The police yesterday reiterated its call to the community to help by giving concrete information, and not rumors, to enable them to solve the series of killings in Escalante City, that are being linked by some to politics.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, said that even if they deploy all the policemen of Negros Occidental in Escalante, as long as there is no cooperation from the community and its leaders, the problem will not be solved.

The latest victim of violence in Escalante was Jury Alzado, 55, a former militiaman-turned-close-in security man of then Mayor Santiago Barcelona. Alzado was gunned down by three young men on Sunday at the public market of the city.

Police have noted attempts by some people to mislead them during pursuit operations against the assassins of Alzado on Sunday.

Three other supporters of Barcelona , who is now the vice mayor of Escalante, were also killed in May, June and November last year, while another one, Brgy. Capt. Norberto Damalerio, was injured when his residence was attacked by a group of armed men in late 2007.

Franco said they still doubt the admission of the New People's Army that they were behind the liquidation of Alzado, also a rebel returnee. This was shared by the family of the victim.

While there are groups claiming to be behind the incident, he added that their investigations are still underway.

Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. said the killing of Alzado was an insurgency-related incident.

Franco lamented that the police were apparently being made “sacrificial lambs”. “We are doing everything for the solution of all (murder) cases and to improve the peace and order in the area,” he said.

Charlie Alzado, younger brother of Jury, has claimed that eight more supporters of Barcelona are reportedly being targeted for liquidation.

Franco said charges have been filed against suspects in the deaths of the supporters of Barcelona , while others are still pending investigations.

Troopers of the 611 th Provincial Mobile Group and 6 th Regional Mobile Group are assisting the local police in their visibility operations in the area.*GPB

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