BACOLOD CITY – The Diocese of Bacolod condemned the killing of Guihulngan City health officer Dr. Mary Rose Sancelan and her husband Edwin in Negros Oriental.
The couple was gunned down by unidentified assailants on their way home in Barangay Poblacion on December 15.
Karapatan Negros Island, earlier said that Dr. Sancelan was reportedly named number one in the so called “hitlist” of KAGUBAK, an anti-communist vigilante group in the province.
She was also tagged as an alleged spokesperson of the Leonardo Panaligan Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) in central Negros, according to the group.
Bishop Patricio Buzon, in a statement, said the Diocese of Bacolod believes that the killing of a health worker at a time of great difficulty due to the pandemic is one deplorable act worthy of no less than a public condemnation.
Buzon said that Dr. Sancelan was said to be a “courageous and dedicated frontliner,” who was instrumental in placing under control the previous spike of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the city in November.
Buzon said that the Diocese of Bacolod reiterates its stand for life and the welfare of the people. It also upholds the well-being especially of those who are bringing basic services to the communities in dire need, like our health workers.
Moreover, the Diocese denounces all forms of extrajudicial killings, it decries indiscriminate “red-tagging,” and it deplores the apparent impunity among the perpetrators and enablers of the escalating violence not just in Guihulngan City, but also in other parts of Negros island. (Glazyl Masculino)
