By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – “That will be a learning lesson not just for the barangays but the whole Negros Island Region (NIR).”
This was the statement of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia when asked about the Election Day shooting in Silay City during the May 12 midterm polls that left two people dead and seven others injured.
Garcia, who was in Bacolod City on Monday to assess the post-midterm elections in Negros Occidental, said he was saddened by the violence in the province.
However, he said the incident should not dictate the Comelec’s actions for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in December.
“Despite the incident in Silay, we believe the Comelec should act based on what this year’s BSKE will be, not on the past,” Garcia said in a press briefing at Seda Hotel.
Last month, police filed murder and frustrated murder complaints against a barangay captain and three others in connection with the incident.
Garcia said the case will be handled properly and that authorities hope to resolve it promptly.
Barangay Lantad, Silay City captain Arnie Benedicto and three John Does were allegedly involved in the shooting, which took place in Barangay Mambulac.
An investigation revealed the victims, believed to be supporters of reelected Mayor Joedith Gallego, were allegedly shot by the suspects aboard a van reportedly driven by Benedicto, who was also seen by witnesses allegedly firing a shot before fleeing with his companions.
Silay police initially classified the case as election-related, as both parties were reportedly political opponents, though authorities have withheld further details since the case is now in court.
Police Capt. Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said Benedicto is in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Negros Occidental following his voluntary surrender hours after the incident.
On May 22, authorities searched a house believed to have been used as a temporary hideout by the suspects after the attack.
Police had attempted to search the property earlier but were unable to secure a court order on the same day of the shooting.
Catalogo said only a fired cartridge from a .45-caliber firearm was recovered inside the empty property, which was being managed by a caretaker.
He added that they are awaiting results from a ballistic examination to determine whether the cartridge matches those found at the crime scene or was fired separately.
Catalogo said investigators are carefully gathering evidence to ensure strong legal grounds for filing additional charges.
Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. echoed Garcia’s sentiment, saying the Comelec will not allow past incidents to solely shape future actions but also emphasized the importance of accountability.
He stressed that they will not forget what happened in Silay, especially since the violence reportedly stemmed from vote-buying concerns.
“I think the citizens there were more vigilant in defending their rights and were watching for vote buying they believed was about to occur,” Maceda said.
“It is bittersweet — the vote buying didn’t happen, but it cost lives,” he added.
Maceda said Comelec will closely monitor the area where the shooting occurred to ensure safety during the BSKE.
“We will make sure that such an incident will not happen again,” he said.
The Silay shooting was considered an isolated case, and a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has been formed to lead the probe.
Garcia said that under a Supreme Court ruling, barangay officials may support and campaign for candidates as long as they do not use barangay funds, resources or the name of the barangay.
“We have no choice. The Comelec must follow it,” he said.
He added that no areas in the NIR were placed under Comelec control during the midterm elections since the region generated quick results and held generally peaceful and orderly polls.
Garcia also said local officials are allowed to endorse BSKE candidates, provided they do not use government resources.
“Wala ring nagbabawal na magtaas sila ng kamay or mag-endorse din sila,” he added.
However, he warned that any BSKE candidate who files a certificate of candidacy (COC) between Oct. 1 and 7 and engages in premature campaigning will face charges from Comelec.
He said candidates may only campaign during the official period in November.
