Comelec Eyes Possible Intense Political Rivalry in Negros Oriental in 2016

Dumaguete City (PNA) — With the 2016 presidential and local elections just around the corner, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking into areas of concern in Negros Oriental due to intense political rivalry in the gubernatorial and congressional seats.

Provincial Election Officer Atty. Eddie Aba said the poll body is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in verifying and validating reports of possible areas of concern in the province, particularly in the southern and northern parts of the province.

This developed as Kagawad Jorlan Baylon, a witness in ambush slay in La Libertad, Negros Oriental, was killed by unidentified armed men Sunday around 7 in the evening while on his way home from a flea market in a nearby barangay.

Jorlan’s father, Lydio Baylon, then the village chief of Aya, and seven other civilians, were ambushed and killed in 2007 at the height of the elections.

Jorlan Baylon, a barangay kagawad of Barangay Aya, who is also a CAFGU member of the 12th SCAA being deployed in Negros Oriental, was among the fatalities in the 2007 ambush in Manluminsag, La Libertad.

La Libertad chief of police Police Inspector Michael Rubio said the victim came from the “tabo” or flea market in Barangay Cansumandig when waylaid by at least five armed men armed with high powered firearms while on board his motorcycle not far from his residence.

Since it was dark due to a power outage, witnesses could only see lights coming from flashlights at the crime scene, as if the suspects made sure he was dead.

Recovered from the crime scene were three spent empty shells for M14 riffle, live ammunition for a 12 gauge shot gun and spent shells for caliber .45 pistol.

Baylon was among those who survived the attack in 2007 while on board a truck of the municipality of La Libertad, and who testified and identified the culprits in court which resulted to the arrest of Fernando “Boy” Dorimon, considered as the most wanted in Region 7, and Sandalo Mongolore a.k.a. Randy, among others.

Three others who were charged with multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder for the ambuscade included Wilfredo Arellano, Tikyo Manait, William Paunilian and several other John Does.

Police Insp. Rubio said the police is looking into the possibility the ambush-slaying of the younger Baylon has something to do with the 2007 incident, even as Baylon is also active in the anti-insurgency campaign of the Philippine Army, being a CAFGU member.

It was during that year when then La Libertad Mayor Jocelyn Limkaichong won as representative of the 1stdistrict against Olive Paras, wife of then last termer Rep. Jacinto Paras.

Jocelyn Limkaichong has made pronouncements to be running for the 1st congressional district seat in 2016 after having lost in the gubernatorial race in 2013 to Gov. Roel Degamo.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Paulito Idul, commander of the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army based in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, disclosed that he believes there are two angles behind the killing of Jorlan Baylon, and most likely perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA).

First, the man was said to be closely associated with Vice Mayor Em-em Limkaichong of La Libertad and second, he was also an active CAFGU member.

According to Idul, the NPA has reduced its activities to engaging in common crimes instead of fighting for their ideology, and are targeting civilians and those who may be posing a threat to the NPA organization.

The area where Jorlan Baylon was killed is at the boundary of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental and a mobility point for the insurgents crossing from Negros Oriental or vice versa, Idul added. (PNA) LAP/JFP AND JG