House Agriculture committee chair and ANAC-IP Rep. Jose T. Panganiban, Jr., denounced the killing of nine sugar farmers in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, over a supposed land dispute.
“We denounce this despicable and heartless crime committed on our farmers. Nakikiramay kami sa mga kaanak ng mga nasawi at nakikiisa sa tawag para sa hustisya (We condole with the families of those slain and join the calls for justice),” said Panganiban.
Panganiban called for an impartial probe to get to the bottom of the issue, stressing that “no stone should be left unturned by the police in their investigation.”
“What happened is a massacre, plain and simple, which should have no place in any civilized society,” Panganiban added.
“What happened is a massacre, plain and simple, which should have no place in any civilized society.”
Panganiban added that the deaths of the nine farmers, said to be newly-recruited members of the Negros Foundation Sugar Workers––and which include two minors and three women––should open the people’s eyes to the stark realities faced by farmers.
“I hope this tragedy emphasizes how far we still have to go in establishing the welfare of our farmers and achieving genuine agrarian reform,” said the solon representing Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
“I hope this tragedy emphasizes how far we still have to go in establishing the welfare of our farmers and achieving genuine agrarian reform,” said the solon representing IPs.”
“As much as we demand justice for the victims of this massacre, may we also exhaust all avenues in laying the groundwork so that our farmers can live in peace and decency as they ensure our nation’s food security,” he added.
