Hacienda killings due to land conflict; P500,000 reward up

Maranon and Rodolfo Castil
Maranon and Rodolfo Castil

SAGAY CITY -- Nine farmers, including four women and two minors, were killed due to a land conflict in Hacienda Nene at Barangay Bulanon here, Saturday night.

It was allegedly perpetrated by suspected members of another faction of farm workers belonging to the labor group who has connections with the armed group in the area.

Killed were Eglicerio Villegas, 36 and his common-law wife Angelipe Arsenal, 47; Paterno Baron, 48; Rene Laurencio, 53 Marcelina Dumaguit, 56; Rommel Bantigue; Morena Mendoza all of Barangay Plaridel; Jomarie Ughayon, Jr., 16 and Marchtel Sumicad, 17, both residents of Barangay Bulanon.

They were members of the National Federation of Sugarcane Workers (NFSW).

Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., provincial police director, said the victims were inside their makeshift tent at the newly-harvested sugarcane farm when they were “selectively shot” by the suspects.

He said it was a selective shooting because a total of 11 persons were inside the makeshift tent, nine were killed while the two including a minor were able to escape. One of the survivors was identified as Danilo Cañete.

Chief Inspector Robert Mansueto, chief of Sagay City Police Station, said the victims, based on the accounts of their families, were called in a meeting by NFSW organizers identified as Rene Manlangit and Rogelio Arquillo at the area Saturday morning.

Prior to the incident that night, the two organizers, who were at the makeshift tent, just left before the shooting to charge their cellphones in the neighboring house.

He said that most of the victims sustained several gunshot wounds on their bodies including their heads while there was one male and two female victims who were partially burned.

Earlier reports said that around 40 armed men were seen in the area but based on the accounts of the survivors and on the spent shells recovered, there were only five to seven suspects who perpetrated the shooting.

Of the nine victims, six bodies were recovered inside the makeshift tent while the three others were found outside the tent.

Canete, the police said, was able to survive after he sought cover at the pile of rice sacks inside the tent and was able to run to the nearby houses that's why gun holes were also seen in the said houses as the suspects ran after him.

Recovered from the crime scene were 22 empty shells of M16 armalite rifle and .45 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber revolver which was recovered from one of the victims and cellphones.

Reward

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who immediately proceeded to Sagay City Sunday after learning of the incident, condemned the killing.

He said Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, his son, offered P250,000 reward while the Provincial Government will also have a counterpart of P250,000, or a total of P500,000, as a reward to anybody who could give information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects.

"I condemn to the strongest possible terms such act. I order the police to conduct a deeper investigation into the crime,” the governor said.

The governor also said that he ordered the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to provide the necessary assistance to the families of the victims including the burial of the victims.

The Sagay City government will also extend assistance, he added.

Mayor Marañon, for his part, said: "We detest under strongest possible terms the senseless killing in Barangay Bulanon that has claimed nine lives.”

“We are working closely with the police to identify and find the perpetrators. I pray for justice to the victims.”

Persons of interest

Mansueto said they already have the identity of the suspects but he cannot reveal their names yet as it is still subject to further investigation.

The suspects, he said, are former farm workers of Hacienda Nene. The hacienda is owned by Carmina Tolentino and is being leased by her daughter, Atty. Bubbles Tolentino.

He said the conflict triggered as the former farm workers have already a Deed of Donation from the landowner.

"When the NFSW entered the area, the former farm workers also belonging to NFSW and Task Force Mapalad may fear that the land will be awarded to the other faction of NFSW,” Mansueto said.

He said there were already previous cases of harassment in other areas like Barangays Plaridel, Tabao and Bulanon and that the suspects have connections with the armed group.

However, those who were killed were not beneficiaries of the hacienda and that nobody is holding the Certificate of Land Ownership Award yet as the area is only at the Notice of Coverage (NOC) stage, he said.

Mansueto said they will check with the Department of Agrarian Reform on the status of the hacienda today.

Meanwhile, Bobstel Sumicad, father of one of the victims, said he survived the incident because he left the makeshift tent to answer the call of nature at the nearby sugarcane plantation.

He said he did not see the suspects but only heard a gunfire and somebody said, "ah madalagan ka pa ha," then heard another gunfire.

He said he was worried of his son and prayed he will be spared.

Mansueto said Manlangit and Arquillo were also subjected to paraffin test including the victims to determine if there was an exchange of fire because a .38 caliber revolver was recovered from one of the victims.

The victims were shot by the suspects with a distance of 120 to 140 meters, Mansueto added.

He also clarified that the police immediately responded to the crime scene Saturday night.

Barangay Bulanon is about 12 kilometers from the Poblacion and the crime scene could be reached in a walking distance of less than a kilometer.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph