ILOILO CITY — Local and national officials have put up a combined P75,000 cash reward to speed up the arrest of those behind the brutal stoning of three young siblings in Hacienda Badiang, Barangay Hda. E. Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental last Friday night.

Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego offered P25,000, while Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez added P50,000 for information that will directly lead to the suspect’s arrest.

The reward comes as police intensify their investigation into the attack that left a nine-year-old girl dead, while her 14-year-old sister and four-year-old brother remain in critical condition.

Silay City Police chief Lt. Col. Edison Garcia said authorities are now zeroing in on a person of interest, and urged residents of Hacienda Badiang and nearby areas to come forward.

“This case can be solved faster with public cooperation,” Garcia said, noting that even the smallest detail could help break the case.

Police found no signs of robbery inside the house, with no valuables missing. However, investigators recovered two stones inside the room, along with two mobile phones, one of which appeared to have been smashed — possibly used as a blunt object during the attack.

Initial findings showed the children were alone at the time of the incident. Their father, who works in Barangay Mansilingan in Bacolod City, was unable to return home because of heavy rain. Their mother is currently working in Saudi Arabia.

A neighbor who rushed to the scene told police that the eldest child’s clothing appeared disturbed, while the youngest was found lying close to the sibling who died.

Benitez condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous crime against defenseless children,” and said the reward shows the government’s determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.