BY RANILLO S.AZUE
BACOLOD City – Gov. Alfredo Maraņon Jr. of Negros Occidental is offering a reward of half a million pesos to whoever could give information leading to the arrest of the killers of a British national in Sipalay City.
Sixty-four-year-old businessman Anthony Nicholas was shot on Monday night. He owned several businesses in Sipalay City, southern Negros Occidental.
Maraņon ordered the Sipalay police to hasten the investigation.
He also asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a parallel probe.
Maraņon considered the case an “isolated incident” but did not discount the possibility that it will adversely affect his province’s tourism industry.
Nicholas, married to a Filipina, ran a beach resort, a grocery store and pension house in Sipalay City.
“We have been trying very hard to promote our province to tourists and investors,” said Maraņon.
Mayor Oscar Montilla Jr. of Sipalay City assured Negrenses, tourists and businessmen that the local police is on top of the situation.
Sipalay City boasts of many white sand beaches and world-class dive sites. Its Campomanes Bay and Punta Ballo Beach are frequently visited by divers and other adventure-seekers.
Resort owners who are mostly foreigners sought an audience with Montilla right after the killing.
Paul Platt, a Canadian national and owner of a resort and restaurant in Sipalay City, said the death of his friend Nicholas saddened him. But he expressed confidence that justice will be served.
Platt also believes that the incident will not affect the province’s tourism industry.
He said he will continue convincing friends abroad to visit Sipalay City./PN
