Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered the immediate suspension of work across all offices inside and surrounding the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 9, following an alleged direct shooting threat targeted at government personnel.
The emergency shutdown was prompted by a security breach involving a private individual who allegedly threatened to shoot provincial government workers, the governor’s memorandum said.
In issuing the order, Lacson emphasized that the immediate danger posed to staff, officials, and visitors demanded paramount consideration, noting that the incident had already severely disrupted the normal delivery of public services.
Invoking the general welfare powers granted under Section 16 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160), the governor halted operations effective immediately to safeguard lives and restore order around the Capitol grounds. All provincial personnel were instructed to maintain heightened vigilance and strictly observe safety guidelines mandated by security authorities.
To address the traumatic impact of the threat, the Provincial Human Resource and Management Office was directed to conduct immediate psychological counseling, support, and mental health assessments for affected employees, the governor said.
Meanwhile, vital frontline operations—including emergency response, disaster risk management, health services, and peace and order maintenance—will continue functioning to ensure uninterrupted public safety.
Provincial Legal Officer Alberto Nellas Jr. said work was suspended because the private individual threatened to shoot provincial government employees because he wanted to pull out of his documents from the office of Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II.
He was asked for a receiving copy of his documents, which he did not produce, and he got angry, uttered bad words and threatened to shoot the employees of the Capitol, Nellas said.
The provincial Capitol guards made the private individual leave the building. We will draft a complaint against the private individual, Nellas said.
The documents the private individual was seeking allegedly involved the bulk water project.
DIGICAST NEGROS is withholding the name of the private individual pending his reply.
PMaj. Rondyl Tapang, Station 2 commander, said they are investigating the grave threat report.
They will hear both sides, he said, adding that if there was a crime committed that will be legal repercussions.
There is no CCTV recording, there were only verbal allegations, he said.
DIGICAST NEGROS is withholding the name of the private individual pending his reply.*.
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