Bacolod officials condemn killing of Ligaya

BACOLOD City Mayor Evelio Leonardia ordered the police to implement measures and solve the killing of Barangay 16 chief Nelson Ligaya Jr.

Leonardia said yesterday they were shocked and were concerned on what happened to Ligaya.

He said he already talked to Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting director Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), but as of yesterday, they cannot give a lead or identity of the suspects.

“They already created a Task Force Ligaya to hasten or fast-track the investigation and hopefully, as soon as it will be finished, we can share it to the public. I condole to the Ligaya family and the constituents of Barangay 16,” he added.

On Saturday night, Ligaya was shot dead by four unidentified assailants on two motorcycles in front of his store at Barangay 16.

The gunman and the motorcycle driver who were both wearing face masks then escaped.

Another motorcycle was seen at the corner of the street with two other men who were also wearing face masks and served as a lookout. They also fired shots to possibly divert the attention of the people nearby.

The BCPO earlier dismissed reports that Ligaya was the village chief involved in illegal drugs, as revealed by President Rodrigo Duterte when he visited the city during the 39th Masskara Festival in October.

Leonardia said that everything is just a speculation.

He said that even the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) did not give the name of the village chief who was mentioned by the President.

“The police should be more vigilant and to strictly enforce the riding-in-tandem ordinance. We should have that focus to avoid similar incidents and we should have more checkpoints to arrest the suspects,” he added.

The mayor pointed out that the BCPO should implement measures to avoid similar incidents.

Meanwhile, the City Council also approved a resolution condemning the killing of Ligaya Jr. and calling the BCPO to strictly enforce the bonnet and riding-in-tandem ordinances.

The resolution, authored by Councilor Renecito Novero, was approved during the regular session yesterday.*