By LITO RULONA Correspondent THE provincial board on Monday sounded alarm bells over the spate of mysterious killings in the towns of Tagoloan and Villanueva even as it decided to summon the province’s top police official and two municipal police chiefs. Summoned were provincial police director Senior Supt. Sukarno Alvarez, and Chief Insp. Albart Tare and Senior Insp. Rodney Gaid, chiefs of police of Tagoloan and Villanueva, respectively. Provincial board members said the police officials need to shed light on the recent shooting deaths carried out by still unidentified gunmen on motorcycles. Provincial board member Gerardo Sabal III, who proposed the summon through a resolution, expressed alarm over the killings, saying the were said to be suspected drug dealers. Sabal said he was prodded to bring the matter to the attention of the province’s legislature because of radio commentaries about the “unexplained killings... particularly in the two municipalities.” Sabal said Alvarez, being the provincial police director, should update the provincial board about the status of the investigation into the killings. “This is very alarming, and happening right in the thickly populated municipalities in the eastern part,” he said. Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez said the provincial board wants to be enlightened, and wants the police to prevent similar killings from taking place in the province. “The police should explain this. We are all vulnerable,” said Pelaez. He said he was worried that if left unchecked, the same kind of attacks would be carried out against public officials. Lawyer Web Bajenio, spokesman of the provincial police office, welcomed the summon, pointing out that it is the responsibility of the provincial board to demand an explanation from the police when crimes are being committed. He said the police understands that the move was in aid of legislation. Bajenio said it is also the responsibility of the police to inform local officials about the “unpredictable incidents.” But he assured that the Misamis Oriental police adheres to the rules of engagement whenever there is a police operation. “Kung mosukol ang suspect during an operation, walay mahimo ang atong kapolisan mao lamang ang pag-depensa sa ilang kaugalingon. Mao nga ang usahay nga panghitabo mapatay gayud ang suspect. It is all defense,” he said. Bajenio said the provincial police would also take the opportunity to ask Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano and other provincial officials for support.