SAGAY CITY, Negros Occidental – Local police were obtaining statements from the landowner, lessor and recipients of the sugarcane farm where the “Sagay 9” massacre took place last month in Negros Occidental as part of an ongoing investigation.
Investigators have met with these individuals several time and were almost done securing their statements, Chief Inspector Robert Mansueto, local police head, told a news conference in Balay Kauswagan.
“The initial documents are with us. We just want to say that we have done our job before we file the case,” he said.
On Oct. 26 the Sagay City police filed a multiple murder case before the Sagay City Prosecutor’s Office against Rene Manlangit and Rogelio Arquillo, identified as recruiters of the National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW), and seven other unidentified persons.
During the news conference, Mansueto dismissed allegations that the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) excluded the landowners in the investigation.
Investigators, he stressed, could not have obtained the lease contract and other related documents if they ignored the landowner and the lessor.
“We have told the families it (land dispute) is still one of the angles we are focusing on. It is not being ignored,” he added.
Police were looking into three possible perpetrators:
* the landowner, possibly using hired goons
* the legitimate claimants
* the New People’s Army, with the aim of discrediting the government, the military and the police
The nine casualties, identified as members of the NFSW, were Eglicerio Villegas, Angelife Arsenal, Rene Laurencio Sr., Paterno Baron, Morena Mendoza, Marcelina Dumaguit, Rannel Bantigue, and minors Marchtel Sumikad and Joemarie Ogahayon.
They were killed in the evening of Oct. 20 at Hacienda Nene, Purok Firetree in Barangay Bulanon.
In a case report presented last month, the SITG said the farmland in Hacienda Nene – 34.59 hectares, based on the land title – had been donated by owner Carmen de la Paz Tolentino to 25 individuals. Allan Simbingco has been identified as the lessor.
Meanwhile, the victims’ families, who also attended the news conference, denied knowing or having met the slain lawyer Benjamin Ramos Jr., who was reported as one of their legal counsels.
One of the relatives said the only lawyer they have met in connection with the case was City Prosecutor Ronald Yngson.
Another relative insisted they have not met Ramos and do not want the issue of his death to take away the focus on the investigation into the massacre. (With Philippine News Agency)
