Duterte to visit wake of 9 farmers killed in Negros Occidental

President Rodrigo Duterte will visit the wake of nine sugarcane farmers murdered by unidentified armed men in a plantation in Sagay City, Negros Occidental.

Former Special Asst to the President Christopher “Bong” Go confirmed this to reporters on Monday.

Police have identified the victims as Eglicerio Cambannga Villegas, 36; Angeliffa Dumaguit Arsenal, 47; Paterno Baroy, 48; Rene Laurencio Sr.; Morena Mendoza, 48; Marcelina Dumaguit; Rommel Bantigue, 41; Jomarie Oghayon, 16; and Marchtel Sumicad, 17, who were all members of the Negros Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW).

READ: 9 sugarcane workers gunned down in Negros Occidental

The Philippine National Police is blaming the communist rebels for the killings but militant lawmakers suspect the military and militia forces were behind the massacre.

Go said Duterte wanted to know what really happened to the nine farmers.

“Tinitingnan niya kung ano po ang nangyari,” he said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

Malacañang earlier condemned the killing, assuring the victims of the “full wrath of the law” against the perpetrators. /je

READ: Malacañang condemns Negros hacienda massacre