning against indiscriminate firing proved successful as they recorded zero incidents during the period.

Three of the suspects in the shooting incidents in Negros Occidental are members of the Philippine Army and a militiaman, police investigations show.

Col. Gregorio Fajardo, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said the three Army soldiers and a militiaman are allegedly involved in the death of CAFGU member Leo Mamelia and Dioscoro de la Cruz, in La Castellana and Moises Padilla towns on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, were placed under technical arrest, while the two incidents are being investigated. Police investigations show that a certain Sgt. Bandiola rescued his colleague, a certain PFC Abanse, who was ganged up on by three suspects, including the victim, at the auditorium of Moises Padilla town.

Senior Inspector Jose Martin Ogatis, Moises Padilla police chief, yesterday said Abanse called the attention of de la Cruz and his two companions who were responsible for the explosion of firecrackers inside the auditorium. This led to heated altercations and the shooting of the victim.

Sgt. Victor Panes, detachment commander of 12th Infantry Battalion, and CAFGU member Gabriel Villanueva, on the other hand, were also being investigated for the death of Mamelia in Sitio Asay, Brgy, Cabacungan, La Castellana.

Mamelia, who allegedly under the influence of intoxicating liquor and on duty, left the Asay detachment carrying his M-14 assault rifle, although they were on alert status, Senior Inspector Placido Composa, La Castellana police chief, said.

Police investigations showed that Panes and Villanueva allegedly shot Mamelia, while they were grappling for the firearm.

Fajardo said charges will be filed against Abanse, Bandiola, Panes and Villanueva for the death of Dioscoro and Mamelia if there is evidence against them.

The other fatalities in the shooting and stabbing incidents in Sagay City and Moises Padilla were identified as Roberto Bayona and Magno Layon, while Romeo Alebre died of electrocution in Brgy. Sampinit, Bago City

The injured victims in Negros Occidental are Jury Mandiado, Mario Fuentes, Ronerio Galeno, Roel Varona and Rene Verayo.

IN BACOLOD

Meanwhile, five persons were killed, including an alleged rebel returnee in stabbing and shooting incidents in Bacolod City before and after New Year's Eve celebration.

Alleged rebel returnee Ronel Vidal Arcelon, 40, married, of Purok Makawiwili, Brgy. Banago, Bacolod City, was shot dead allegedly by compound caretaker Edjune Villarosa, alias "Mayong", 20 in the barangay at about 12:20 a.m. Monday.

Villarosa who used an firearm of unidentified caliber reportedly attacked Arcelon who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, SPO3 Carmelo Nermal, Police Station 3 deputy officer, said.

Nermal said they recovered two slugs and an empty shell of .45 caliber pistol in the crime scene. He said they are preparing murder charges against Villarosa who is now at-large.

WOMAN'S BODY FOUND

Meanwhile, the body of Violeta Dequiña Magnifico, 65, of Dumancas, Iloilo whose neck bore a stab wound, was found by several residents at 6th-Lacson streets, Bacolod City at about 4 p.m. Monday, police reports said.

Magnifico's niece, Maydee Villacampa Claveria, of Purok Langis, Brgy. Banago, told the police the victim was mentally deranged and had ran away from her custody.

Bacolod City police director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar yesterday said the police is still investigating whether Claveria was killed or if her injury was self-inflicted.

On Sunday, construction worker George Maganto, of legal age, of Sipalay, Negros Occidental was stabbed dead by his co-worker at Greenville 1, Brgy. Estefania, Bacolod City at about 7:30 p.m., police reports said.

Maganto's alleged assailant was identified as certain "Nathan" who managed to escape and remains at-large, reports also said.

The police recovered from the scene a cellphone, a ballpen, a pouch with a P20 bill, a baseball cap, pairs of sandals and slippers, police reports said.

Two hours later, Reynold Magbanua Padilla, 29, married, of Purok Sambag, Brgy. Alijis was also stabbed dead, allegedly by unidentified persons in the barangay, police reports said.

His mother, Erlinda Padilla, told the police her son had several stab wounds on his neck and other parts of his body.

At about 11:30 p.m. of the same day, Freddie Peñaflor Gellanga, 27, single, of Purok Kaingin, Brgy. Singcang-Airport, Bacolod City was stabbed dead allegedly by his cousin, Bienvenido Palmes Gellanga, 37.

Initial investigation showed the cousins, who were drinking engaged in a heated argument that led to the stabbing.* GPB/DMG

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