“IN A civilized society like ours, shooting, whether it resulted in the death of the victim or not, should always cause an alarm.”

This was stressed by Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) Chief Executive Officer Frank Carbon as he expressed alarm over the series of killings in Bacolod City.

Carbon said these incidents should not be treated as isolated cases or downgraded as everyday events.

“All shooting incidents should be investigated thoroughly and analyzed for it may point to a much bigger societal problem,” he said, adding that “more especially in this time of crisis of global proportion, where socio-economic malady permeates the whole gamut of the society.”

Since January 2021, there have been at least seven shooting incidents that happened in the city, mostly involving “riding-in-tandem” assailants.

The latest was the murder of a 29-year-old woman near a mall along North Capitol Road in the city Saturday evening.

The victim, Medelyn Benignos, was shot to death by suspects on board a motorcycle while she was riding a tricycle on her way home to Barangay 2.

Just four days prior, on February 16, a shooting incident also transpired in Barangay 2.

A lone suspect killed 29-year-old Rhanz Morre Banias and injured the victim’s live-in partner, Mary Liza Pahamutang, 36.

On February 10, Salvador Regalado, 42, an alleged drug peddler, was shot dead at the city’s Reclamation Area. The suspects were also onboard a motorcycle.

On February 3, a twin killing occurred in the city in just two hours.

Around 7 a.m., 23-year-old Angelica Montalvo was shot to death by an alleged holdupper inside her vehicle along Circumferential Road in Barangay Tangub.

At 9 a.m., 62-year-old Gerome Sientos, an alleged asset of the National Bureau of Investigation, was killed by “riding-in-tandem” suspects while standing in front of a store at Barangay 29.

On the evening of January 12, a money lender was also shot to death inside his house in Barangay Alijis. The victim, 59-year-old Joeffrey Parandas, was killed by three suspects.

On January 6, tricycle driver Noel Peraren, 54, was also shot by motorcycle-riding suspects.

Authorities were eyeing illegal drugs, work and grudges, among others, as motives in these killings. Most of these crimes are yet to be resolved.

For the business sector, the increase in lawlessness results in a decrease in business activities and loss of jobs and livelihood.

Carbon said health issues and an increase in crimes are interrelated, and if put together, will result in a disaster.

He said the business group will sit down with Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Acting Director Colonel Placido to discuss their concerns especially on the peace and order situation of the city.

“I think it’s about time the business community should meet the new BCPO head. We have lots of topics to discuss,” Carbon said, adding that one is the “motorized street crime operatives” wherein the businesses sector could help the police force revive the unit.