NPA denies involvement

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) yesterday “strongly” condemned the killing of nine National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) farmers in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City.

NOPPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., said, based on the latest update from investigators, there were approximated 12 armed individuals involved and not the 40 that was earlier reported.

The NOPPO chief said the victims were recruited by a “cause-oriented group,” noting, suspicions have shifted to the recruiter, who reportedly disappeared minutes before the attack.

He also noted, the shooting was not done indiscriminately, as reported by some media outlets, but that the gunmen were “selective.”

Castil also did not discount the possibility  of New People’s Army (NPA) involvement, done as a means to draw attention and sympathy.

The NPA Leonardo Panaligan Command, meanwhile, issued a statement denying any involvement and slammed 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Brigadier General Eliezer Losañes, for spreading “malicious information” about NFSW land cultivation activities.

They also condemned police for indicating their organization in the incident and called on all law enforcement to “protect the peasant farmers at all costs.”

Last Sunday, gunmen opened fire on a tent occupied by NFSW farmers, claiming the lives of nine people.

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

An ongoing land conflict is currently still being considered as the primary motive./DGB, WDJ