NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. created on Friday, October 26, Special Task Force Hustisya to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation on the killing of nine sugarcane workers in Sagay City on October 20.
Marañon said the task force will ensure that those responsible “will be brought before the bar of justice, together with those who planned, organized, agitated and manipulated the poor farmers and sugar workers.”
The task force shall be composed of the representative of the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of San Carlos and Bacolod, Provincial Attorney’s Office, provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform and with close cooperation with the Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation and DAR national office.
"I will resolutely work that justice will be served and no amount of intimidation or threat can prevent me from bringing before the bar of justice those who are responsible and involved in ‘Sagay 9’ incident," Marañon said.
On the night of October 20, nine farmers who were taking a rest in a tent after their annual “Bungkalan” at an idle land in Hacienda Nene were shot by more or less 10 armed assailants. The fatalities include four women and two minors.
The police and the communists are blaming each other for the gruesome killings where three of the fatalities were set on fire and burned.
Marañon said as a father of the province of Negros Occidental, and his family, “our hearts bleed for such unfortunate incident.”
“Therefore, we are in solidarity with the family of the victims to demand justice with urgency and decisiveness," Marañon said in a statement.
The governor earlier announced a P500,000 reward for those who can provide information on the suspects.
For his part, Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the Provincial Board are one in seeking justice for the victims and the swift arrest of the suspects.
The police are still investigating the incident.