Two members of a fact-finding team for the Central Visayas chapter of Karapatan, an alliance of human rights organizations, were killed, while another was wounded, after being ambushed by unidentified gunmen in Barangay Nangka, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Tuesday afternoon.

Police identified the fatalities as Elisa Badayos and Eleuterio Moises, who reportedly was serving as the team’s security.

Bayawan City police said the team was heading towards the Barangay Nangka Hall when five unidentified gunmen opened fire at the group.

The gunmen then immediately retreated after spotting members of the police were with the group.

In a statement by Karapatan-Central Visayas member Fritzie Bamollino, they were in the area to investigate claims local farmers were being harassed by armed groups.

Bamollino accused Bayawan City Mayor Rene Gaudiel, Sr. of being responsible for the attack, claiming it was his “armed goons” harassing the farmers.

The group accused him of trying to claim land in the area.

City police, meanwhile, are still conducting a follow-up operation against the suspects./DGB, WDJ