AS HE visited the wake of the “Sagay 9” victims in Sagay City gymnasium yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol told the bereaved families that they would like to see to it that whoever is behind of the heinous crime will be brought to justice.

Piñol, in an interview at the RU Foundry in Bacolod City after his visit along with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, said the government would like to see an impartial investigation on the brutal killings.

On the evening of October 20, nine members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NSFW) were killed by unidentified armed men while occupying a portion of a privately owned land at Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City.

The victims included four women and two minors. Four of their companions survived the attack.

“I wanted to see for myself the families of the victims because some of them are actually farm workers,” he said, stressing that “I was not there to pass through my judgment of what happened.”

Piñol said that whatever he knows would not enough “besides investigations are being conducted by proper agencies.”

Though he did not disclose the amount, the DA chief said the agency initially extended financial assistance to the families.

Bobstel Sumicad, one of the survivors, will receive a boat engine from the DA and a carabao from Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr.

The families will also be availing livelihood assistance from the agriculture department, Piñol added.