At least nine National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) farmers were murdered late Saturday night by around 40 armed men at Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City.

Police identified the fatalities as Eglicerio Villegas, Angelipe Arsenal, Dodong Laurencio, Morena Mendoza, Necnec Dumaguit, and Bingbing Bantigue; two 17 year olds, Jomarie Ughayon, Jr. and Marchtel Sumicad; along with one individual who went by the alias “Pater.”

All the victims were residents of the said city.

Based on statements provided by survivors of the incident, Sagay City police chief, Police Chief Inspector Robert Mansueto, said the victims set up camp on land owned by a certain Carmen Tolentino, which is currently being leased by an individual only known as “Sumbingco.”

As the victims were resting inside a tent, the assailant arrived and began shooting.

Among those killed, some were shot in the head, while at least three were burned by the suspects following the initial attack.

Five managed to escape.

Response teams were hampered by terrain as the scene of the crime operatives-special action force, along with investigators, were forced to disembark their vehicles and walk to the crime scene, which was located deep inside a sugarcane plantation.

Police recovered 12 empty 5.56 caliber cartridges, seven empty .45 caliber cartridges, and one empty .38 caliber cartridge from the crime scene.

Following the incident, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and his son, Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, each set up a P250,000 bounty for anybody who can provide information as to the whereabouts of the suspects.

Investigators, meanwhile, suspect the massacre stemmed from an ongoing land conflict./DGB, WDJ