CHR conducting own probe into Sagay massacre

The Commission on Human Rights is looking at three angles in its investigation into the massacre of nine sugar farmers in Sagay, Negros Occidental.

In an interview on Balitanghali, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline De Guia said that based on the initial report of the commission’s quick response team, one of the angles they are looking into is a possible land dispute.

“Tinitignan natin kung ito po ba ay alitan sa lupa, at kung meron bang mga armed goons or mga ibang grupo na ginagamit ng mga landlord,” De Guia said.

The police had earlier floated the idea of a land dispute as the reason for the killings, while the Negros Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) has said that the owner of the plantation where the massacre occurred "maintains a number of goons," as a statement by Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares put it.

The second angle the CHR is considering is a military or law enforcement encounter.

“Kaya nga lang, sa anggulong ito, ang pagsusunog sa mga bangkay at tsaka yung 13 stab wounds, hindi 'yan nangyayari sa encounter normally,” De Guia said, referring to the fact that one of the victims was stabbed 13 times, while some of the bodies were doused with gasoline and burned.

The involvement of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary is the third possibility the CHR is considering, because of an allegation that the victims were members of the rebel group New People’s Army (NPA).

“Kahapon, ang aming quick response team ay nakarating na doon sa pinangyarihan ng insidente at nakakuha na sila ng mga sinumpaang salaysay ng mga testigo. Ganun din yung pakikipanayam nila sa relevant government agencies tulad ng Philippine National Police at DAR [Department of Agrarian Reform],” De Guia said.

“Lumalabas na lima doon sa mga namatay ay hindi naman kasapi noong grupong [Negros Federation of Sugar Workers] iyon,” she added.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, regional director of the PNP in Western Visayas, said Monday that the victims of the massacre were newly recruited members of NFSW, which they believe is a front for the NPA.

De Guia added that any lapses in the official investigation will also be part of the commission's probe.

“Kasama sa layunin ng CHR investigation ay maghain ng policy recommendation para sa hinaharap. Para makabalangkas tayo ng mas maayos na polisiya para maiwasan ang ganitong tampering at yung nakokompromiso 'yung ating crime scene,” De Guia said. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News