Following the spate of killings in Negros province, senators on Tuesday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to seriously investigate the anti-communist group Kawsa Guihulnganon Batok Komunista (KAGUBAK) and ensure the safety of the personalities included in the group’s hit list.

The call was made during the Senate hearing of the Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee, as senators said that five of the 15 people included in the KAGUBAK hit list were killed – which proved that there was some truth to the list.

Among those killed were: lawyer Anthony Trinidad, who was number 14 on the list; Heidi Malalay Flores who was 11th on the list; Roberto Caday, 12th; and Boy Litong and his son, who was accused of being a member of an NPA unit, both as number 15.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, committee chairman, said the members of KAGUBAK should be identified and be held accountable for the deaths.

Meantime, Region 7 Police director Brigadier General Debold Sinas denied reports that local police in the Negros region are involved in the killings.

“I could assure you no PNP (police officer) was involved in the killings. We are not involved in any of these killing that are being investigated,” Sinas said.

Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said the regional police office should account for the persons on the list and make sure they were alive.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, on the other hand, assured the committee that he would coordinate with Guihulngan Mayor Guido Reyes and Sinas to protect the 10 people on the list.

Degamo would also work for the dismantling of KAGUBAK.