Philippine Govt Condemns Killing Of Farm Workers

The Philippine government has condemned the killing of nine sugarcane workers, including two minors, in central Philippines, calling the bloodshed “dastardly” and “extremely cruel.”

Oscar Albayalde, the Chief Director-General of the Philippine National Police (PNP), promised to apprehend the suspects.

According to police investigators, unidentified armed men shot and killed the nine workers at about 9:45 p.m. on Saturday as they rested at the Hacienda Nene in Purok Firetree in Sagay City, Negros Occidental province.

“The Presidential Palace is deeply perturbed to learn about the incident.

“The PNP has already been ordered to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation on this dastardly act,” Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, Salvador Panelo, said.

The workers allegedly occupied an agricultural farm in Hacienda Nene, a day after the owner of the farm harvested sugarcane.

Three of the workers who died were allegedly burned by the suspects.

The Sagay City Police Station said investigators were eyeing land conflict as the motive of the incident.

“Families of the victims of this extremely cruel act can count on the government that it will enforce the full wrath of the law against its perpetrators,” Panelo said.