THE Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is set to file a resolution seeking to investigate the killing of nine farmers in Hacienda Nene in Barangay Bulanon, Sagay City in Negros Occidental last Saturday, October 20.
Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao announced this in a statement on Sunday, October 21.
"Anakpawis demands justice for the Sagay 9 massacre victims. Swift and impartial investigation should immediately be conducted. Part of the effort, the Anakpawis and the Makbayan bloc will file a House Resolution to investigate the massacre," Casilao said.
According to the National Federation of Sugar (NFSW), their members who were gunned down were part of the union that occupied the sugarcane plantation on Saturday morning as part of “Bungkalan”, a campaign to till lands covered by but remained undistributed under the agrarian reform program.
The NFSW has condemned the killing of its members who included four women and two minors.
Kabataan Party-list, in a statement, claimed that a total of 168 farmers have been killed under the Duterte administration.
"These killings happened while there is a vehement call for genuine land reform and national industrialization yet no action taken by the government," the group said.
Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago called on every Filipino to stand united among the already oppresed toilling masses and condemn these acts of terror and impunity.
The police are now looking into the incident in Sagay.
A P500,000 reward will be given to anyone who can give information on the whereabouts of the perpetrators, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. announced earlier in the day. (Keith A. Calayag/SunStar Philippines)