House resolution introduced seeking inquiry

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri called for an in-depth probe into the shootings in Sagay City over the weekend that claimed the lives of nine National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) farmers.

In a statement forwarded to local media, the senator condemned the killings.

Zubiri also revealed landowners expressed a willingness to talk with the government, specifically the police.

He also called the P500,000 bounty offered by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. and his son, Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, against the perpetrators a “positive development.”

“I hope [this] will lead to the early resolution of the case,” Zubiri said.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez recently introduced a resolution before the House of Representatives calling for an inquiry into the incident.

The resolution condemned the incident and said authorities must “hasten investigations.”

While Sagay City police chief, Police Chief Inspector Roberto Mansueto, believes the incident most likely occurred because of a land dispute, some have come out and blamed President Rodrigo Duterte.

Shortly after the shooting, NFSW put out a statement, noting, the Duterte administration has made the intimidation, harassment, and killing of activists and critics “state policy.” More recently, senatorial candidate, former Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares, also blamed the government.

He said in a statement, “This is an attempt [by] the Duterte government to quell any form of protest.”

The former legislator also demanded an investigation into the matter./WDJ