MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) strongly condemned the brutal killing of nine people at a sugar farm in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Saturday night.
“The AFP strongly condemns and is deeply saddened by this violent incident that transpired in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City, Negros Occidental,” military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters Sunday.
Initial police reports said the fatalities were among the alleged members of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers (NFSW), who occupied the farm at Hacienda Nene in Purok Firetree on Saturday morning.
The male fatalities were identified as Eglicerio Villegas, 36; Paterno Baron, 48; Rene “Dodong” Laurencio; and Rannel “Bingbing” Bantigue, 41, while the females were Angelife Arsenal, 47; Morena Mendoza; and Marcelina “Necnec” Dumaguit.
The two minors were identified as Jomarie Ughayon Jr., 16, and Marchtel Sumicad, 17.
The bodies of Mendoza, Bantigue and Dumaguit were allegedly burned by the assailants, the police report said.
“We are one with the families and relatives of the reported nine individuals who perished in the shooting incident in seeking for an assurance that justice will be served to both the victims and the perpetrators,” he added.
Arevalo also said they are now awaiting the results of the official investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police. ( Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
